OTL / BUCK’S TIPS
HOW TECHNOLOGY HAS CHANGED THE STATE OF INSTRUCTION TODAY
36
FA L L
STORY BY BUCK MAYERS One plane vs Two plane, Natural Golf, Lever Golf, Rotary Swings, Swing the Handle, Swing the Club Head, The Dog Wags the Tail, The Golfing Machine, Stack & Tilt, The 5 Lessons, Swing Like a Pro, and ON and ON. Are they right or are they wrong? Can we argue that many observations and opinions have not helped many golfers become better? It is obvious that ideology, methodology and opinions contribute to success. The better question is… have golfers improved consistently with all the technology, fitness, mental training improvements available? The answer is Yes & No. Why? The communication and information of “how to teach” typically has ideas and methods, the “what” to teach is most often opinion based and pseudo science. The physics and laws of motion are what they are. If you can skip a rock off water, you have experienced the laws of motion subconsciously. Playing golf is a right brain creative process. My meaning here is that understanding what you see and feel leads to a sound swing. A sound swing does not lead to understanding. The brain controls the body, the body controls the club and the club controls the ball. What has technology brought to golf? - CLARITY AND EDUCATION. Outside of equipment, fitness, mental aptitude and creative short game skills, we now have measurable, quantitative, scientific documentation of how the golf club and body move in space effortlessly, efficiently, and according to the laws of motion. Are there differences in the machine? We know from personal ball flight, conditions, body traits and mental strategies, styles may vary accordingly. However, why you hit it solid, straight or far according to physics will remain the same. Whether you shank, top, hit off the toe, fat, slice, pull, push, hook, high or low, we now can tell you why. Technology will enhance understanding, visual and sensation awareness or feel. The clubface, club path, angle of approach, centeredness of con-
ISSUE
2020
tact, and speed are the only influences of the ball’s flight. Technology arms every student and teacher with the cause of the effect – PERIOD! The swing is an action where certain things are caused to happen and certain things are allowed to happen. Faults arise in trying to cause what should be allowed. It is better not to guess! Technology observations of the best players in the world show superior kinematic sequence or how the club and body move in space efficiently without effort or thought. There is order but without conscious orientation to positions of the club or body. Sequence creates positions not vice versa. The best teachers in the game study learning styles, physical traits, club fitting, short game skills and the differences in the machine. But now we all can see and feel in real time, how the body and club move in harmony for consistent solid, straight and long golf shots with or without ideology, methodology or opinion. Golf is not a subject; it is a motor skill and we all, as human beings can improve our understanding, visual and sensation awareness according to physics and the laws of motion. I highly recommend you to experience all types of technology. Buck Mayers is the Director of Instruction at Escondido Golf & Lake Club in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. He can be reached at buckmayersgolf.com or 512.695.2270.
