Developing Sport Expertise, 2nd Edition

CHAPTER 9

PRACTICING IMPLICIT (MOTOR) LEARNING

RICH MASTERS

 

At the US Masters in 2012, Gerry Watson found himself in a play-off. Under immense pressure, he played a golf shot that no “weekend warrior” could play (at least, not intentionally). In the trees of pine debris, “Bubba,” as his father nicknamed him, hit a 164-yard hook shot with a 52-degree wedge. The ball literally bent around a corner and onto the green. Bubba Watson's website states that he received a solitary golf lesson from his father when he was very young. After that the rest is history!

INTRODUCTION

Lion cubs at play in a pride acquire skills that are needed for survival. They stalk, pounce, and wrestle, oblivious to the fact that their competence at the skills will someday ...