Trying to do everything at once

We all want to get better, but often we try to get better at everything at once. This often leads to either no improvement or even worse, we can see our game deteriorate because of confusion and no real plan.

I was reminded the other day that a lot of things can be compared to the 80/20 rule or sometimes called “The Pareto principle”. This is a simple broad generalisation that states for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes like for example 20% of the population controls 80% of the wealth, or in business 80% of sales come from 20% of your clients. Another example is, Microsoft noted that by fixing the top 20% of the most-reported bugs, 80% of the related errors and crashes in a given system would be eliminated, or here’s another we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time.

Although these examples may not be entirely accurate they are in general quite true. We can use this same principle in looking at ways to improve your golf. The key here is focus on the crucial parts the let the larger part of your performance develop naturally. Here’s an example; a lot of people say to me that they need to improve their “short game”. But the short game at its basic involves putting, chipping and bunker play. Why not pick one of these components to start with let’s say it could be putting. Now work on what part of putting you can improve, like holing 4-5 footers or distance control that will have the biggest effect on your performance. Rather than diluting your practice time on all the disciplines work on one of them for 80% of the time and improve it before you move on to the next area. The main part to this is to identify the important areas in your game and start there, the rest can follow.

Appointments with Paul for golf lessons in Wicklow can be booked via Powerscourt Golf Club Reception: Tel (01) 204 6033 or the Golf Shop Tel (01) 204 6031. Read more about lessons from Paul Thompson by visiting the Powerscourt Golf Club Website.