Are you a scientist or an artist?

General Discussion
#41

Awesome topic- Every single part of my life is scientist. Except for golf. I graduated with a B.S. I work as an engineer. I crunch numbers, look for ways to maximize efficiency, and I can’t draw a picture any better than my two year old. When I cook, :rofl:, I use a recipe. And forget trying to match clothes for my little girls. But when I’m playing golf, it seems like I can see exactly what I need to do, putting especially. I guess it is a gift to be able to read greens and forget using the line on the ball. I like to just stare at the white. Standing behind the putt it is like the Tiger Woods game and the preview line on the best days. It is similar with full shots, I don’t work the ball a bunch and play a little draw most of the time or straight. Chips and pitches I see a line to where I want it to land.

With all that being said the coach has the numbers and I honestly don’t know a ton about them. We talk about what kind of feel to have to achieve what he is talking about. Like the feel of a wider hip turn allowing me to clear my body before following through with the arms and such.

I’m ‘only’ a 7 handicap so it’s not like I can make all these happen every time but the only artistic part of my life it seems is what helps me get around the course. Maybe it’s also why I need to get used to these new irons :thinking:

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#42

I agree Jon. I can sit and watch hours of golf on tv and watch all the angles that the cameras give of the players, but I am not as athletic or as polished as the pros are! Bubba, Phil, Tiger , Wolff, all have totally different swings and are great golfers but that does not translate to a teachable moment for the amateur, only a good coach who knows how to fix YOU is really what helps.

#43

This is the best part of your book / products my man… great insight and it has really helped me

#44

I think a lot of this comes down to how much more is happening between the brain and the body than we can ever consciously think about. So much so that we can only hypothesize how it works. Even if a guy like Bryson knows the exact angle degrees and millimeters of his ideal swing, I don’t think he’s thinking about them when he steps up to the ball. Once it’s time to perform, you really have to be the artist.

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#45

Combination:

  • Left side for your think box (assess conditions, decade your target, visualize your shot).
  • Right side for your play box (setup and go - tension, balance, tempo).
  • Both, memory box (mental scorecard, keep adrenaline, cortisol in check, maintain good thoughts).
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#46

I’m a left-hander playing golf right handed, so I have to be a right-brained artist, right?

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#47

Not really since I’m a right hander playing golf lefty and I’m not a left brained scientist on the course!

#48

I’m analytical … to a fault … and need to understand how things work. I love the challenge of learning this nutty game!

So yeah… I read books/blogs, I take lessons, I practice, I study, I take notes…, …

My lovely fun wife, otoh - doesn’t play as often as I do, rarely practices, eschews my many swing training aids, … - yet each time we play if she doesn’t show improvement with 2/3s (tee shots & short game) of her game!!!

Yes… she has the freaky hand-eye coordination between us, and yes… I’m a bit jealous at the rapid pace :wink: of her improvements!

Fast Forward to future surfdude golfer:
I like to consider myself an artiste around the greens … drawing inspiration from the legendary Seve.

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#49

I’m literally the exact same. It takes me so long to learn because I have to real it down to the nit noid detail. However, once I figure it out, it sticks forever.

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#50

One can only hope! You may have heard the saying: “You don’t own your golf swing … you only rent it.”

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#51

Unfortunately/fortunately it’s a series of very short term rentals

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#52

Turns out, I’m a bad renter…:rofl:

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#53

HAH!! Those are hilarious! Sitting on the couch literally LOL’ing!!!

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#54

I like this @Kaplack. Took me to discover @Adamyounggolf before I understood my problem is I am too analytical. Couldn’t figure out how I played and practised more 2016-19 than the previous 30+ years and I was progressively getting worse. There is a direct correlation to the amount of technical knowledge I gained 2016-19 and my natural technical/science thought process. When I read the Practice Manual I realised I had to let go of the thinking while playing and be more artist. Trying to visualise and feel rather than think. Still struggling with that - its so unnatural to me.

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#55

Yep - I do recall that blowing my mind when I first read about it in The Practice Manual. I can’t claim to understand it, only to accept it. I’m going to read it again… :slight_smile: :grinning: