The Key to Accuracy

by Dr. Richard C. Myers

WWW.THINKANDREACHPAR.COM

The greatest single principle to apply in the development of accuracy is to eliminate variables. Within a broad framework of known fundamentals, it is probably the single most important rule. This secret is so important that with it, it is possible for a golfer to take charge of his own instruction after he has learned the simple fundamentals of the grip, stance, and swing. May I add that all of these fundamentals are taught in Sensei Mark Anthony's Body Golf Coarse.

To eliminate the variables we must imagine that there exists a mechanical golfer built like a human. 

First, we see that the top of the mechanical man sways a good bit, so we bolt the head to the ceiling in such a way that it does not move. That way we have eliminate one variable, of keeping the head still.

Second, we see that the guiding lever arm has a loose joint in the middle, so we tighten this section so it does not bend. Now we have a straight arm.

Third, we lower part of the machine dances around the floor, so we eliminate this variable by tightening up the blots that hold it to the floor. This controls the foot action.

Fourth, we find that the club twists as it strikes the ball. We eliminate this variable by seeing that the robot's hands and the shaft are firmly
welded together. We have improved the grip.

We continue doing this for every variable we can find, until accuracy can no longer be improved upon. Of course, we make some concessions. Sometimes we find we can have a permissible error in accuracy in order to develop additional power, but this will occur in a few distance shots.

The principle of eliminating variables can serve as a guide to instruction when the experts disagree. For instance, if someone advocated re-gripping the club at the top of the back swing. This introduces a variable. By habitually slicing or hook shots, is a variable. If by some reason you reduced all of your put shots, this would be a variable.

Another application would be with a problem shot. For instance: there are two ways of playing a cross-wind. One is always play into the wind, which would mean that such shots would have to be hooked or faded. The other is using your normal swing, but allow for the wind. The first method involves the addition of two variables-the wind and the degree of hook or fades to be imparted. The second involves only one variable-the wind. The second method has the probability of greater success.

If you have learned to hit a straight shot with the woods and you now wish to be able to slice when necessary, you have a choice of three methods of slicing.

1. Open the stance.

2. Open the blade.

3. Cut the ball by hitting outside in.

The second method seems to involve the least number of variables, to me. You only change the position of the club in your hands. No muscular changes are required. In the other two methods, you must change muscular re-orientation.

That's like getting out of a sand trap. Some say regulate your distance by taking more of less sand. Others say using the same stroke but varying the power. Of the two, I think the last one has fewer variables. Varying the power.

You are on a par three and have the wind in your face. You can play with a choked four iron, a medium five iron, or a full six iron. You feel confident with all three clubs. If we would follow our plan of eliminating variables, we would play the five iron. In this case, it is pretty clear what you would play, but in many situations, from putts to drives, the decision is not quite so clear.

There are many variables. Mechanical ones, weather related ones, and the lay of the land can introduce variables. There are even psychological variables. The more variables that you can eliminate, of coarse, the better you will play.