It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing..

This morning I read a report on the BBC about a study done at St. Andrews University :

"Golfers who think too much about their technique between shots could be seriously affecting their performance, a study has suggested." - It suggests that the golfers in the study actually got worse when they verbally described their shots. 

So if we spend too much time analyzing what we do, we do it worse? Interesting. I'd like to see it compared to those who use visualization techniques before the shot. 

"Prof Anderson said the findings may have consequences for people who take part in other sports.

"This observation may have repercussions for athletes who depend on effective mental techniques to prepare for events," he added.

"Moreover, those who teach golf, or any motor skill, might be undoing their own talent in the process." 

I wonder if this works in other professions.. so if I teach speaking, I get worse at it? Interesting, very interesting. I will be keeping an eye on this study. My instincts are to agree and disagree at the same time.

 If we are just talking what we did, rather than what we should have done, is that reinforcing the 'wrong' pattern of action in the brain - is that why the golfer's shots got worse? So if they talked about what they should have done, would the shots have been better? As always I need to know more, but for today maybe we should all just do it, and stop thinking about it. 

Read the whole article from the BBC here.