Golfers are some of the most motivated students in sports. You love the game, you crave improvement, and you’re willing to put in the work. As a coach, that passion is inspiring—but it also brings a unique challenge: most golfers want to fix too much at once.
If you've ever walked off the range wondering, “Why isn’t it all clicking yet?”—you’re not alone. And the truth is: real progress comes from mastering one thing at a time.
The Coach's Dilemma: So Much Potential, So Little Time
When I step onto the range with a student, I often see five or six things we could work on. Grip pressure, swing path, posture, tempo—you name it. But trying to change them all at once would leave any golfer overwhelmed, frustrated, and worse off than before.
That’s why every good coach makes a decision: we pick one key priority that will create the most impact for where your swing is today. And that’s where the magic happens. As the great Butch Harmon says, "Pick out the cancer in the golf swing and fix that before moving on to anything else."
Why “Just One Thing” Works
The golf swing is a chain reaction. One small improvement often corrects two or three other issues without you even realizing it. For example:
- Fixing your pivot might clean up your swing path.
- Adjusting your grip could straighten out your clubface.
- Improving balance might lead to better contact and consistency.
This is why I encourage my students to trust the one priority we're working on—even when it feels slow or unrelated to what they think needs fixing.
The Temptation to Tinker
Golfers are problem solvers by nature. You watch YouTube, follow pros on Instagram, and talk mechanics with your playing partners. That curiosity is awesome—but it can also be a distraction.
Trying five tips in one range session is like changing the tires while driving down the highway. It’s chaotic, and you won’t end up where you want to go. Stick with the process. One small change, practiced consistently, can open the door to long-term progress.
Your Role in the Process
As your coach, my job is to diagnose, prioritize, and guide. Your job? Be
the best student you can be.
- Show up ready to learn.
- Ask questions.
- Practice the one thing we’re working on—even when it feels boring or repetitive.
- Resist the urge to self-diagnose too early.
That's the kind of commitment that leads to real progress.
Encouragement for the Journey
If you're in the middle of a swing change and wondering if it's worth it, here's my advice: keep
going. Trust the work. Trust your coach. Trust yourself.
Progress doesn’t always show up right away, but it’s happening beneath the surface—especially when you stay focused. Golf improvement is rarely a straight line, but it's always moving forward when you're working on the right thing.
👉Book a lesson with me at Irene Golf and Country Club, and let’s uncover something that will change everything forever!