Finding Calm and Control
There are those who think golf has got to technical and maybe they are right but good coaches understand the more knowledge you have the better the understanding of the solution.
There is maybe much to be gained by learning how to approach technical changes, by controlling the mental state. Experienced teachers will always observe technique but teaching a sense of calm and trust to the golfer can help control their rhythm, which controls balance and sequencing, and can thereby affect club head path, speed, face angle at impact and centeredness of contact. Calm and self-assuredness comes from practice and experience, but also from effective self-talk and visualization, and dealing with negative thoughts when they arise.
Prepare for the lesson by trying to reduce your stress a few hours before. Ben Hogan suggested he would drive under the speed limit to the golf course regardless of whether it was a practice session or tournament. A reliable pre-shot routine helps reduce stress also and increase focus over the ball, also great to rehearse during your lesson. It’s the best way to simulate your natural golf swing and offers familiarity. Any good routine starts with the player standing behind the ball, aligning from here does not need to be robotic more a constant process of visualising. Visualising the shot, followed by rehearsed motion of the swing helps the golfer loosen off and feel their unique swing all the while keeping the image of the target in one’s head and looking a number of times to build on that image.