I was speaking to a friend and student about his improvement when I heard myself say, “Practice making the right sound at impact.” If anyone else can close their eyes, hear a shot come off a club, and make suggestions, let me know. I suspect there are a few of us who can do it. Anyway, since I began teaching sound, my students have turned corners of progress they never knew existed.

The next time you notice yourself not listening to your golf club interact with the ground and your ball, redirect your attention to sound and recompute your feedback. You will discover a whole new self-evaluation level that does not involve beating yourself up over less optimal impacts. Practice is easier when our criteria for progress puts solid contact first.

Likewise, playing from bunkers is also easier with a thumping confirmation as our club and the sand meet in a drawn-out chorus of bass drum notes and cymbal rides. Avoid the snare drum sound. Visual evidence is always helpful, but audible evidence adds a layer of refinement to the complete practice experience. When we practice using more senses to judge our results, we involve the creative side of our brain.

Chipping and pitching requires our ears, too. I liken it to ripping a three-pointer from deep. “Tchoo” is the sound I like. Wearing earphones or depriving your brain of all available feedback is, I believe, harmful.

For example, while living in South Florida, I watched Kelly K. hit golf balls from a closed stance while listening to music via iPhone ear plugs. She was clanking every shot she hit. I was horrified, because I knew her tour school was next week. Therefore, I got her attention and asked her (Dropped a hint), “Don’t you need to hear impact, too?” She responded shortly, “Why do I need to hear it? I can feel it.”

Not wanting to intrude or dent whatever confidence she had, I waved the high sign and turned away knowing she was in trouble. Well, she wound up finishing last in the qualifier. From that moment on, my advice in practicing has included clicking the hearing tumbler into place.

You may have noticed I mentioned that she set up closed. It’s no surprise one inefficiency accompanies the other. From my point of view, she needed an overhaul that time would not allow. Then again, maybe she knew what I knew – and wore the headphones to avoid hearing what I heard. Poor girl.

John Wright – Founder
The Open Stance Academy

p.s. This will probably appear in a golf magazine by the Fall.