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What's interesting to note is that at the end, he's basically referring to "conscious practice" which *does* translate across multiple sports. When I was active in MMA/Kickboxing, we'd often have conversations about guys who come in and actively practice their speed, hip/shoulder rotation, defense and movement VS guys who just came in to sweat and hit the heavy bag the same way they have for 4 years. Same with hitting the range balls. If you just show up and try to crush balls all day, you probably won't get better Vs a guy who practices specific things or feelings.
I used to practice a lot in my younger days, but I got way too technical as time went on. I actually played worse the more I practiced. I guess my practices were flawed and had too many swing thoughts which killed all the feel I used to have in my swing. Golf was work and I wasn't having fun. I stepped away from golf for 5 years due to lower back pain. Just started playing again and I'm using my natural feel technique and having fun. No longer bogged down with swing mechanics. I visualize the shot and swing. It's working great.
No matter what, playing actual golf has to be a big part of your practice schedule . This would be the live pitch parallel. There are so many shots, lies, situations that can’t be practiced or simulated on the range. The mental challenge of taking it low or making clutch putts isn’t simulated on the range. Actual block practice in golf is great if you have good direction. But too often this changes from day to day (we are all just junkies looking for a quick fix…) and really isn’t deliberate and building toward a better tomorrow. I’m not sure what the right balance is between practice and play but the older I’ve gotten the more playing actual golf is valuable to me.
something I'm pretty guilty of is just straight up not playing more and practicing to much, theres not really a substitute for getting better at playing golf other than playing golf. We'll obviously never know the "answer" but I'd imagine the sweet spot of playing/practice to be 50/50 if not more in favour of playing
Best way to simulate pressure putts/chips is with a practice buddy. Horse or knockout or any game like that. Play for a dollar or loser buys the first round. If you have two holes, putt at each other at the same time. If you make it, take a dollar from your buddy and switch.
I'm reminded of my time as a college bowler. It's another sport where there's no reaction and there's no defense. I think the first step to perfecting these types of sports is learning consistency in the body motion. You need consistent contact in golf just like a consistent release in bowling. Block practice for those things is really important. And then you want to learn specific shots for specific scenarios. Again block practice makes sense because there's no reaction. You set up a specific scenario, a putt, a distance, a spare in bowling and then you just drill that so your body knows how to do that specific thing. There's not a lot of improvisation on the golf course or at the bowling alley so you can really drill specific shots so you have them in the bag when the time is called for. Pros are able to master that consistency on a much larger number of potential shots than amateurs so they're much more versatile.
I think the key point here is - whether random or block - that _practising slowing down_ between each shot, e.g. applying a legitimate routine to each shot (the same you would use on the course) is more important than anything else when you see guys at the range hitting 100 balls (absolutely talking about myself here 😭) rapid-fire, it's no coincidence that nothing gets better
I have made it a habit of standing behind the ball and looking at my line and landing area on every shot at the range or short game area. It feels very odd to me if I ever don’t do that because I have ingrained it into my practice routine.
Not only things dont get better, I would take that deal, they almost certainly get worse. It happened to me. My swing drifted away, bad habits crept in and bam suddenly hooking every other shot. Once you get the swing you want, there is no need to practice more than just maintaining muscle strength and length. I dont see a reason to hit more than 5 balls with same club that you are comfortable with. Especially since for most irons its same swing. Why do I need to hit 10 shots with pitching wedge and then 10 shots with 54 wedge? Its basically same club all upto 8 iron. then stance gets a bit different and then its same swing for 7 to 5 etc.
I’m 47 now. When I was a kid before a drivers license parents would drop me and my friends off at the local muni for the day. Play 18, driving range, putt, chip, etc. there was ALWAYS contests and games we’d play to keep us into it. Especially with short game it forced us to stay engaged and use our imagination to hit shots. The old guys would do stuff like that as well. Seve, Travino, etc. These days with short game I’ll hit different clubs from same spot to see how ball reacts and find the best way “for me” to play each shot
I grew up the same way and then worked at the course in high school. Can't beat playing golf with your buddies, being able to practice on the course to hit different shots, and using your imagination.
The title made me curious, and it seems that we're aligned in our thinking about practice. I'm a beginner, and I feel like I can pay better attention when I'm hitting the same shot over and over, especially when practicing chipping. How far does my backswing need to go? What does it feel like when I hit the ball well? And my thinking is, there's probably an infinite amount of potential shots to hit. It's a waste of time to try and practice every possible angle vs getting elite at one or a few and making the right changes on the course. I know fighting isn't a similar sport, but I always think about this Bruce Lee quote when I practice "I don't fear the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once. I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times"
Agreed, seems researchers have misinterpreted the refocusing required for randomized as increased attention and focus, which isn't exclusive to randomized practice.
I totally agree. A lot of my education is within movement optimization. However when working on a concept, it has been proven that adding variety make the learning more efficient. For that reason, perhaps, randomization within block practice. There are many published studies in this regard with closed loop activities. Two that come to mind. Free throw shooters who slightly changed angles and distance, out performed those who practiced just from the line. Another study showed field goal kickers trying to improve 35 yd field goals. Those who moved around out performed those who exclusively practiced 35 yds. So for golfers. Perhaps work on one element (such as correcting path on trackman) but doing so hitting, high shots, low shots, 3/4 shots etc. I believe studies show the learning is quicker by about 40% We are all searching; that is what make it such a great game
The issue is trying to practice on an actual golf course. It can be tough when you are expected to rush through 18 holes within 4 hours due to course management. I pick super quiet courses through the week and will regularly send 5 balls down the fairway, and practice chipping. My driving and iron game is my weakness but its very hard to practice on an actual course when losing balls
Love that strategy and wish it was easier to practice on the course too. So many shots you just can't practice on the driving range/short game area. Good work - wicked smart
- randomizing is like throwing fuel on the fire. Remember: there is enough inherent variability in the golf swing by itself. First, get consistent. - swing fundamentals have to be learned - body flexibility is required - bloc practice, practice, practice. You have to consistently produce manageable dispersion (distance and deviation). - this sport requires acute concentration. It is an individual sport, there is no ball sharing, there is no reaction. It is you vs you, the ground, the hurdles, the wind, the temperature. No two shots are alike. - having the ability to shape your shots is artistry. Without body flexibility, this is almost impossible.
