I received a phone call from a longterm VIP client during the week. It was all in relation to an email lesson that I sent (you can see that here)
Anyway, the lesson certainly peaked his interest as he was quite excited over the phone:
Client: Cameron, this is just what I needed. I haven’t been playing as well as I should the last few months.
Me: What’s been happening?
Client: I’m not sure. Can I ask you a question?
Me: Sure thing. Fire away.
Client: My form has dropped off and I was wondering what you think I should do about it?
Me: What do you think you can do? (this is a classic coaching question where I get the client to do the work)
Client: Well, I am struggling with a draw shot and not sure how to fix it.
Me: But isn’t a fade “your shot”?
Client: Yes. It is.
Me: Then why are you stuffing around trying to play a draw?
Client: I don’t know. I have had a few instances where I needed to play a draw/hook shot and didn’t play it well.
Me: So, let me get this straight…
… you’ve lost the plot because you’ve been trying to play a shot that’s not really suited to you?
Client: Yes. I suppose I have. Should I just go back to hitting my fade?
Me: What do you think?
Client: Yes. I can be so stupid sometimes. But what do I need to do if I need to play a draw shot? The other day I was behind a tree and the only way I could get the ball onto the green was to play a big hook.
Me: And what did you do?
Client: I just aimed right and did my best to avoid the tree.
Me: And what happened?
Client: The ball finished near the front of the green. It was no biggie.
Me: So what’s the problem then? Sounds like you did the right thing.
Client: I suppose there’s no problem. I just wanted some extra distance with the draw shot.
Me: And how has that been working out for you?
Client: Terrible. Been hooking and blocking everything.
Me: Again, sounds like you’ve almost ruined your game by trying too hard to hit a shot that doesn’t suit you. I’m sure you’ll do just fine if you hit your shot.
Client: You’re right. I just need to hit my fade. And if I really need to hit another shot, I’ll sort it out in the moment.
Me: Sounds good to me.
So, my client, like a lot of golfers I speak with, got distracted by the shiny lights of “another” golf shot. The thing is, this golfer can play the fade ALL DAY LONG. He owns the shot and he just needed a gentle reminder to go back to what he knows.
There was really nothing wrong with his game and this is what I told him before we ended our call.
Here’s the thing:
If you’ve been playing for any length of time I’m willing to bet on the following points being true:
1. You have a natural shot shape, that you can for the most part, rely on time and time again.
2. You can use this shot to good effect to play golf WAY better than you’d think possible (this is what almost all the pros do. They have a shot and they hit it MOST of the time)
3. You don’t need any other shiny objects (tips, tricks, ideas) to play you best. Most of us super-crazy golfers can go a long way with hitting our favourite shot (I’ve been doing this for the best part of 30 years and still believe I haven’t maximised my results)
Anyway, I got a phone call from my client last night and guess what?
He won the A grade at his club yesterday and is leading qualifier for a senior golf event.
BANG!!
No technical instruction needed. No swing changes. No need to change golf clubs or stress about things.
Simply, he just needed to play golf HIS way.
To be honest, I hear this king of thing all the time (I think I’ve had 3 or 4 peeps win events over the weekend) and many of my VIP clients get amazing results by taking stuff away.
In a word.
SIMPLIFY
If you want to see the full picture on how to do this, then please consider becoming one of my VIP clients. This training resource contains my best learning strategies and insights that can truly help you simplify and play your best.
It even comes with a coaching call with me and this might just be the most important 45 minutes you’ll spend on your golf game (especially if your golf has hit the skids).