In the late 1970’s, my older brother went to college and majored in computer science, and I remember watching him do his “programming” homework.  He would use circles and boxes with arrows directing the program.  These arrows would either move you forward to the next box or loop you back to a previous one.  Of course, compared to today, computer programming would be considered archaic. 

In golf learning, you are currently in one of four mental BOXES:

UNCOMFORTABLE/INCORRECT… Most likely how you started out, and if you are a beginning golfer reading this, the first few times holding and swinging a golf club, it was not only uncomfortable due to lack of experience, most likely incorrect since you’ve had no or limited formal instruction/awareness of the relevant and required science/laws.  Then…

COMFORTABLE/INCORRECT… There is a basic instinct to eliminate the feeling of being uncomfortable.  Human nature takes priority over any golf goals.  Unfortunately, this “mental box” is the most common and where most players remain their entire “careers”, becoming content with a range of golf scores, convincing themselves that it is “good for them”, because the next step is scary and the hardest to take; but if you take the “plunge”, then…

UNCOMFORTABLE/CORRECT… Yup, your back to feeling uncomfortable because you gained heightened clarity perhaps from a qualified PGA Professional.  Since it is initially uncomfortable (as anything new in life is), there is an urge to retreat back to the comfort of the last box.  Although you know you are on the logical right track clarified by your instructor, you just can’t stand how awful that correct grip feels, or how “weird” that correct backswing feels etc. so you “loop” back to the “comfortable” stage… too bad, because you almost made it, you were “that close!”  This step takes the most patience, maybe it’s the “purgatory” of golf development.  It’s in this box when most golf professionals become coaches, encouraging you to “hang on” until your timing catches up with your improved mechanics and your “penance” in this box is up. 

If you make it, the rewards are great as you reach the ultimate stage…

COMFORTABLE/CORRECT… CONGRATULATIONS!  You made it to the same stage as all top players…welcome.  You didn’t panic when poor shots and/or rounds occurred because you knew you would get to this stage eventually and made the needed changes to get you here.  Now your correct swings feel comfortable as well, and since it feels comfortable, why not repeat it, and if you repeat it, it gets more and more comfortable… and you get BETTER AND BETTER!  Now that’s a good loop to be stuck in!

Bottom line.  These programming steps are required to reach your personal potential but be warned; if you dedicate yourself to progressing through each box, know that performance will be like a “yoyo.”  Performance will go “up and down”, will “suffer” and then develop, suffer, then develop, suffer then develop until you reach the COMFORTABLE and CORRECT box.   

RECOGNIZE PERFORMANCE “INCONSISTENCY” AS A REQUIRED STEP TO REACH CONSISTENCY SOMEDAY, BUT YOU CONTROL THE YOYO!