I agree with you in a certain way. Bloc practice is necessary (physically) in every Macrocycles of a yearly planification. But random scenarios, games, challenges…has to be added to overcome when in a pressure situations but are not necessary in every macrocyle of an annual planification. The benefits of random, game performance oriented practices is not to improve technical aspects of the swing but to improve mental/ emotional skills. Also on a long term point of view, avoiding bordness in practice is also essential to mental health. By adding theses type of practice you can still have some “hidden” volume of practice. Hope my English was good enough. 😂
I'm a 4 handicap but if I get a chance (given my Engineering job and home responsibilities) to practice as much as i want (two a days so like a few hundred balls a day) i can challenge par in most courses from the tips. I always have a plan when I go to the range (say fairway woods and long irons) and I always try to think about holes on specific courses for every swing I make. And then at some point in my practice I always just stop "working" and give me some play time to hit big hooks and big slices and maybe even a few left hand swings so when I need to get around a tree with a left hand swing I can do it and I love to work on the 60 degree wedge picking out like a target 6 yards away and trying to hit my ball almost straight up with a full swing flop shot. I don't spend a lot of time putting but I do play with my stance and ball position and check my swings in relation to if the ball is going in the hole on 10 foot and 6 foot putts.
I can agree with what Scott is saying. I think block practice in itself is more useful for training a new move or motion, think of a swing change. I think variance comes in when your trying to develop feel, specifically for feel shots or partial shots. I was taught to slow down block practice by stepping out after hitting the shot. Reset completely by standing behind lining it back it up and have a visual of the shot. I was taught to create a station for hitting too by laying a club down at your feet, putting a ball about 5 feet or so out in front of your ball your hitting, but on the line. Variance comes in when playing games on the range, especially against a friend for some $$$. The game itself is a sum on the parts. If you practice parts of the game the sum should increase. Playing the game more often lends itself to taking practice to the course. I know for me I can compete when I practice but not play much. If I practice and play quite a bit that just elevates everything and now I have a more realistic chance of winning or at the very least contending. That's for me and I know that.
@wickedsmartgolf we used to play around the world with the driving range greens. As long as you hit the green you can advance. If you miss you can risk starting over and try again. The first one to make it all the way around wins. Put some $$$ on the line to add pressure
i think feedback is the key to practice. video/tracking seems to give you instant feedback. without it you're just guessing whats wrong, with feedback you can test variables easily.
Hope you're right Scott...I just came home an hour ago from a 4 hour block practice! (including putting and chipping). 2.7 cap...kinda know what I'm doing at practice. Good video!
It’s just about achieving your own goals in the game. A tiny number of exceptionally talented players with great dedication get to play the game we see on tv. For most of us it’s about realising what you want and can realistically achieve. I started playing regularly at 25 years old just wanted to break 100 did that pretty quick then 90 got my first handicap of 19 about a year later 9 then got as low as 4.7 I didn’t have any lessons just played with better players at every opportunity and watched what they did well picked a few brains and tried to improve my game. At that time my striking was quality but I let myself down on the greens. The main thing though was that I could play or practice 3-4 times a week my clubs were in my hand every other day during the uk winters I’d try and play at least once a week but I hit balls in the evenings. Now at 42 I have 2 children I don’t play every week all year round I just get out when I can I’m not looking to try and break par anymore I just don’t have that game any score in the 70s makes me content shooting 84 or something annoys me but it happens couple of mis hit shots or a few out of bounds just costs you when you have your clubs in your hand all the time even if you don’t have great technique you eradicate those basic errors scoring gets easier. I hit a decent ball still but the top county players in my area are on another level they hit their driving irons nearly as far as my driver I’m still getting out there at 270-280 and in the uk that’s by no means short but the game those lads play is different and they’re not good enough to be on tour 😂 it’s ridiculous how good the tour pros are. My children are 7 and 4 now I’ve got a bit of time back and I’m back on the grind my swing is getting better and soon hopefully back to its best.
Block practice is sooooo boring. Block is reasonable for conditioning and early stage learning. Shotmaking practice is far more interesting and far more useful particularly when basic patterns are ingrained. Just because the target is the same doesn’t imply the golfer is hitting the same shot to that target. I endeavour to start every shot in the think box, establish the rhythm to the process, especially because I play so little. Last thing I want when I do play is to be adding stuff I haven’t practiced. Thanks for sharing Scott, been awhile.
I have played in a few statewide amateur events. This was very difficult for me because I never played competitive golf at any level. My swing felt completely unnatural in these events and I had trouble shooting 80 (sometimes 90) as a scratch golfer. I would love some advice on taking my normal game to the competitive arena when I don’t have that many opportunities to actually compete.
First off great job getting into tournaments, that's awesome and a thrill few golfers truly understand. Some of my biggest tips are: 1. When you play casual rounds play by the rules of golf & putt everything out. 2. Develop a consistent pre-shot routine and stick with it on good/bad shots. 3. Play a practice round if possible. 4. Have a consistent warm up routine to prepare for the day. I also made this FREE tournament golf checklist that will help you out: www.wickedsmartgolf.com/tournament-golf-checklist
Good video. However the flaw in your logic in random vs block practice is how effective it is for various skill levels. An expert level tour player will not benefit as much in the skill retention benefits that random practice provides because their skill is already so high. They do block practice because they may be working on a mechanical change in their swing or maybe are working on a swing feel, etc. Conversely a beginner or novice player will not benefit from block practice because random practice provides a greater neurological challenge to them and their skill retention will receive a higher benefit versus block practice.
