"Golf is a sport that is both easy and difficult in a word. Easy? Difficult? What is easy in golf? On the contrary, what is the essence of difficulty in it? This episode's theme is 'Thought vs. Action: Advancing Golf?'."
Golf is a sport that requires the mobilization of countless brain and muscle cells
In modern science, the human brain is reported to consist of 100 billion neurons with 100 trillion individual connections, intertwined with each other. In each of these 100 trillion individual connections, countless chemical reactions occur every moment, consuming enormous energy as these reactions are regulated according to certain laws. Consequently, the brain consumes the most energy in the human body, estimated to be around 20% of the body's total energy consumption.
Golf is a sport that mobilizes these 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion individual connections. Let's go back to when we first encountered golf. Just like many others, terminologies and movements would have been entirely unfamiliar. Terms like grip, address, backswing, takeaway, downswing, impact, follow-through, finish, etc., would have been completely unheard of before delving into golf. Trying to grasp the new terminologies thrown at us relentlessly by golf instructors requires considerable effort. It's the activation of these 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion individual connections.
Why is it so awkward to set up in an address position and swing the club? Even though it's not a major movement, the waist and legs become stiff and painful to the point of feeling like they're seizing up. From this point on, various muscles composed of multinucleated cells such as skeletal muscles, cardiac muscles, and smooth muscles, with diameters ranging from 10 to 100 micrometers, are activated according to the brain's commands. Additionally, the 206 joints connecting various parts of the body come into full operation. The number of muscle cells in the human body ranges from 30 trillion in smaller individuals to 100 trillion in larger individuals, averaging around 60 trillion cells.
"Golf is a challenging sport... Don't get discouraged if you're not skilled"
Among the 60 trillion cells in the human body, it's said that 500,000 cells die and regenerate every second, maintaining life through this cycle of death and renewal. Considering the complexity of numerous brain cells, muscle cells, joints, and even psychological factors like mentality involved in golf swings, it seems inevitable that golf would be difficult for everyone. Therefore, there's no need to be discouraged if your golf skills don't improve easily.
Once you grasp the intricacies of brain cells and muscle cells, it seems that the choice between thought and action (or "action" as you've phrased it) remains. In other words, it's now a matter of deciding whether you'll play golf with your thoughts or with your actions, and which side you'll give more weight to. When golf reaches a certain level of progress, you can visualize your swing even with your eyes closed. Many tour pros refine their shots even while lying in bed, sitting on the sofa, or even during meals. This is playing golf with the mind, thinking golf.
When you need to correct your shot, you ingrain the same movement thousands, even tens of thousands of times, to solidify the swing. It's about receiving the brain's command to correct the shot and embedding it in the muscles through endless repetitions. This process for tour pros has a clear goal: to constantly stimulate the brain to stabilize a new, advanced shot different from previous ones. By allowing the muscles to remember through countless repetitions, they achieve a unified shot where the mind and body are one. According to research, it takes at least 3 months and sometimes 2 to 3 years for tour pros to complete shot corrections. It's a process of endurance.
Shot correction takes a minimum of 3 months, and sometimes as long as 2 to 3 years... it's a process of endurance
However, most amateur golfers have not gone through such a grueling process and time. Those who volunteer to take on these 'rough steps' naturally ascend to the ranks of the adept. This applies to individuals who consistently record scores in their 70s and 60s. Every amateur golfer aspires to shoot in the 70s, but it's no easy feat. To enter the realm of shooting in the 70s, two things are necessary: distance and shot accuracy. For men, being able to drive the ball around 200 meters from the regular tee (white tee) is considered sufficient, while for women, around 160 meters is the benchmark.
Additionally, men should be able to send a 5-iron around 150 meters, and women should have the strength to send an 8-iron around 110 meters, to meet the distance requirements for shooting in the 70s. Next comes shot accuracy. One must be able to hit not only straight shots but also fade and draw shots. This skill is particularly useful as many golf courses in Korea are located on hilly terrain where draw and fade shots come in handy. Furthermore, accurate approach skills from distances of 50 to 30 meters are essential.
Once you have mastered the skills of driving, iron play, and approach shots (both in terms of distance and accuracy), it's crucial to activate the 100 billion cells and 100 trillion individual connections in your brain. Dedicate yourself to 'thinking' golf, focusing on creating a 'training plan (blueprint)' for each shot. One crucial element that must be included in this blueprint is the swing path. Finding the correct swing path tailored to you constitutes 90% of success. You can refer to lesson professionals or golf instructional books to find your swing path. Once the training plan is complete, it's time to set aside 'thought' and concentrate solely on 'action'.
At first, focus on creating a shot-specific training plan with 'thoughtful golf'
Mastering the correct swing path is like a hidden treasure hunt
"Trust the training plan and diligently focus on swing practice"
The process of mastering the correct swing path is akin to a hidden treasure hunt, with the treasure buried deep within. To find this treasure, one must engage in a relentless battle with oneself. It's crucial to let go of complex thoughts at this stage. Complexity in thoughts often leads to confusion, constantly pulling one back to square one and fostering frustration, which often leads to losing interest and giving up on golf altogether. It's imperative to trust the training plan and focus solely on action (swing practice). By steadfastly aligning 'thoughtful concentration' with 'action concentration, ' the awaited shot will eventually reveal itself before you. The human body is truly a marvelous creation of God.
Today, we've examined the importance of first focusing on 'thought' to find the swing path that suits oneself, and then concentrating on 'action' with rigorous practice to make the swing path one's own, in order to progress in golf. Without thoughtful practice, golf cannot evolve merely through aimless swings.
The Story of Maudae’s life and golf continues.