Don't tell my friends, but I've been working on my table tennis skills at home while nobody is here. My roommate Mike has a sweet table in the basement, and we got eachother new "bats" for Christmas...the new rubber can really spin the ball!
So, in this clandestine practice that I was doing today, I was working on my serve. After watching some vids on YouTube (the guys at PingSkills.com are awesome), I wanted to try their techniques out.
After a little exploration, I developed some nice little spinners. One thing that really helped my consistency was visualizing where I wanted the first bounce to hit on my side after I struck the ball. I'll try it again tomorrow, but this technique really improved both my accuracy and control.
Naturally, I translated what I was doing in developing my ping skills into how it could help your golf game....I can't help it, everything comes back to golf!
A couple things stand out:
First, with just a little guidance and not much technical "how-to" instruction, I got enough out of the YouTube videos to be motivated to go practice myself. I had a couple pointers to get me started, but the best "tip" or "technique" was the one that I discovered on my own (the visualization of the landing spot). You can do the same in your golf...find a coach or instructor who can help guide you, but also motivate you to get creative and explore on your own. This is where you are most likely to find your AHA! moments.
Secondly, and a little more golf skill related, was the reminder that putting your mind on your intention can really help your motor skill development. In my ping pong practice, I tried many different types of serve, but my mind was mostly internal, in what my body or hands were doing. When I started to think externally, about where I wanted the first bounce to land on the table, my body and hand just reacted in a nice, athletic and coordinated fashion.
So perhaps the next time you do some chipping in the basement, indoors at a golf facility, or even outdoors (if you are lucky enought this time of year), put your mind in the area of the green (or carpet) that you want the ball to land, and let your instincts find a way to get the ball there. You may like your results!!
Stay tuned for details of my golf fitness seminars coming up this off-season...email me for details, or check back here soon!
So, in this clandestine practice that I was doing today, I was working on my serve. After watching some vids on YouTube (the guys at PingSkills.com are awesome), I wanted to try their techniques out.
After a little exploration, I developed some nice little spinners. One thing that really helped my consistency was visualizing where I wanted the first bounce to hit on my side after I struck the ball. I'll try it again tomorrow, but this technique really improved both my accuracy and control.
Naturally, I translated what I was doing in developing my ping skills into how it could help your golf game....I can't help it, everything comes back to golf!
A couple things stand out:
First, with just a little guidance and not much technical "how-to" instruction, I got enough out of the YouTube videos to be motivated to go practice myself. I had a couple pointers to get me started, but the best "tip" or "technique" was the one that I discovered on my own (the visualization of the landing spot). You can do the same in your golf...find a coach or instructor who can help guide you, but also motivate you to get creative and explore on your own. This is where you are most likely to find your AHA! moments.
Secondly, and a little more golf skill related, was the reminder that putting your mind on your intention can really help your motor skill development. In my ping pong practice, I tried many different types of serve, but my mind was mostly internal, in what my body or hands were doing. When I started to think externally, about where I wanted the first bounce to land on the table, my body and hand just reacted in a nice, athletic and coordinated fashion.
So perhaps the next time you do some chipping in the basement, indoors at a golf facility, or even outdoors (if you are lucky enought this time of year), put your mind in the area of the green (or carpet) that you want the ball to land, and let your instincts find a way to get the ball there. You may like your results!!
Stay tuned for details of my golf fitness seminars coming up this off-season...email me for details, or check back here soon!
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