Dunno about that - beginners need block practice too so they can develop skills. I think regardless of style it's important to take breaks, go through routines, and always pick targets. Less mindless practice is what most golfers need
For beginners and amateurs- You first need to learn to setup before you swing. You must first learn to swing before you play. You must first learn to play before you compete. Sounds simple, but there find out which level you are at and don't try and jump out of that stage. You must go through each stage to get good.
For long game, think there's more value in block practice. Sure there's definitely also value in changing targets to practice alignment but don't think it has to be 100% of one way and 0% of the other. For putting, think there's a lot of value in random practice to practice green reading
Consider rapid firing 100 balls at the range. Don’t judge the book by its cover. Just because I’m not picking different targets and using different clubs doesn’t mean I’m not intentional with each and every swing. For example, there will be several swing thoughts in my brain that I am working on. My task for that session is to coordinate all of these together into a well timed smooth swing. After each swing, I know instantly that I failed at swing thought number 3 or 2 or 4 or whatever. So I am ready for my next ball immediately knowing what to do better. I do not want to practice multiple swings with different targets because I am trying to FIND my swing.
There are mountains of evidence that variable practice is integral for motor learning adaptation. Golf shots require so much variability, outside of tee shots no two shots are alike.
I think it's good for a lot of amateurs to mix it up too as so many golfers get bored with practice. Like he said in the full interview, important to not rapid fire golf balls
I believe you need to practice strategically. Practice one thing at a time. That one thing must be the right thing or else you will be reinforcing bad habits. You tube is great but get with a golf instructor and ask him/her to evaluate your swing to find 1 or 2 flaws to work on. Rinse and repeat.
The very worse thing I can do for my golf game is hit a bucket of balls on a golf range ... it actually makes my game worse! I finally figured out why and realized that the best and only practice routine that works for me is to practise like I play - hitting one ball (and one ball only!) on a golf course. Applying this practice method resulted in my handicap dropping from 11 to 5 in less than three months. I wouldn't recommend fake golf (hitting lots of balls on a range) to anyone. Ditto for chipping and putting ... practise with just one ball ... hitting balls one after the other doesn't teach you anything.
@wickedsmartgolf The problem is it took me a long time to arrive at the right practice regime for me. I finally worked out why hitting balls on the range makes my game worse - if I hit a second ball soon after hitting the first ball, my second swing is actually different to my first swing ... and the more balls I hit, the more it changes (my swing plane actually gets flatter and flatter). So by the time I've hit a bucket of balls on the range, my swing is very different to the "one-of" swing I use when actually playing golf.
Totally disagree here. I hit around 1000 pitch shots a week one after another (around 10-15 seconds in between shots) 50-54-58 all Kinds of different shots getting practiced, I’m deadly from inside 100 yards because of it. Reason I started hitting 1000+ balls a week was because I could not get better playing golf, I had to practice.
My game's in the same place for the amount of time I have. Lowering my scores comes down to navigating the course, being focused and creative, and hitting the right shots from different positions which you can't practice at a range. E.g. miss the green, and end up in the rough, with grass behind the ball, an uphill lie, and not a lot of green to work with. Or, hitting the fairway with a soggy lie, and having to hit a shot into a strong breeze onto a raised green whilst picking a line you're happy with if you miss.
One small point. Baseball does have one position that mirrors golf, "pitching". The mental aspect is the same. Nothing happens until you throw :: Nothing happens until you swing
I tutor math. I tell my students the same thing! Randomizing in practice only works AFTER you have established some good habits, which takes repetition of a single action. I use golf as an example. Hit the ball/do a problem. Watch the ball/check the answer. Learn something. Repeat. Math isn't taught this way anymore and math scores are in a tailspin. I wonder why?
Totally agree , if you want to learn how to hit balls well time after time then you have to map your brain to feel and therefore know what works , the only way to do that is hit a lot of balls and observe the nuances , its not reacting its knowing and trusting that knowledge . Reacting is childs play in comparison .
I appreciate Scott Fawcett's golf input, but I think the flaw in this argument is, every good golfer needs to adapt to changes on the course. The more you can adapt to change, the more you will evolve into a great player. You have to practice that on the range. Second: The amount of block and random practice depends on the level at which you play golf. And the definition of block versus random has to be clear. Block does not necessarily mean 50 Balls in a row and random every shot a new target. On Tour the majority of players use launch monitors and training aids to verify their feels and visuals, not to block practice, they normally don't want to be coached or practice on technique during tournament, except, something is extremely wrong in their game.
Yep, gotta find what works for you. Biggest thing that has helped me was having a plan for practice, not doing too much technical practice, going through my full routine more often, and trying out competitive practice
Golf takes a long time to get good at. Same thing with throwing darts. Go throw some darts and see if you can throw them as consistently as the pros, nobody can, not without years of practice. You gotta go to the range at least 2 or 3 times a week for 2 or 3 months to see real improvement, imo if you are a beginner and only going to the range once a week or less you wont be any good at golf for years.
One of my wrestling coaches taught me that perfect practice makes perfect. Practicing something wrong is obviously not ideal. Idk, it's always stuck with me.
I hate range sessions. I don't see the point. Range balls generally suck and about half way through a large bucket of balls I totally lose the little enthusiasm I had and have no interest to continue. I'll trudge on just to hit the full bucket but I notice that I am hitting more and more bad shots and risk introducing bad swing habits.
