12/23/2021 ISSUE 26

To Advertise (772-633-1115) ST. LUCIE VOICE | ST. LUCIE WEST AND TRADITION | SPORTS December 23, 2021 19

LEARNING TO GOLF IS A PHASE ... THREE OF THEM, IN FACT KEVIN’S
KURES

Golf is similar to other endeavors in life. not swinging your left arm forward enough will begin to gradually have more success recalled in your subcon-
A lot of the fun is derived from getting bet- and, as a result, your right hand and right accomplishing the new movements. You
ter and improving. It is the challenge of wrist overwork, and cause your left wrist will improve your ability to associate your scious state of mind. You
hitting the ball better and shooting lower to concave/break down at impact. The re- results and movements to the new model.
scores. Many times it is just the simple task sult is fat, thin and poor control over the Your tension will begin to lessen and you will have built new neural
of outplaying your friends and winning a $3 distance and direction when chipping. So will begin to feel a smoother motion and
Nassau. The journey of getting better will, through his or her instruction, your coach your rhythm will improve. Your fear of fail- pathways and rewritten the By Kevin Perkins
at times, become frustrating and it can be clearly defines the errors in the movement ure will begin to subside, and you will also way you will now chip the
difficult to stay motivated. I would like to and then introduces the proper motion. In be able to reduce your focus and attention
identify and review the phases of learning, the early phase, once you have a clear pic- to detail without sacrificing quality. Your ball. Your recall to the new
which will help you maintain your energy ture and understand the motion, in order to self-talk can also be reduced, and your con-
and practice more effectively. The phases of produce new and improved movement you fidence and belief in what you are doing will pattern can be achieved with a very general
learning can be categorized in three phases: must have cognitive or conscious thought to start to increase. Your ‘picture’ and feel to
Early (Cognitive), Intermediate (associative) achieve the new movement. Your thoughts the new model will continue to get better. picture and summoned by simply picturing
and Advanced (autonomous). Each phase must be focused and attentive. The move- As the number of reps increase with your
is unique, and by identifying some of the ments will also be very raw, a bit tense and new chipping method, your success rate in the shot. However, some retention practice
common components of each, this will al- somewhat clumsy. This is very common in matching the model will increase and your
low you to move through the phases more the early phase and should be anticipated. energy levels will rise. must be done to retain and create durability
effectively and will lead to less frustration: Through feedback, you will compare the
results to your new model and either repeat 3. Advanced phase (autonomous). Again, of your new skill. You will be become very
1. Early phase (cognitive). This is the the movement again, if successful, or make with repeated and consistent practice ses-
period when your PGA professional will adjustments to match your new model. sions, hours and, at times, many days of confident, and fear of failure will virtually
help identify your weaknesses and what working on your new motor program, you
you need to do to improve. Let’s use chip- 2. Intermediate phase (associative). As will begin to complete and attain a new be eliminated. The movement will have be-
ping as an example. In the early phase, your you put in the time and add more repeti- movement pattern. The new motor pro-
PGA professional will identify that you are tion with your new movement pattern, you gram will become autonomous or can be come very fluid, graceful and fully incorpo-

rated in long-term memory.

In summary, no matter what level of

golf you play, whenever you undertake the

ambitious goal of becoming better at any

aspect of your game, please keep in mind

that you must go through these three gen-

eral phases of learning. I am convinced that

understanding the learning process will

lead to more focus, increased patience and

an ability to maintain a better attitude and

reduce frustration. 

MAGNIFICENT 7
MAKE ACES AT
PGA GOLF CLUB

MARSHA CRUM: Used a 7-wood from 126 yards JIM CAPUTO: Used a pitching wedge from 119 MARGENE GRADY: Used a 9-iron from 101 yards What on earth is going on at PGA
on the Dye course’s 13th hole. Golf Club?!? A heck of a lot of
holes-in-one, for one thing. The
past fortnight saw an incredible
seven golfers make aces at the St.
Lucie West golf complex. Mar-
sha Crum, Jim Caputo, Margene
Grady, Thomas Paradiso, Ron
Gourley, Sharon Sampson and
Brian Davis all experienced that
unique hole-in-one thrill.
Congrats to all! 

on the Ryder course’s 16th hole. yards on the Wanamaker course’s 6th hole.

THOMAS PARADISO: Used a pitching wedge RON GOURLEY: Used a 6-iron from 189 yards on SHARON SAMPSON: Used an 11-wood from 147 BRIAN DAVIS: Used an 8-iron from 141 yards on
from 113 yards on the Wanamaker’s 6th hole.
the Ryder course’s 16h hole. yards on the Ryder course’s 7th hole. the Ryder course’s 10th hole.