Most golfers think they’re working on their game. In reality, the way they structure it guarantees they’ll stay stuck. Here are a few common types of players: The “tip chaser” - tries something new every week from YouTube. The “just play golfer” - never practices, then wonders why nothing changes. The “wrong fix golfer” - works on things that don’t even connect to their misses (like trying to change club path when the real issue is strike location). If you want real improvement, you need a feedback loop. Here’s how: 1) Track what’s actually costing you shots Don’t walk off the course saying, “I hit it bad.” That’s useless. Instead, note things like: • Thin, fat, toe, or heel strikes • Face control misses (left/right) • Mental/strategy errors: wrong club, poor wind judgment, lack of commitment. Try to look for patterns. If it only happened once or twice, then it's just the "variability" of golf. Look for consistent errors. (and don't forget to internalize your good shots!) 2) Build “if/then” fixes for your common issues. You need a toolbox of adjustments you trust This is why having a laser focus on your faults from your rounds while practicing is so important! You might discover things like: • Sh*nks: Stand farther, focus on heel contact. • Fat shots: Shift pressure to lead side • Thin wedges: Feel more rotation with the chest, not the hands. • Pulls with the putter: Keep the face slightly more open on the backstroke. The point is to know, "if X miss shows up, then I do Y." Without this, you’ll always be guessing. 3) Match practice to context Most golfers live in block practice - using the same club and the same target. Sometimes, that hides your ball striking "truth." Add variety: • Random practice: new target, new club every shot. • Simulated games: play a “round” on the range with full routines. • On-course reps: throw extra balls down in problem areas (like tricky wedge lies). 4) Transfer it to the course It’s not enough to fix something on the range. Test it under pressure: • Add consequences (don’t leave until you hole three in a row). • Track whether your fixes hold up when you only get one chance. The formula is simple: Track → Fix → Transfer Do that consistently, and you’ll avoid the trap most golfers fall into - staying the same year after year and working on the wrong things.