Free throws are close to the discipline and control that golf requires. A player doesn't get better shooting free throws by practicing shooting from different spots all over the court. You shoot from the line and the more you do the better you get. Hitting a good 50 yard wedge requires hitting that exact shot and randomizing clubs and distance will not help you one bit with that.
I actually had a different podcast guest - Dr. Luke Benoit - who referenced a basketball study and found that players improved their free throws by shooting from various distances. For golf he said if you want to make a lot of 3-footers, don't just work on that length but 3-6 footers. Episode 243 on Wicked Smart Golf podcast if you want to learn more
not that I even disagree but its a bit funny hearing Scott make the argument about studies or examples not being comparable for xyz when stat guys constantly use Professionals data to give strategy for a 15 handicap as their holy grail. Same sport, different game. Can't use generalized pro's data for weekend warriors who play once a month
Hah - I think my biggest takeaway from the full interview we did was practice with purpose. Make sure you have a clear goal for each shot, take more breaks, and don't mindlessly hit balls
When I'm on a simulator, i always hit well on them... then when i go back outside... i hit them terrible. I stay stay away from the simulator now. Ruins my game
Hard work more important. I was awful in high school with zero talent. Worked hard and became a scratch in a few years. Now a +2.5, hard work beats talent
It would be great if he could back his claims with results from a proper randomized control trial study. Not saying he is wrong or right, just saying that talking is cheap.
Yeah but he has been to enough tour events to see what the pros do. Moral of the story I think is to spend more time with focused practice instead of mindlessly hitting balls
he does "coach" to some extent a shitload of tour players and has been a tour player, I realise that doesn't make everything he says perfect but he does have a view inside the ropes. And thinking about it with the trackman/quad point it means anyone with one of those set up isnt changing targets east/west. Realistically there will never be a way to prove anything will be the best for every person, people respond to different stimulus in different ways, telling people to practice/play like John Daly would completely fuck some people but it works for John
@@Jeebizz101I don’t disagree with anything you said. The bigger picture point is that, more likely than not, skill development plans that incorporate both block and randomized practice will be the most successful on average. This is what has been found in multiple circumstances and settings. For all he rails against randomized practice, he actually proposes using combines (form of randomized practice) and his putting drills are mostly randomized practice too (they are like games).
Why do we keep listening to this guy when it comes to practice? He has 0 idea what he is talking about. And doesn’t understand the science of training at all. He always quotes one study and that’s all. Ridiculous. “All the pros are doing that” is the weakest argument ever.
@@wickedsmartgolf randomness, representative, pressure, fun, focused on skills, deliberate, … Find actual scientific content and read it. The 2015 season of the golf science lab podcast (10 years ago almost!) mentions plenty of research around golf. Look for names mentioned by Adam Young, Stuart Armstrong, Peter Arnott, Ian Renshaw, Rob Gray, … and read what those persons published. Follow the trail. It’s an incredibly rich field with a lot of golf specific research. There’s definitely more to it than bashing balls repeatedly with one step back.
The guys on the tour are using all these training contraptions because they are getting paid to use them. It’s advertisement for the product, don’t be fooled.
Few training aid brands have a budget for a PGA player. They use training aids because it helps them make more money $$$ with better on course performance
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What's interesting to note is that at the end, he's basically referring to "conscious practice" which *does* translate across multiple sports. When I was active in MMA/Kickboxing, we'd often have conversations about guys who come in and actively practice their speed, hip/shoulder rotation, defense and movement VS guys who just came in to sweat and hit the heavy bag the same way they have for 4 years. Same with hitting the range balls. If you just show up and try to crush balls all day, you probably won't get better Vs a guy who practices specific things or feelings.
Very well said, thanks for watching!
I used to practice a lot in my younger days, but I got way too technical as time went on. I actually played worse the more I practiced. I guess my practices were flawed and had too many swing thoughts which killed all the feel I used to have in my swing. Golf was work and I wasn't having fun. I stepped away from golf for 5 years due to lower back pain. Just started playing again and I'm using my natural feel technique and having fun. No longer bogged down with swing mechanics. I visualize the shot and swing. It's working great.
Awesome, glad yu're back!
No matter what, playing actual golf has to be a big part of your practice schedule . This would be the live pitch parallel. There are so many shots, lies, situations that can’t be practiced or simulated on the range. The mental challenge of taking it low or making clutch putts isn’t simulated on the range. Actual block practice in golf is great if you have good direction. But too often this changes from day to day (we are all just junkies looking for a quick fix…) and really isn’t deliberate and building toward a better tomorrow. I’m not sure what the right balance is between practice and play but the older I’ve gotten the more playing actual golf is valuable to me.
Agreed, so important to practice on the course when you can. Thanks for watching
something I'm pretty guilty of is just straight up not playing more and practicing to much, theres not really a substitute for getting better at playing golf other than playing golf. We'll obviously never know the "answer" but I'd imagine the sweet spot of playing/practice to be 50/50 if not more in favour of playing
@@Jeebizz101trust me I get it, wish I could play more practice type rounds
Best way to simulate pressure putts/chips is with a practice buddy. Horse or knockout or any game like that. Play for a dollar or loser buys the first round. If you have two holes, putt at each other at the same time. If you make it, take a dollar from your buddy and switch.
@@danielcorrigan6998 love that, couldn’t agree more!
I'm reminded of my time as a college bowler. It's another sport where there's no reaction and there's no defense. I think the first step to perfecting these types of sports is learning consistency in the body motion. You need consistent contact in golf just like a consistent release in bowling. Block practice for those things is really important. And then you want to learn specific shots for specific scenarios. Again block practice makes sense because there's no reaction. You set up a specific scenario, a putt, a distance, a spare in bowling and then you just drill that so your body knows how to do that specific thing. There's not a lot of improvisation on the golf course or at the bowling alley so you can really drill specific shots so you have them in the bag when the time is called for. Pros are able to master that consistency on a much larger number of potential shots than amateurs so they're much more versatile.
