ABSTRACT
Many developing golfers enlist coaches to guide their practice, and also explore the plethora of books, websites, YouTube videos, training aids, video analysis apps, and even virtual reality simulators that promise to help golfers fix their problems and grow their skills. The concept of deliberate practice (DP) is primarily attributed to K. Anders Ericsson whose seminal research on students in a premier music academy led to the conclusion that the greatest predictor of skilled vs. elite musicians was the amount and quality of practice. There are three types of simulator fidelity: physical, psychological, and functional. Although there is a plethora of golf instruction theories and techniques, most are based on personal experience and unproven anecdotal evidence. This chapter provides information regarding the importance and nature of DP, and how applying the seven criteria of DP to golfers’ real and simulated practice activities can enhance their learning, development, and subsequent pressurized performance.
