Theory-free zone

As everyone knows, of course, theories are ideas or hypotheses that have been researched and tested and stood up to scrutiny - that is, theories are only theories once proven. Most of the guff I've been writing or even advocating have been mere hypotheses. The only theory about golf that can really stand the test of time is 'non-theory'.

What this ultimately means is that there are too many variables, too many unknowns, too many negative, conflicting or harmful ideas flouting around in the world of golf. I've been a victim of tips, ideas and methods - many of them my own ideas (that I wrongly referred to as 'theories'). I've therefore decided to give in and go with a 'theory-free' golf approach.

While I think there is room for learning some basics of grip, set up, alignment and course management, the golf swing itself can take many forms - far too many to be prescriptive about 'how to'. The only thing that matters is what the clubface does when it connects with the ball (and to some degree the direction the clubhead is travelling at that moment).

There is a lot known about biomechanics and the human body and the movement of golf balls also (spin, trajectory, etc.), but all of this is only knowledge; it does not help the average golfer play golf. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. And so is a lot of knowledge.

I'm now on a quest to 'find and own my own swing'. I'm not sure this could be regarded exactly as effortless, but at least I think that cutting out most of the 'noise' from the golf instruction industry might be just what I need. We will soon see whether I can survive in the theory-free zone.