The 1st Stage of the golfers development usually involves developing the basic skills. In the New Horizons Golf Approach that means developing the necessary Putting, Stroke Saving, Wedge Play, Approach, Lay-Up, Driving and Trouble Shot skills. It involves satisfying all the Fundamentals while developing the basic strokes needed in each of those areas of the game.
The 2nd Stage involves developing your Method of Play while organizing your stroke techniques into a defined style of play. This means recognizing your specific techniques, making them your own and mastering them. There are many ways to play the game successfully. In stage two you start defining YOUR WAY! In many ways this stage of development is what solidifies YOUR GOLFING IDENTITY! Having a Method of Play with a kind of personalized identity creates the type of foundation that leads to consistent golf!
The 3rd Stage in the golfers development involves incorporating his or her unique Body Mechanics into the skills. All methods have essential, fundamental and preferential influences. The Essentials are defined by the game itself, the Fundamentals are defined by what we all want while playing, and the Preferences are defined by the unique influences we bring to the game, most of which are determined by our own Body Mechanics.
The 4th Stage involves managing performance, Playing the Game, and that is mainly the arena of our Inner Game and Mental Skills. Learning to program your intentions properly (as I am doing in the picture to the left), followed by processing your shot routine with clarity, inspiration, and without distraction is what ultimately determines how well we perform our intentions. Mastering Stage 4 is mastering your play!
