Repetition

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The only real way to make any kind of permanent change to the golf swing is through repetition. It sounds like a given, but often times we start learning something and achieve some success then move on to something else before going through enough repetition to commit it to muscle memory. It’s like rolling a boulder up a hill. If you stop pushing too soon, it’s going to roll back down to the bottom. Repetition doesn’t just build muscle memory. It also builds mental strength. As you begin to groove the swing, confidence grows. When it comes time to execute under pressure, you’re more likely to perform well.

Repetition is especially important in putting because it’s such a delicate matter. Some of you may be familiar with Phil Mickelson’s 100-ball putting drill. It was shown to him by the great Jackie Burke. I remember reading about it a while back before hearing that Phil had given it a try, and it fascinated me.

The basic idea is that you line up ten balls in a circle around a hole in a three-foot circle. You then move around the circle, putting each successive ball in the hole. Then you line up ten more and continue until you’ve made 100 in a row. If you miss one, you start over.

Talk about pressure. Wow. It probably gets to be a tedious drill after the first 20 or 30. Can you imagine missing after 80 or 90?

In the article above, Rick Smith describes two benefits: first, you’ll be grooving a solid putting stroke. Second, you’ll be building a confidence and mental toughness that will help you to perform under pressure out on the course. The seemingly endless repetition you engage in during practice will turn you into a machine when it counts.

Last Sunday I thought about this drill for the first time in a long while. I’ve been having a rough time with my come back so I need to capitalize wherever I can. I had about a two-foot putt for par. I lined it up and just before I was about to stroke it in, I thought, “don’t muscle it by.” That was dumb. No, I didn’t muscle it by. I left it short. A two-footer. If I had repeated that shot in practice enough, it would have been automatic. I’d have just made a directional read and let it fly. There would have been no need to worry about muscling it or shorting it or any other negative thoughts. It would have been robotic.

Immediately after that, when the expletives stopped, I decided that it’s time for the 100-ball drill. I’m going to give it a shot at my next putting session. I’ll let you know how it works out. I’d also love to hear from anyone who’s already tried it.