Really good comparison. A good routine also helps with the consistent mental activity so you're focused on the target and nothing else.
I think the key point here is - whether random or block - that _practising slowing down_ between each shot, e.g. applying a legitimate routine to each shot (the same you would use on the course) is more important than anything else
when you see guys at the range hitting 100 balls (absolutely talking about myself here 😭) rapid-fire, it's no coincidence that nothing gets better
Yes, I've been there myself too.. the rapid fire range sessions do not help. Slow down, be intentional, and get clear about every shot.
I have made it a habit of standing behind the ball and looking at my line and landing area on every shot at the range or short game area. It feels very odd to me if I ever don’t do that because I have ingrained it into my practice routine.
@@Pseudify I love it, so key to practice your routine and target selection on the range/short game area.
Not only things dont get better, I would take that deal, they almost certainly get worse. It happened to me. My swing drifted away, bad habits crept in and bam suddenly hooking every other shot. Once you get the swing you want, there is no need to practice more than just maintaining muscle strength and length. I dont see a reason to hit more than 5 balls with same club that you are comfortable with. Especially since for most irons its same swing. Why do I need to hit 10 shots with pitching wedge and then 10 shots with 54 wedge? Its basically same club all upto 8 iron. then stance gets a bit different and then its same swing for 7 to 5 etc.
I’m 47 now. When I was a kid before a drivers license parents would drop me and my friends off at the local muni for the day. Play 18, driving range, putt, chip, etc. there was ALWAYS contests and games we’d play to keep us into it. Especially with short game it forced us to stay engaged and use our imagination to hit shots. The old guys would do stuff like that as well. Seve, Travino, etc.
These days with short game I’ll hit different clubs from same spot to see how ball reacts and find the best way “for me” to play each shot
I grew up the same way and then worked at the course in high school. Can't beat playing golf with your buddies, being able to practice on the course to hit different shots, and using your imagination.
The title made me curious, and it seems that we're aligned in our thinking about practice. I'm a beginner, and I feel like I can pay better attention when I'm hitting the same shot over and over, especially when practicing chipping. How far does my backswing need to go? What does it feel like when I hit the ball well?
And my thinking is, there's probably an infinite amount of potential shots to hit. It's a waste of time to try and practice every possible angle vs getting elite at one or a few and making the right changes on the course.
I know fighting isn't a similar sport, but I always think about this Bruce Lee quote when I practice
"I don't fear the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once. I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times"
Nice, the full interview with Scott is awesome too!
Agreed, seems researchers have misinterpreted the refocusing required for randomized as increased attention and focus, which isn't exclusive to randomized practice.
Thanks for watching!
I totally agree. A lot of my education is within movement optimization. However when working on a concept, it has been proven that adding variety make the learning more efficient. For that reason, perhaps, randomization within block practice.
There are many published studies in this regard with closed loop activities. Two that come to mind.
Free throw shooters who slightly changed angles and distance, out performed those who practiced just from the line.
Another study showed field goal kickers trying to improve 35 yd field goals. Those who moved around out performed those who exclusively practiced 35 yds.
So for golfers. Perhaps work on one element (such as correcting path on trackman) but doing so hitting, high shots, low shots, 3/4 shots etc. I believe studies show the learning is quicker by about 40%
We are all searching; that is what make it such a great game
Well said! An endless search for sure - thanks for sharing
The issue is trying to practice on an actual golf course. It can be tough when you are expected to rush through 18 holes within 4 hours due to course management.
I pick super quiet courses through the week and will regularly send 5 balls down the fairway, and practice chipping.
My driving and iron game is my weakness but its very hard to practice on an actual course when losing balls
Love that strategy and wish it was easier to practice on the course too. So many shots you just can't practice on the driving range/short game area. Good work - wicked smart
- randomizing is like throwing fuel on the fire. Remember: there is enough inherent variability in the golf swing by itself. First, get consistent.
- swing fundamentals have to be learned
- body flexibility is required
- bloc practice, practice, practice. You have to consistently produce manageable dispersion (distance and deviation).
- this sport requires acute concentration. It is an individual sport, there is no ball sharing, there is no reaction. It is you vs you, the ground, the hurdles, the wind, the temperature. No two shots are alike.
- having the ability to shape your shots is artistry. Without body flexibility, this is almost impossible.
Good stuff here, lot of natural variability in this crazy game.
I agree with you in a certain way. Bloc practice is necessary (physically) in every Macrocycles of a yearly planification. But random scenarios, games, challenges…has to be added to overcome when in a pressure situations but are not necessary in every macrocyle of an annual planification. The benefits of random, game performance oriented practices is not to improve technical aspects of the swing but to improve mental/ emotional skills. Also on a long term point of view, avoiding bordness in practice is also essential to mental health. By adding theses type of practice you can still have some “hidden” volume of practice. Hope my English was good enough. 😂
It's perfect, very well said! Must keep practice fun so you stick with it.
I'm a 4 handicap but if I get a chance (given my Engineering job and home responsibilities) to practice as much as i want (two a days so like a few hundred balls a day) i can challenge par in most courses from the tips. I always have a plan when I go to the range (say fairway woods and long irons) and I always try to think about holes on specific courses for every swing I make. And then at some point in my practice I always just stop "working" and give me some play time to hit big hooks and big slices and maybe even a few left hand swings so when I need to get around a tree with a left hand swing I can do it and I love to work on the 60 degree wedge picking out like a target 6 yards away and trying to hit my ball almost straight up with a full swing flop shot. I don't spend a lot of time putting but I do play with my stance and ball position and check my swings in relation to if the ball is going in the hole on 10 foot and 6 foot putts.
