Comments on: Desirable Difficulties and Challenge Point: great ways to practice.

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 04:34:00 +0000

Rjohansson, a teaching professional, seems to be saying the same thing as the studies, with a bit of misunderstanding. The studies are assuming certain skills to begin with. An example would be to practice a new math problem, the kids are able to use pencils or calculators correctly, understand the academic language being spoken, etc. They have acquired certain skills already as the golfer must have certain skills to learn new shots. You will not learn how to fade or draw your driver before learning how to grip, stand, takeaway, etc.

The idea that one practices too much is a bit simplified, and certainly not keeping with The DanPlan experiment. A more accurate statement may be, as the quotes and research seems to bear out, you may practice too much of the same thing. As a teacher of kids and a learner of golf, I am fascinated how this research can led to better learning in the classroom for my students and better scores on the course for me

By: thedanplan

thedanplan — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:04:00 +0000

Good game. It’s quite the challenge and makes you realize how good your short game actually is..

By: thedanplan

thedanplan — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 07:03:00 +0000

not quit yet, but that’s the goal for this month. It’s time to do a new driver fitting.

By: Robert Johansson

Robert Johansson — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 10:05:00 +0000

It seems simple at first glance however,
you need technique that matches the Pro level or better, do you have that if not you then need to work the technique first.
What many do is to practice the way above but forget that if you dont have the underlying skill then it wont matter what and how you practice. You wont get better.
It also make sense to practice the same shot 10 in a row, as your ability to make your technique flawless and then improve on that you need both ways, both repetiton and challenge.

I coach on tour level so the repetition is different due to their skill level is high. Most amatuers and those are players with above 0 in handicap aka scratch players dont have the skills to play this level of the game.
Once the technique is on par with the skill then we can add proper practice that increase the skill level and how its applied dont change based upon the enviroment. Before that you need proper technique for the task you want or else you will have inconsistency no matter how you practice.

Since I coach this level of players the whole practice is different due to what they can do they have no clue about how they do it.
Academic studies is fine and dandy but I tested all of those approaches and without technique to support the consistency, it just wont produce the intended result over time.

The way I work allows the player to change their whole swing in 4 months. From previous technique to a new swing action. Hitting it 30 yards with irons longer and adding a few to driver 300-330 yard last year and likely longer this coming season and having a 4% dispersion pattern the one key to golf, unless you have such dispersion pattern you will struggle out there at any level of tour golf. 4% means you miss at average at a 5i with 200yard carry 4 yards left or right, PGA tour average is 8%.
To reach such dispersion pattern for example the technique normally taught for the swing, dosnt allow it.
Mine does. So while a tour player could practice the way above they wont reach a 4% dispersion pattern.

In regard to Dan, he practices to much.
He needs higher intensity, and a cut down on his workload.

By: Peter Eller

Peter Eller — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 06:27:00 +0000

great points , here is another article that seems to support your view

http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/11/11/if-youre-busy-youre-doing-something-wrong-the-surprisingly-relaxed-lives-of-elite-achievers/#

By: Riley

Riley — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 01:38:00 +0000

Did you get your driver figured out?

By: Brian Kuehn

Brian Kuehn — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:09:00 +0000

Some interesting information related to practice. I like the idea of varying each shot rather than hit 10 in a row with the same club/lie/target. Thanks.