Knew it, but can't do it.

Why do people have trouble to accomplish what they know and try to do or avoid, especially on the golf course?

For example, delay the release, "sustain the lag", keep the left wrist flat and right wrist bent through impact, steady head, complete follow through, swing "inside-out"....., a long list of dos and don'ts.

Thanks for the attentiion.

Just because you understand something, does not guarantee you can execute it. Although understanding is the first step, the ability to remember, have the correct information and most importantly the ability to absorb and apply the first three are all part of the process. If the computer isn't properly programed the body (through feels) can not execute.

Originally Posted by bts

Why do people have trouble to accomplish what they know and try to do or avoid, especially on the golf course?

Most poor performers -- in any physical activity -- have not translated Conscious Mechanics into Subconscious Feels. And the few that have do not trust their work. Instead, they continue to allow the conscious mind to interfere with subconscious performance.

The next time you tie your shoelaces, deliberately think about what you are doing. Start by simply thinking -- before you make a move -- about the process in detail. Which lace do you pick up first? Which one crosses over which? How do you make the 'bunny ear'? Exactly what does each hand do? Think about the entire, entangling process. Then, think your way through each step as you perform it mechanically.



Next, forget all that and just tie your shoes.



Question: Were you as effective when your conscious mind controlled the task (deliberately and laboriously) as when your subconscious did the job (automatically and effortlessly)?

My guess is that you were not. Does that mean that you never had to think about each step along the way? Of course not. There is no substitute for the learning process. But, effective learning and effective performing are two different things.

Golf is the same way.

I remember hearing a story (I believe from Lynn) about a concert pianist that didn�t practice for days before going to a recording session. When asked why he didn�t practice, he said the fingers have nothing to do with playing the piano.

Don't forget muscle "memory".
As another member posted recently, there is no such thing as muscle memory as muscles don't possess memory. It is the conditioning of the nervous system through repeated correct motions that builds and optimizes the nerve pathways to repeatable muscle actions.

So even though the concert pianist doesn't need to do physical practice in order to play on stage, its only because he has conditioned his arms, hands and fingers to respond to the notes and timing in his head...subconsciously.

As golfers, we need to practice doing the right movements over and over until the conditioning is automatic. Unfortuately, we can also program the wrong movements into our swing and overcoming those "engrained habits" with new habits takes a great deal of time and effort.

Originally Posted by drewitgolf

I remember hearing a story (I believe from Lynn) about a concert pianist that didn’t practice for days before going to a recording session. When asked why he didn’t practice, he said the fingers have nothing to do with playing the piano.

The pianist was the brilliant Canadian performer, Glenn Gould (1932-1982) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Gould. In response to a reporter's question regarding his penchant for studying the musical score in lieu of extended practice sessions (with a mechanical focus on scales and etudes), Maestro Gould replied:

"The fingers have little to do with playing the piano."

Obviously, this an exaggeration and presumes the normal conservatory training and day-to-day practice routine of the world class concert pianist. However, his point was well made: Once the physical element is under control, it is the computer (the subconscious) that must be programmed -- and allowed -- to perform.

Originally Posted by Yoda

The pianist was the brilliant Canadian performer, Glenn Gould (1932-1982) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Gould. In response to a reporter's question regarding his penchant for studying the musical score in lieu of extended practice sessions (with a mechanical focus on scales and etudes), he replied: "The fingers have little to do with playing the piano." Obviously, this an exaggeration and presumes the normal conservatory training and day-to-day practice routine of the world class concert pianist. However, his point was well made: Once the physical element is under control, it is the computer (the subconscious) that must be programmed -- and allowed -- to perform.

Whilst reading this I was sure that I felt an ethereal breeze across the back of my neck and heard some ghostly whispering about "Educated Hands".

Some things don't happen because they are not programmed to happen but other things happen because they cannot happen... The golf stroke is really a structure and a set of physical laws and alignments that surround its optimal use. You can only control what you can control and you can only control what your ready to control. People can spend countless hours wasting time trying to program themselves to do things which are impossible for them.

Originally Posted by Yoda

The pianist was the brilliant Canadian performer, Glenn Gould (1932-1982) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Gould. In response to a reporter's question regarding his penchant for studying the musical score in lieu of extended practice sessions (with a mechanical focus on scales and etudes), Maestro Gould replied: "The fingers have little to do with playing the piano." Obviously, this an exaggeration and presumes the normal conservatory training and day-to-day practice routine of the world class concert pianist. However, his point was well made: Once the physical element is under control, it is the computer (the subconscious) that must be programmed -- and allowed -- to perform.

And even more to this point, the late great jazz icon Charlie Parker once said "Master the instrument, learn the changes, then forget all that @*$^ and just play!"

He was referring to improvising, which is different from Gould's genius, that being interpretation of Bach as evidenced through his performances, but the two are close enough.

I've been a professional musician for a few decades now, and absolutely feel improvisatory with my short game, but I just can't seem to get that intuitive flow through time with my long game.

I know the performance should start when you're standing behind the ball and end with your finish, but I'm not quite there yet...although, now that I think about it, just responding to this thread has provided some real insight for me. Perhaps, in the next round I play, I will attempt to be intuitive and simply "do", instead of focusing on swing keys and such.

Originally Posted by Andy R

And even more to this point, the late great jazz icon Charlie Parker once said "Master the instrument, learn the changes, then forget all that @*$^ and just play!" He was referring to improvising, which is different from Gould's genius, that being interpretation of Bach as evidenced through his performances, but the two are close enough. I've been a professional musician for a few decades now, and absolutely feel improvisatory with my short game, but I just can't seem to get that intuitive flow through time with my long game. I know the performance should start when you're standing behind the ball and end with your finish, but I'm not quite there yet...although, now that I think about it, just responding to this thread has provided some real insight for me. Perhaps, in the next round I play, I will attempt to be intuitive and simply "do", instead of focusing on swing keys and such.

I love this post. Thanks, Andy R!

Bird lives!