Sounds like you are dialed in!!! If only everyone could follow this method. Practical & still fun - good work
I can agree with what Scott is saying. I think block practice in itself is more useful for training a new move or motion, think of a swing change. I think variance comes in when your trying to develop feel, specifically for feel shots or partial shots. I was taught to slow down block practice by stepping out after hitting the shot. Reset completely by standing behind lining it back it up and have a visual of the shot. I was taught to create a station for hitting too by laying a club down at your feet, putting a ball about 5 feet or so out in front of your ball your hitting, but on the line. Variance comes in when playing games on the range, especially against a friend for some $$$. The game itself is a sum on the parts. If you practice parts of the game the sum should increase. Playing the game more often lends itself to taking practice to the course. I know for me I can compete when I practice but not play much. If I practice and play quite a bit that just elevates everything and now I have a more realistic chance of winning or at the very least contending. That's for me and I know that.
Love all this - have to practice with purpose and make sure you stay focused... competitive practice with a friend can help a ton
@wickedsmartgolf we used to play around the world with the driving range greens. As long as you hit the green you can advance. If you miss you can risk starting over and try again. The first one to make it all the way around wins. Put some $$$ on the line to add pressure
@@industrialpalletworx3548 great idea!
I go to my driving range twice a week and spend 4hrs on short came 1hr putting and 1hr on tee ball and regular irons and fairway woods combined.
Love that, good work!
i think feedback is the key to practice. video/tracking seems to give you instant feedback. without it you're just guessing whats wrong, with feedback you can test variables easily.
Very well said!
Hope you're right Scott...I just came home an hour ago from a 4 hour block practice! (including putting and chipping). 2.7 cap...kinda know what I'm doing at practice. Good video!
Dang good work! I am about 2 hour max before my mind shuts down haha
Ha ha...shoulder is killing me!@@wickedsmartgolf
Development of feel in your hands is #1. Distance control #2 alignment #3 simple as that.
I like it, keep it simple!
It’s just about achieving your own goals in the game.
A tiny number of exceptionally talented players with great dedication get to play the game we see on tv.
For most of us it’s about realising what you want and can realistically achieve.
I started playing regularly at 25 years old just wanted to break 100 did that pretty quick then 90 got my first handicap of 19 about a year later 9 then got as low as 4.7 I didn’t have any lessons just played with better players at every opportunity and watched what they did well picked a few brains and tried to improve my game.
At that time my striking was quality but I let myself down on the greens.
The main thing though was that I could play or practice 3-4 times a week my clubs were in my hand every other day during the uk winters I’d try and play at least once a week but I hit balls in the evenings.
Now at 42 I have 2 children I don’t play every week all year round I just get out when I can I’m not looking to try and break par anymore I just don’t have that game any score in the 70s makes me content shooting 84 or something annoys me but it happens couple of mis hit shots or a few out of bounds just costs you when you have your clubs in your hand all the time even if you don’t have great technique you eradicate those basic errors scoring gets easier.
I hit a decent ball still but the top county players in my area are on another level they hit their driving irons nearly as far as my driver I’m still getting out there at 270-280 and in the uk that’s by no means short but the game those lads play is different and they’re not good enough to be on tour 😂 it’s ridiculous how good the tour pros are.
My children are 7 and 4 now I’ve got a bit of time back and I’m back on the grind my swing is getting better and soon hopefully back to its best.
Keep me posted, you got this!
For myself I had to figure out a basic swing, how to his a chip, a consistent way to putt. The only way for me to figure out golf was thru practice.
For sure, super important to put in the work early on to develop feel, learn your swing, and hit all types of shots.
Block practice is sooooo boring. Block is reasonable for conditioning and early stage learning. Shotmaking practice is far more interesting and far more useful particularly when basic patterns are ingrained. Just because the target is the same doesn’t imply the golfer is hitting the same shot to that target. I endeavour to start every shot in the think box, establish the rhythm to the process, especially because I play so little. Last thing I want when I do play is to be adding stuff I haven’t practiced. Thanks for sharing Scott, been awhile.
Thanks for watching!
I have played in a few statewide amateur events. This was very difficult for me because I never played competitive golf at any level. My swing felt completely unnatural in these events and I had trouble shooting 80 (sometimes 90) as a scratch golfer. I would love some advice on taking my normal game to the competitive arena when I don’t have that many opportunities to actually compete.
First off great job getting into tournaments, that's awesome and a thrill few golfers truly understand. Some of my biggest tips are:
1. When you play casual rounds play by the rules of golf & putt everything out.
2. Develop a consistent pre-shot routine and stick with it on good/bad shots.
3. Play a practice round if possible.
4. Have a consistent warm up routine to prepare for the day.
I also made this FREE tournament golf checklist that will help you out: www.wickedsmartgolf.com/tournament-golf-checklist
Used to work with you at Cirro Energy circa 2001. I showed you my Golden Ram Tour Grind irons and you told me to get rid of them. :)
Ha that's too funny - Scott has been a great guest on the podcast
quality of attention yes! no one talks about this practice paying close attention
Agreed!!
Best practice is on course, by yourself..If Possible! Multiple combinations of “What if situations”!!!
agreed, wish it was easier but courses are so busy these days!
Good video. However the flaw in your logic in random vs block practice is how effective it is for various skill levels. An expert level tour player will not benefit as much in the skill retention benefits that random practice provides because their skill is already so high. They do block practice because they may be working on a mechanical change in their swing or maybe are working on a swing feel, etc.
Conversely a beginner or novice player will not benefit from block practice because random practice provides a greater neurological challenge to them and their skill retention will receive a higher benefit versus block practice.
