Ep. 55 | Dr. Will Wu, PhD - How To Practice According to Science, The Most Common Mistakes Amateur Golfers Make and The Power of External Focus

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In this episode of the Urban Golf Podcast, Dr. Will Wu discusses the importance of practice science in golf, highlighting common mistakes made by both amateurs and professionals. He emphasizes the significance of understanding practice personalities, the myth of learning styles, and the power of observational learning in skill acquisition. The conversation also delves into the efficiency of communication in coaching and the ongoing debate between internal and external focus in golf instruction. In this conversation, Leo Rooney and Dr. Will Wu delve into the importance of external focus in enhancing movement efficiency, particularly in sports like golf. We discuss how external cues can lead to smoother and more athletic movements, contrasting this with the inefficiencies of internal focus. The duo emphasizes the significance of managing expectations in golf performance, especially among junior players, and the inherent inconsistencies in skill-based sports. They also explore the balance between block and random practice, advocating for a tailored approach based on individual needs and goals. In this conversation, Will Wu and Leo Rooney delve into the intricacies of golf practice, discussing the effectiveness of different practice methods, the importance of frequency, and how to manage both physical and psychological fatigue during training. They emphasize the need for individualized practice plans that evolve and introduce the innovative Practice Coach app, which utilizes AI to tailor practice sessions based on player assessments and performance data.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Practice Science in Golf
03:02 Common Mistakes in Golf Practice
05:57 Understanding Practice Personalities
08:51 Abandoning Techniques: When and How
12:07 The Myth of Learning Styles
15:01 The Power of Observational Learning
17:53 Communication Efficiency in Coaching
20:51 Internal vs External Focus in Golf Coaching
29:40 The Power of External Focus in Movement
33:20 Optimizing Practice Through External Cues
39:19 Managing Expectations in Golf Performance
42:53 Understanding Skill-Based Inconsistency
49:34 The Balance of Block and Random Practice
56:50 Understanding Practice: Block vs. Random
58:59 The Importance of Frequency in Practice
01:01:40 Managing Physical and Psychological Fatigue
01:04:36 Optimizing Practice Sessions for Better Learning
01:08:06 The Individualized Approach to Practice Plans
01:19:08 Introducing Practice Coach: AI in Golf Training

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