| Much is written about muscle memory for golf and | | | | playing at age 25 or later? Yes, and that is why |
| much of it is probably true. Interestingly, one does not | | | | numerous training aids were invented, several of which |
| hear about muscle memory from the top | | | | focused on developing muscle memory for a specific |
| professionals. The reason is that for them, their muscle | | | | aspect of the swing. One of the most successful is a |
| memory is already developed and they started | | | | hinged iron or driver that has a break designed in its |
| developing it at early ages. Tiger Woods was seen on | | | | shaft. The shaft collapses if either the golfer's take |
| national television at age two with a swing that was | | | | away or follow through are not properly executed. |
| already well developed. Arnold Palmer started playing | | | | Another aid is a jacket that restrains the golfer's torso |
| at age four, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, and Jack | | | | from performing unwanted moves. Still another is a |
| Nicklaus at age 10. Marlene Bauer Hagge started at | | | | plane guide which helps the golfer to develop muscles |
| age three. Many of the new young golfers like Sean | | | | that enable a repeatable and proper plane for the full |
| O'Hair, Zach Johnson, Paula Creamer and Morgan | | | | swing. All such aids work by providing feedback so |
| Pressel, all started at age 10 or younger. | | | | that the golfer will swing correctly, eliminate their swing |
| Some physiologists say that it takes over 10,000 | | | | flaws and ultimately, repeat the desired swings. |
| repetitions of the desired movement to be memorized | | | | I have tried these three as well as many other aids for |
| by one's muscles. They also say that proper feedback | | | | the grip, the wrist, the left arm, the triangle, and more, all |
| is required for the muscles to memorize that desired | | | | with varying successes. My biggest flaw and perhaps |
| movement. Young golfers gain such feedback from | | | | the biggest flaw of most high handicap golfers, was |
| their instructors or even better, on the course or | | | | that of coming up and out of my shot. I could not keep |
| practice range. The feedback is given in the form of | | | | my head behind the ball through impact. I could not |
| well struck shots. So the golfers try to continue to do | | | | maintain my spine angle. |
| what they did to achieve that perfect shot. | | | | Wanting to improve my game, I did considerable |
| With maybe 50 to 60 shots per round (30 or so for | | | | research on the golf swing and found much of it to be |
| putting) it would take 200 rounds of golf to achieve | | | | contradictory and arguable. Two aspects of the swing |
| 10,000 repetitions. And these would not even be | | | | however emerged as being irrefutable. And they were |
| repetitions of the same shot. Fourteen of the 50 would | | | | pertinent to my flaws. Every pro will agree to: keep |
| be with the driver; five or so with fairway clubs; maybe | | | | your head behind the ball through impact and maintain |
| 30 with irons; and different irons at that. Even more to | | | | your spine angle. In fact it is difficult to do one without |
| consider is that the only positive feedback gained | | | | the other. By focusing on developing muscle memory |
| during a round is when the golfer hit the perfect shot. | | | | with these two aspects of my swing, I was finally able |
| No other verbal or tactile feedback is given, unless the | | | | to break 80 (shot a 78) for the first time in my life at |
| golfer was playing the round with his professional | | | | age 65. I have shot in the 70's several times since. |
| instructor. | | | | Correct muscle memory for golf can be developed at |
| Wow! Is there any hope for the golfer who started | | | | any age with tactile feedback and repetition. |