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Practice Like a Major Champion With These Two Tips

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

We've seen some great performances in Major Championships over the last few weeks. And as a PGA Coach, it's my job to translate those into ways you can improve your own game.
This week I started to think about two things that all golfers can use as they practice in order to get the most out of that critical time in the development of their game: feel vs. real and slow motion practice.
Let me explain.
Feel vs. Real
When it comes to golf practice, there is often a distinction between "feel" and "real." Feel refers to the sensation or perception of what you think you are doing in your swing, while real refers to the actual physical movements and positions occurring. It's important to find a balance between the two to improve your game. For instance, you can practice with your eyes closed to focus on the 'feel' of your swing, and then review a video of your swing to see the 'real' movements and positions.
Many golfers rely heavily on 'feel' when practicing, using their intuition and perceived sensations to make adjustments to their swing. While this can be beneficial to some extent, it's also important to ground these feelings in reality. This is where video analysis and feedback from a PGA Coach can be incredibly valuable. By seeing your swing's real movements and positions, you can compare them to your feelings and unlock a world of potential for improvement, making more informed adjustments.
On the other hand, focusing solely on the 'real' physical aspects of your swing can lead to overthinking and mechanical, robotic movements. This is where cultivating a sense of 'feel' can be beneficial. It's a natural part of the game. Developing an awareness of your body and the club's movements can help you make more natural, fluid swings, putting you at ease on the course.
In essence, the power of finding a balance between 'feel' and 'real' in golf practice lies in your hands. It's about using your instincts and perceptions to guide your adjustments while also verifying and grounding them in the actual physical mechanics of your swing. This balanced approach can empower you, leading to more effective and efficient practice sessions, and ultimately improving your performance on the course.
Slow motion practice
This can be an incredibly effective tool for improving your swing. By breaking down your swing into slow, deliberate movements, you can focus on the finer details of your technique and make precise adjustments. This method allows you to pay attention to your body positioning, club movement, and overall rhythm in a way that's not always possible at full speed.
Practicing in slow motion also helps develop muscle memory and promotes a more consistent and controlled swing. It allows you to feel the sequence of movements and understand the nuances of your swing better. This heightened awareness can lead to improved timing, coordination and, ultimately, better performance on the course.
Slow motion practice combined with video analysis provides incredibly valuable feedback, too. Recording your slow-motion swings allows you to review and analyze your technique in detail, identifying areas for improvement and tracking your progress over time.
Overall, incorporating slow motion practice into your golf training regimen can be a game-changer, helping you refine your skills and elevate your performance on the course.
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.

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