Art or Science?

HELP!  Golf has been taken over by scientists. 

Don't get me wrong, technology has made huge advances with equipment, especially the golf ball.  I certainly enjoy hitting it straighter and farther (despite missing the sweet spot).  There is some element of guilt, however, as I curse my 'missed' drive only to get some snide looks from my playing partners as the ball sails down the middle of the fairway.  "I didn't deserve that" is what I'm left thinking.

Despite all the gains from technological advances in equipment, however, we have yet to see any substantial reduction in amateur's handicaps.  Technology such as ultra slow-motion cameras and NASA-like launch monitors has certainly improved our knowledge of the golf swing and impact conditions.  This has yet to make it any easier for us to actually swing the golf club (and I would suggest that to most amatuers focusing on all this information actually hinders their ability).  It seems that the more information we get about the golf swing, the harder it is to actually play well.  What is the point of knowing your angle of attack, your club head speed, the plane of your swing and the direction your club face is pointing at impact if it disassociates you from "feeling" your golf swing and from paying attention to what the golf ball does as it comes off your club?

This is not to say that there is no room for coaching, quite the opposite.  There is a desparate need for appropriate coaching.  The trick, then, is to get back to swinging.  Look at your target and get out of your own way.  We all have a workable golf swing in us.  Try to connect with that and leave the scientists in their labs- I'm going outside to enjoy the game.

More to come...