Dunno about that - beginners need block practice too so they can develop skills. I think regardless of style it's important to take breaks, go through routines, and always pick targets. Less mindless practice is what most golfers need
For beginners and amateurs- You first need to learn to setup before you swing. You must first learn to swing before you play. You must first learn to play before you compete.
Sounds simple, but there find out which level you are at and don't try and jump out of that stage. You must go through each stage to get good.
Very true - steep learning curve in this game.
The fact this guy says “im not saying im right, im just saying this concept has flaws” is so logically sound.
Just sharing what he sees in working with the best players in the world.
For long game, think there's more value in block practice. Sure there's definitely also value in changing targets to practice alignment but don't think it has to be 100% of one way and 0% of the other. For putting, think there's a lot of value in random practice to practice green reading
I like it, thanks for watching!
Fantastic view
Thanks for watching!
That’s funny because I go in my yard and hit off my mat with my PW aiming at the same bucket 20 yards away with Plastic balls
Love it!
Consider rapid firing 100 balls at the range. Don’t judge the book by its cover. Just because I’m not picking different targets and using different clubs doesn’t mean I’m not intentional with each and every swing. For example, there will be several swing thoughts in my brain that I am working on. My task for that session is to coordinate all of these together into a well timed smooth swing. After each swing, I know instantly that I failed at swing thought number 3 or 2 or 4 or whatever. So I am ready for my next ball immediately knowing what to do better. I do not want to practice multiple swings with different targets because I am trying to FIND my swing.
Interesting take, thanks for sharing.
There are mountains of evidence that variable practice is integral for motor learning adaptation. Golf shots require so much variability, outside of tee shots no two shots are alike.
I think it's good for a lot of amateurs to mix it up too as so many golfers get bored with practice. Like he said in the full interview, important to not rapid fire golf balls
I believe you need to practice strategically. Practice one thing at a time. That one thing must be the right thing or else you will be reinforcing bad habits. You tube is great but get with a golf instructor and ask him/her to evaluate your swing to find 1 or 2 flaws to work on. Rinse and repeat.
Focused practice is key and not getting too technical all the time.
Thanks for this sound advice Scott. Random question, but what brand of shirt are you wearing in this? It looks great!
Scott is hitting the gym haha beast mode
The very worse thing I can do for my golf game is hit a bucket of balls on a golf range ... it actually makes my game worse! I finally figured out why and realized that the best and only practice routine that works for me is to practise like I play - hitting one ball (and one ball only!) on a golf course. Applying this practice method resulted in my handicap dropping from 11 to 5 in less than three months.
I wouldn't recommend fake golf (hitting lots of balls on a range) to anyone. Ditto for chipping and putting ... practise with just one ball ... hitting balls one after the other doesn't teach you anything.
That's knowing your game well! I do like the one ball practice appraoch too - helps you translate practice to the course
@wickedsmartgolf The problem is it took me a long time to arrive at the right practice regime for me.
I finally worked out why hitting balls on the range makes my game worse - if I hit a second ball soon after hitting the first ball, my second swing is actually different to my first swing ... and the more balls I hit, the more it changes (my swing plane actually gets flatter and flatter). So by the time I've hit a bucket of balls on the range, my swing is very different to the "one-of" swing I use when actually playing golf.
Totally disagree here.
I hit around 1000 pitch shots a week one after another (around 10-15 seconds in between shots)
50-54-58 all Kinds of different shots getting practiced, I’m deadly from inside 100 yards because of it.
Reason I started hitting 1000+ balls a week was because I could not get better playing golf, I had to practice.
My game's in the same place for the amount of time I have. Lowering my scores comes down to navigating the course, being focused and creative, and hitting the right shots from different positions which you can't practice at a range. E.g. miss the green, and end up in the rough, with grass behind the ball, an uphill lie, and not a lot of green to work with. Or, hitting the fairway with a soggy lie, and having to hit a shot into a strong breeze onto a raised green whilst picking a line you're happy with if you miss.
@@Jaezon I wish we could practice on the course more often!
One small point. Baseball does have one position that mirrors golf, "pitching". The mental aspect is the same. Nothing happens until you throw :: Nothing happens until you swing
Very true!
Agreed
I tutor math. I tell my students the same thing! Randomizing in practice only works AFTER you have established some good habits, which takes repetition of a single action. I use golf as an example. Hit the ball/do a problem. Watch the ball/check the answer. Learn something. Repeat. Math isn't taught this way anymore and math scores are in a tailspin. I wonder why?
Wow that's a great comparison, I like what you said - put in the reps for a consistent action then randomize. Appreciate you watching
Each shot at the range should have (1) a purpose and (2) brief analysis.....unless you are strictly "warming up the muscles"
Couldn't agree more!
What episode is this from?
Episode 245/246 (2-parter) on my show, Wicked Smart Golf. It's a great episode!
Totally agree , if you want to learn how to hit balls well time after time then you have to map your brain to feel and therefore know what works , the only way to do that is hit a lot of balls and observe the nuances , its not reacting its knowing and trusting that knowledge . Reacting is childs play in comparison .
Well said! Thanks for watching
I’d compare golf with biljards.
Love billards!
I appreciate Scott Fawcett's golf input, but I think the flaw in this argument is, every good golfer needs to adapt to changes on the course. The more you can adapt to change, the more you will evolve into a great player. You have to practice that on the range. Second: The amount of block and random practice depends on the level at which you play golf. And the definition of block versus random has to be clear. Block does not necessarily mean 50 Balls in a row and random every shot a new target. On Tour the majority of players use launch monitors and training aids to verify their feels and visuals, not to block practice, they normally don't want to be coached or practice on technique during tournament, except, something is extremely wrong in their game.
