The Difference Between Practicing Your Swing and Building Skill

In this episode, Jon and Adam explore why golfers can spend years chasing technical swing changes without actually becoming more skilled or consistent. They discuss why “fewer moving parts” doesn’t necessarily lead to better golf, and how constant internal thinking can pull attention away from the decisions and feel required to actually play the game. Adam explains how differential practice—intentionally changing strike location, face direction, trajectory, and other outcomes—can help golfers build the ability to self-correct rather than depend on a single swing feel. They also cover why meaningful improvement often requires exaggeration, experimentation, and learning the right “dose” of a correction instead of endlessly searching for perfect mechanics. The larger message is that technique still matters, but developing adaptable skills gives golfers a better chance to improve, troubleshoot their games, and carry those gains onto the course. Watch Adam's conversation with Rob McGarr here Thanks to our show sponsors The Indoor Golf Shop, Lagoon Sleep, LMNT, and Ethos: The Indoor Golf Shop⁠ has everything you need to build or upgrade your home golf setup, including top launch monitor brands, hitting mats, nets, impact screens, and custom enclosures. Their team can also help design everything from residential simulators to full commercial facilities. When you bundle a complete simulator package, you can save up to 20% on your launch monitor, mat, screen, enclosure, and more. Visit ⁠shopindoorgolf.com⁠ to see their latest deals or speak directly with their team about the best setup for your budget. • Lagoon Sleep helps you find the right pillow for your sleep position and body type with a quick two-minute quiz, giving you a more personalized setup for better rest and recovery. Their adjustable pillows are trusted by elite athletes and can help with neck support, cooling, and waking up without aches or pains. Sweet Spot listeners can get 15% off by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lagoonsleep.com/sweetspot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and using promo code SWEETSPOT. • As the weather gets warmer, staying properly hydrated on the golf course becomes even more important. LMNT’s new Lemonade Iced Tea flavor combines electrolytes, magnesium, and potassium with no sugar or questionable sports drink ingredients, plus caffeine from black tea extract for a steadier energy boost. Because the caffeine comes from tea, it’s naturally paired with L-theanine and polyphenols, which can feel smoother than the spike-and-crash effect of many energy drinks. For golfers looking for hydration and a little back-nine energy, this is a great option to try. With any purchase you're going to get a free sample pack. To claim your special offer visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠drinklmnt.com/sweetspot • Protect your family’s financial future with life insurance through ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ethos⁠⁠⁠⁠. Ethos makes the process simple and 100% online—you can get a quote in seconds and apply in as little as 10 minutes, with coverage options up to $3 million and some policies starting around $30 per month. There’s no medical exam required—just answer a few health questions online to get started. Learn more and get your free quote at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ethos.com/SWEETSPOT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices