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Deliberate practice makes changes in your golf game

Alison Curdt

We’ll all heard the saying: “Perfect practice makes perfect.” Well, with perfectionism being unattainable in golf, I would challenge that saying and introduce: “Deliberate practice makes changes.”

To improve aspects of your golf game, you expect to make changes. Whether that’s with help from a coach, or something you have researched about your game, to improve you typically have to make a positive change in your game.

But how long does it actually take to make a change in your golf swing? The answer is: It’s different for everybody. Some researchers say 10,000 hours of deliberate practice makes one an expert.

But what if you are just wanting to improve swing path, rotation, or alignment? The key piece is “deliberate.”

There obviously has to be multiple repetitions the body goes through to build a new motor pattern (some of you may call this muscle memory, but muscles do not have memory), however deliberateness and focus on the change is paramount.

If you are working on turning the trail hip deeper in your backswing you must fully commit and focus on that sole aspect for multiple repetitions. Most amateurs will do this for a couple of swings and then redirect their attention to another part of their body, such as the finish or rotation of the hands.

So, what does this all mean? Pick one thing and stick to it until you have mastered it. Be in tune with what your body is feeling during the change and come up with a statement that you can use to describe this experience, such as “turn deeper.” Repeat the statement each and every time you strike the ball while you are mastering the move.

This may take you a couple of weeks if you like to practice a lot, or this may take you a few months if you only get to practice once in awhile. Being deliberate and focused during your practice session will accelerate the process. The mind must be engaged if you want the change to happen in the body.

Alison Curdt is a PGA Master Professional and LPGA Class Professional at Wood Ranch Golf Club. For golf instruction and mental coaching contact her at