Yep, gotta find what works for you. Biggest thing that has helped me was having a plan for practice, not doing too much technical practice, going through my full routine more often, and trying out competitive practice
it's about intensity and not quantity. If you practice with zero focus it's bad practice.
You're not wrong there! Golfers need more focused practice, less randomly hitting balls without alignment, target, and a goal for each shot.
Golf takes a long time to get good at. Same thing with throwing darts. Go throw some darts and see if you can throw them as consistently as the pros, nobody can, not without years of practice. You gotta go to the range at least 2 or 3 times a week for 2 or 3 months to see real improvement, imo if you are a beginner and only going to the range once a week or less you wont be any good at golf for years.
You’re right- all about the long game! Thanks for watching
If you ask most pro's, practice makes perfect, it just makes sense.
Not sure perfect exists in this crazy game but it definitely leads to more confidence if done correctly
One of my wrestling coaches taught me that perfect practice makes perfect. Practicing something wrong is obviously not ideal. Idk, it's always stuck with me.
@@35tenman love that! Thanks for watching
I would say practice makes permanent not perfect because there no such thing as perfect
@@nickmartinka679 well said!
I hate range sessions. I don't see the point. Range balls generally suck and about half way through a large bucket of balls I totally lose the little enthusiasm I had and have no interest to continue. I'll trudge on just to hit the full bucket but I notice that I am hitting more and more bad shots and risk introducing bad swing habits.
Quality > quantity
Intentionality is the one key thing to golf practice i feel
Agreed - more focused practice is key!
I don't know about anyone else, but when I play golf, the Trees sure do know how to play pretty good defense 😂
Trees are 90% air... right?
@@wickedsmartgolf the trees has some girth here in Utah
Would a free throw in basketball be a good comparison? I mean basketball players of every skill, block practice free throws to death 🤷♂️
It's a part of basketball, just like making 3-footers is a part of golf. Lot more to it though
Free throws are close to the discipline and control that golf requires. A player doesn't get better shooting free throws by practicing shooting from different spots all over the court. You shoot from the line and the more you do the better you get. Hitting a good 50 yard wedge requires hitting that exact shot and randomizing clubs and distance will not help you one bit with that.
I actually had a different podcast guest - Dr. Luke Benoit - who referenced a basketball study and found that players improved their free throws by shooting from various distances. For golf he said if you want to make a lot of 3-footers, don't just work on that length but 3-6 footers. Episode 243 on Wicked Smart Golf podcast if you want to learn more
not that I even disagree but its a bit funny hearing Scott make the argument about studies or examples not being comparable for xyz when stat guys constantly use Professionals data to give strategy for a 15 handicap as their holy grail. Same sport, different game. Can't use generalized pro's data for weekend warriors who play once a month
Hah - I think my biggest takeaway from the full interview we did was practice with purpose. Make sure you have a clear goal for each shot, take more breaks, and don't mindlessly hit balls
When I'm on a simulator, i always hit well on them... then when i go back outside... i hit them terrible. I stay stay away from the simulator now. Ruins my game
Definitely a tough transition sometimes but a good place to make swing changes, speed train, and work on your game in the offseason
Paying attention shows the difference between active recall vs. passive learning.
He's right and wrong here.
Interesting
Golf is the same as all sports you need natural abilities to play well . I would bet no coach in the world can teach someone with no natural ability.
Hard work more important. I was awful in high school with zero talent. Worked hard and became a scratch in a few years. Now a +2.5, hard work beats talent
Prime example Tiger and Daly. Tiger stated Daly was more talented
It would be great if he could back his claims with results from a proper randomized control trial study. Not saying he is wrong or right, just saying that talking is cheap.
Yeah but he has been to enough tour events to see what the pros do. Moral of the story I think is to spend more time with focused practice instead of mindlessly hitting balls
But mindlessly hitting balls is not the alternative, you can have very purposeful randomized practice.
@@dabdias agreed but sadly most people do not
he does "coach" to some extent a shitload of tour players and has been a tour player, I realise that doesn't make everything he says perfect but he does have a view inside the ropes. And thinking about it with the trackman/quad point it means anyone with one of those set up isnt changing targets east/west.
Realistically there will never be a way to prove anything will be the best for every person, people respond to different stimulus in different ways, telling people to practice/play like John Daly would completely fuck some people but it works for John
@@Jeebizz101I don’t disagree with anything you said. The bigger picture point is that, more likely than not, skill development plans that incorporate both block and randomized practice will be the most successful on average. This is what has been found in multiple circumstances and settings. For all he rails against randomized practice, he actually proposes using combines (form of randomized practice) and his putting drills are mostly randomized practice too (they are like games).
So just copy Jack's way... Gotcha
Thanks for watching
Why do we keep listening to this guy when it comes to practice? He has 0 idea what he is talking about. And doesn’t understand the science of training at all. He always quotes one study and that’s all. Ridiculous.
“All the pros are doing that” is the weakest argument ever.
What would you recommend?
@@wickedsmartgolf randomness, representative, pressure, fun, focused on skills, deliberate, … Find actual scientific content and read it. The 2015 season of the golf science lab podcast (10 years ago almost!) mentions plenty of research around golf. Look for names mentioned by Adam Young, Stuart Armstrong, Peter Arnott, Ian Renshaw, Rob Gray, … and read what those persons published. Follow the trail. It’s an incredibly rich field with a lot of golf specific research. There’s definitely more to it than bashing balls repeatedly with one step back.
The guys on the tour are using all these training contraptions because they are getting paid to use them. It’s advertisement for the product, don’t be fooled.
Few training aid brands have a budget for a PGA player. They use training aids because it helps them make more money $$$ with better on course performance
You're too paranoid.