The golf establishment preaches that the secret to improving your game lies in buying the latest clubs and balls or expensive lessons coupled with endless hours of practice.

Does it work? Not likely. The sad true is that USGAGÇÖ s own research shows that there is almost never significant improvement for golfers who have been playing for more than three years. WeGÇÖve all been brainwashed to believe that the anguish and disappointments experienced almost every round are simply GÇ£part of the gameGÇ¥.

I'm just curious to know if other people believe what the USGA says "that there is almost never significant improvement for golfers who have been playing for more than three years". I'm beginning to believe it is true.

I agree with that statement to some degree, but I do believe that the 'right' equipment for the player can make a significant difference (especially if that equipment is properly fit). So many players purchase the wrong or improperly fitted equipment for them and thus never show much improvement. It's the old "Indian or the Arrow..." debate. I believe it's important to test equipment with an open mind (not going in believing you have to have a stiff shaft or brand XYZ), then when purchasing get properly fit (perferrably a dynamic fitting). If a player does this, I do believe improvement is possible (if player is dedicated to improvement).

Of course there is also an issue where new equipment takes some time to get accustomed to and this often frustrates players, who then just go looking for something new. According to my Dad, a PGA Pro, the magic 'elixir' for improvement is positions (aka proper mechanics - usually via lessons), practice, patience and programming (term my Dad used for the mental side of game and course management - he liked keeping them all 'P'). If these elements exist, then proper equipment can make a difference.

(Just as a note, my Dad would also sometimes throw into his 'P' lesson the other elements he thought were important - passion to improve and positivity to believe you can).

its just capitalism. we buy new equipment hoping for the fix and some of the new stuff is so damn attractive we can't help it.

my personal opinion is that we lack improvement because we don't know where to start to improve. just like anything, we have to start with fundamentals and go from there. a bad swing with old clubs or new clubs will most likely yield the same results.

iluv,
I think I agree with you most about people not being able to improve because they don't have or have never been taught proper fundamentals. Most golfers I have ever played with are "self-taught". I do believe that will change as Tiger (and others) has changed the paradigm that golf is not just an adult sport. More youth will get lessons and learn swing fundamentals.

farm_kid-

I disagree that kids will get lessons and learn the basics. Remember- Tiger isn't the first person to "change golf forever." Lessons cost money- and when you're on a limited budget already, which is more fun, playing or taking a lesson? My money is going to a round of golf every time.

The fact is- it's about practice- which sucks because nobody has time to spend practicing a ton, even if that's on the course. People like Jim Furyk show that a bad swing can be good if you repeat it enough times.

To get good at golf- you need to do it 3 or 4 times a week. Good luck with that!
_________________
Kickntrue-
Duffing since 1993

I was just floored when I read this sentence..."USGAGÇÖs own research shows that there is almost never significant improvement for golfers who have been playing for more than three years."... I have only been playing about 5 years myself, but I had high hopes of getting better.

i relate a golf swing to calculus. if you don't know the preliminary functions and don't do your homework/practice, figuring out how to move on to the next function will be a disaster.

then again, a golf swing is supposed to be very natural. so perhaps i shouldn't overthink it, right?

anyhow, this game is all opposite of what anybody would think anyhow. swing easy to hit hard, less of a backswing will equal more distance, hit down on the ball to hit it higher, jesus. no wonder us novices can't figure it out.

Thank you for the support, I'm attributing the latest meltdown to winter conditions, bulky jacket, creaky bones, hard ground. I stung my hand hitting the ground yesterday on the first hole. Never recovered.