How would you define ability?

Doctorgolf: Stuart Robertson, PGA Professional Coach

I would take the stance that having ability refers to the natural or inherent capacity someone has for performing various tasks.

This may include physical attributes like coordination, balance, or strength, as well as cognitive traits such as memory, spatial awareness, or quick thinking. These set the foundation for learning tasks but are not the tasks themselves.

Being skilful, on the other hand, refers to the learned capacity to carry out any task with proficiency. Skill is developed through practice, training, and experience. This will often involve creating a structured learning environment that will allow a student to explore the full range of experiences necessary to ultimately refine their skills through both deliberate practice and guided feedback.

A practised art

Within the golfing world, technical skills need to be proficiently mastered in order to create a repeatable method of delivering the club and striking the ball in a manner that helps control the desired flight, trajectory, and distance.

Learning how to hold the club in a way that ensures power and control, and creates an athletic but relaxed stance and posture, will help provide more balance and stability. Having command over these learned elements will allow for a more powerful movement, while maintaining control will enable enhanced repeatability with any continuous practice.

There are many players that have an innate ability to hit a great golf shot but this doesn’t necessarily make them good golfers! To become better at the game of golf it will take the combination of some natural talent and a lifelong pursuit of improvement across each of the skills that make up a round. From driving it straight to hitting controlled irons, from pitching it onto the greens to escaping from the trees or bunkers, from putting close from long range to holing out successfully – there are so many areas and various skills to develop.

Having the ability to regularly review and reset your goals will help you continue on an upward trajectory.

Ready to play

If you would like to improve your ability in the golfing environment, then commit to taking a course of lessons to learn the technical aspects of how to swing the club. If you can couple this with some ‘on course’ lessons to help your understanding of which shot to play in each situation – while learning the basic rules of golf and etiquette for playing the game – you will become more ready and more able to accept the next invite for a golf day outing!

I am currently offering a 6-week crash course for any of you looking to get into golf or sharpen your game – please contact me on the details provided or find details on the website. Quote ‘Director Magazine’ to take advantage of exclusive pricing.