The Four Stages of Learning

There are four stages of learing:

1. Unconsciously incompetent.
   You don’t know what your problems are, and you don’t know how to identify them.
2. Consciously incompetent.
   You see a lot of your problems, but you don’t know how to correct them.
3. Consciously competent.
   You know how to correct your problems, but it will take time and practice.
4. Unconsciously competent.
   You play well without thinking about it!

Each stage takes time, but with practice they’ll go more quickly. Even if you practice in your back yard or living room, you’ll be developing the skills to be “unconscious”.

When you’re learning to play golf, have fun, and don’t torture yourself out on the course. If you hit your ball into the sand bunker, try to hit it out once. If you can’t get it out with your club use your foot wedge (kick it) or pick it up! But don’t sit in a bunker for 10 minutes racking up strokes and your blood pressure. Take it easy on yourself in the beginning. Give yourself breaks, and if you need to put a ball on the fairway, you’re learning a game. Never forget, games should be fun!

Link to the next chapter The Six Fundamentals of Golf