On the Tee with Hank Johnson

Playing Through a Swing Change

Let's talk about whether you should continue playing while you're trying to make a swing change.

I believe you should; however, you must learn to separate playing and practicing. This is a skill that all good players have, so why not learn how to make this important mental transition while you are learning your new swing?

In practice, you have to focus on the details of your swing (the parts) in order to change them. Your swing mechanics become much more important that the quality of the shots you hit. Do it right, even if you miss the ball, until you no longer miss the ball.

In play, the ONLY thing that matters is the quality of the shot. There are No style points! You really shouldn't think about the parts of you swing while you're playing, unless it's in rehearsal prior to actually playing the shot. When it's time to play a shot that matters. You should focus on your target and just "feel" the swing that will make the ball go there.

Here's the process: You use mechanics to create a feel for the whole swing. That's what practice is for. When you play, you use that feel of the whole swing to re-create the mechanics. Thus you have to train yourself to mentally switch back and forth between practice and play.

I believe that there is no better time to train yourself to flip the mental switch between practice and play than while you are in the process of making a swing change.

By Hank Johnson, PGA Founder
Master Instructor, Hank Johnson School of Golf

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