Things I Didn’t Do to Become a Scratch Golfer with Michael Leonard
In this episode of the podcast, host Tori is joined by returning guest Michael Leonard to discuss the things he DID NOT do to reach the goal of becoming a scratch golfer (handicap index of 0.0). They dive into the common mistakes and bad habits that everyday golfers fall into, and how avoiding them helped Michael improve his game dramatically.
Avoiding the YouTube Swing Fix Rabbit Hole
One of the biggest things Michael emphasizes not doing on his journey to scratch is going down the "YouTube rabbit hole" and constantly looking for quick swing fixes. He admits searching YouTube for tips in the offseason when you have more free time but says this typically leads to getting overwhelmed with information and trying to implement too many changes at once.
Michael recommends finding one coach or philosophy and sticking to it, rather than bouncing from video to video. He says taking lessons and only making small, incremental swing changes over longer periods yields better results than drastic overhauls. Even tour professionals are constantly evolving their swings little by little.
Overall, he advises avoiding analysis paralysis from YouTube, limiting swing thoughts on the course, and trusting the work you put in on the driving range to hold up during rounds. Staying committed to your swing fundamentals is key.
Not Neglecting the Mental Game
In Michael's opinion, proper mindset training and management may have the highest return on investment for lowering scores. He actively reads books on sports psychology, uses visualization and meditation apps, and got certified in a program called "Mental Golf Type System" to better understand his personality type and optimal pre-shot routine.
Proper expectation management is also huge, as visualization should include planning for bad shots and bogeys instead of exclusively focusing on perfection. Having a healthier perspective makes these inevitable mistakes easier to bounce back from during rounds.
Michael says the mental game allowed him to go from scratch golfer to a plus handicap, which is an incredible feat. It's an area that deserves just as much intention as technical swing work for improvement.
Avoiding Score Goals and Tallying
Similar to proper expectation management, Michael advises against tracking your score on a hole-by-hole basis or setting specific targets for your total score that day. These only add unnecessary pressure, especially when a few bad shots occur and you start playing from behind.
Instead, he suggests having a birdie quota for the round, aiming to make 4-6 per 18 holes. While easier said than done, it keeps you focused on trying to score well on every hole instead of passively counting up your mistakes. Combined with the right mindset, this birdie goal mindset fuels aggression and consistency.
Not Skipping Regular Practice
Although Michael doesn't do extensive golf-specific workouts with cables and balance tools, he stresses the importance of regular practice sessions to ingrain swing mechanics and short game feel. There is no substitute for purposeful reps when trying to improve.
He also advises balancing technical swing work with creative short game shapes and simulations. This makes practice fun while also training you for when bad lies happen on the course. Routine is critical, but so is avoiding boredom through mixed formats and challenges.
In summary, Michael didn't radically transform his body or equipment from the start but used focused, smart practice to develop reliable golf skills suited for his game over time.
Ignoring Course Management Strategies
Reading greens, positioning for ideal yardages, and plotting routes through danger are all key course management concepts that Michael focused on. He references stats showing higher driving accuracy percentages than most golfers realize and advises playing aggressive lines more often than laying back.
Understanding where to miss and what risks are worth taking or avoiding is what allows great ball-strikers to truly score low. Course management wisdom helped Michael's talent translate into scratch ability and beyond.
Conclusion
In the end, Michael credits avoiding common mistakes like swing overhauls, neglecting the mental game and short game, and poor on-course strategies in his scratch golf journey. He took the time to develop skills tailored to his strengths, with player-specific training and high self-awareness. This allowed his natural talent to thrive and meet its potential through a scratch handicap.
The key is avoiding information overload, quick fixes, and unrealistic expectations. Incremental improvements through purposeful practice, customized training, and smart play provide the best path to scratch golf and beyond.
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