A New Focus on Fundamentals

Until a few months ago, my time at the golf course was split between playing and practicing. I used to play 3 days a week, and also do about 3 practice sessions every week.

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As my time commitments have increased in other areas over a period of time, I now have less time available for golf. The practice sessions have, of course, become the first casualty of this paucity of time. Now I play 2-3 times a week, but have virtually stopped going to the driving range or the practice putting green. As a result my game has stagnated, and I no longer have as much fun on the course as I used to.

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As I pondered this turn of events last night, I realized that I needed to do something different to rekindle the passion for the game that I felt just a few months ago. As a result I have decided to give up the game for 3 months.

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I will not play a round on the course for the next 3-months. Instead I will use the available time to focus on the fundamentals of the game with renewed vigor. Over the last 2.5 years I have learnt a lot about golf, and about myself. This sabbatical from golf will give me an opportunity to figure out how to get better at this wonderful sport.

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My approach over the next 3 months will be based on a few guiding principles.

• Almost all good sportsmen have excellent fundamentals. Aberrations like Jim Furyk are very few and even in such cases, a single quirk in technique is highlighted and talked about endlessly without alluding to the fact that 99% of their technique is still extremely sound
• A problem with one of the "true" fundamentals is likely to hinder progress even with great commitment and hard work
• My 47 year old body has limitations - primarily around flexibility - but there are ways in which I can reduce and even overcome those limitations. It will just be more work in the gym!
• It takes some time and many repetitions to build "muscle memory"

My tools will be

• My video camera - it has already been an asset to me over the last couple of days, helping me understand a few "interesting" things about my swing
• A good set of practice balls, and few other practice aids
• Quick tips from my friend and best coach in town - Aditya Kanitkar. I intend to use him as a sounding board and expert rather than a conventional coach
• Videos and articles on the Internet - Rickert Strongert's videos on http://www.videojug.com/ will surely be a part of my schedule
• My imagination - some would argue that it never existed or is already extinct, but what the heck, let me see if I can find it and use it!