Perfection is a pre-defined all or nothing proposition. In my experience with over eleven thousand students, most harbor the (unconscious) belief that perfect swing mechanics will lead to perfect results. Visit any practice field in the world and you will see that this belief manifests itself in full force.

We need solid fundamentals as a foundation, but the constant search for swing faults just reinforces the belief that you’re not good enough to forget them. It is a vicious circle.

Is perfection defined in terms of form, results, or both? Can you name a professional golfer who has a perfect swing? Some swings are more aesthetically pleasing, but form and function are not always related. How many golfers do you know who are in perfect shape, but can’t get the ball out of a wet paper bag?

How would you define consistency? The most consistent players have obvious swing flaws. Bubba Watson’s feet move and glide like he’s wearing in-line skates. Jordan Spieth’s left elbow has a definite “curve”. Look long enough and you can find technical flaws in almost every hit.

Take a moment to visualize your last perfect shot. Can you remember what you were thinking or feeling? I guess he finds it easier to remember the feeling, rather than the thought process that preceded the shot.

So what is the point?

Consistency is the product of feeling; Your ability to remember the feel of your best shots is the secret to constant improvement. If you can make quality shots on the driving range, then you have the skill. Instead of constantly trying to “fix” your swing, why not develop some techniques to anchor in the feel of your best shots?

Your swing, like your signature, is constantly changing depending on how you feel. Let’s try a little experiment. Do you have a pencil and paper handy? At the top of the page, write your signature as quickly as you can. Now move to the center of the page and do it again.

Can you see a difference in the two signatures? At first glance, they may look identical, but take a closer look. Maybe you put an “I” in a different place or some of the letters are more slanted.

Despite the differences, I would agree that they are consistent – both firms are uniquely yours. Which one would you define as perfect?

Your swing is a by-product of how you feel. How you feel can change in an instant. Develop some techniques to remind yourself of the feeling of success and your degree of consistency will automatically increase.