The Scoring Zone is the place where players of all levels play when they are playing to their potential. It is that almost mystical place where you play when you are able to visualize the shot you need to hit then execute it with seemingly almost no effort. At least that’s how it feels to the player and looks to the observer.

The easy part is knowing that the goal is to get into “the zone.” The difficult part is knowing how to get to that place and how to play there more often.

Playing in the zone begins with knowledge. Many players struggle in that they simply lack clear direction in terms of what they are trying to accomplish or what is actually happening. When they fail to execute the shot desired, many players play the game in a constant state of confusion, searching from shot to shot, hole to hole, or even day to day for the next tip or better yet, the next Band-Aid that will magically help them to play better. When a player truly begins to understand or gain the knowledge of exactly what they need to do to improve any part of their game, they are making the first step to playing in their zone.

After knowledge comes execution. First there is conscious execution, and then there is unconscious execution. When you are first learning a new motor skill, from walking to shifting a car manually, the brain has to tell the body what to do. After enough conscious repetitions, the motor skill has been trained and you create an unconscious motor skill. In other words, you can perform without thinking about what you are doing. Playing in the zone ultimately comes down to the student’s ability to visualize the shot and to possess the unconscious motor skill to execute the shot.

Although playing in the zone encompasses the whole game, my focus this past winter was toward all the shots from less than a full swing back to the hole. What I’ve come to clearly understand is that all shots share many of the same characteristics. For example, in all shots, you should have the proper grip. You should address the ball in the correct posture. And, lastly, you should stand to the handle so that your body is dynamically balanced throughout the swing motion.

The common denominator in the swing motion from driving the ball to putting is that the shaft of the golf club should always swing on a plane towards the ball. This would also mean that the clubhead will move on a natural and repeatable arc.

What I’ve learned is that by teaching these skills in the short game, they often transfer into a player’s long game. For example, a player will typically stand at nearly the same posture regardless of whether they are driving the ball or putting. They will stay in this posture for better or worse. Another example is hitting a half wedge shot. When a player has a loop in their golf swing, they will struggle hitting a half shot because they can’t stop the club half way back because they need more time to make their loop. As they learn to hit half wedge shots by keeping the club on plane, they will keep the club on plane in their full swing. The interesting thing is that it is much easier for a player to correct a swing plane problem with a wedge because the club is heavier and moves slower so the player has a much better feel during the motion.

These are some of the reasons we are offering a new venue of instruction called the Scoring Zone. This venue will allow us to devote a full day to all the shots from less than a full swing back to the hole. The day’s schedule will consist of putting, bump and run, 1/2 and 3/4 wedge play, toss shot, hinge and hold shots and bunker play. Having a full day devoted to these shot allows us more time to supervise your practice and execution. For students who cannot commit to a full day we are also offeirng a hald day venue. From my experience in Florida, I know that students who improve in all these areas of the game will also improve their full swing shots all the way back to the tee. I recommend to students whom have taken our other short game schools to consider attending the Scoring Zone Advanced. It will serve as a perfect reminder with more practice time while at the same time adding video instruction to the 1/2 and 3/4 wedge shots.

By learning to play in your zone, you will learn to play to your fullest potential.