When I give a golf lesson I try and give my students one swing thought that is going to help them with our goal for that lesson.  But what I forget is that they already have swing thoughts of their own and when I add what I think they should be doing, their mind is full.

I heard a great analogy about learning the other day and wish to share it with you.  It came from Hank Johnson and it is in regards to the learning process of a student.

He refers to learning and your brain like a cup:  A full cup, a half cup, an empty cup and a cup with a hole in it.

When you come to a golf lesson your cup should be empty.  You can then hear the message we give to you and are receptive to learning.  But a lot of times your cup is full.  You have so many swing thoughts that one more from me or anyone will overflow your cup and you cannot learn anything more.

Sometimes you come to a golf lesson just to take a golf lesson.  That is when your cup has a hole in it.  The information flows in but flows right out and does not stick.  Those people did not want to listen to new information and are not receptive to new thoughts and learning.

If you can come to a golf lessons with an empty cup or mind, the new information will stay with you as you go to practice and play. 

So the next time you take a golf lesson, empty your cup and go with an open mind for learning.  You will be glad you did.