Do you practice consistently and invest in regular instruction, but only notice slight progress? Are you constantly improving, or have you hit the proverbial “glass ceiling”?
Mid- to high-handicapper golfers frequently lament that their game gets worse as they pick up new skills.
Evaluating your core game-related beliefs is the key to turning your knowledge into results.
Learning to accept the fact that the game is inherently unfair and the deck is stacked against you is one of the toughest challenges for any golfer. There is always a component of luck that is out of your control.
Your beliefs have an impact on your golf game. Accepting the idea that there are no guarantees, regardless of how many lessons you take or practice balls you hit, is probably the most difficult challenge for golfers of any skill level.
How often have you played poorly after hitting shots on the practice range that were comparable to those of a Tour pro? Any skill level of player can contract this disease. On Thursday, a Tour pro can shoot a course record 62, and on Friday, they can shoot 72. There is no logical justification.
Players’ swings fluctuate day by day, even at the highest level of competition. The swing of the once-weekly golfer varies from shot to shot. You can only control your thoughts by learning to do so.
How frequently has a flawless shot you made ricocheted off a rock and gone out-of-bounds?
The game doesn’t seem fair, but who said it was supposed to be? All you can do is “hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”
In other sports, we can place some of the blame for our poor performance on the shoulders of the other team because they were more powerful or faster. However, in the case of golf, only you are to blame.
How can you beat such improbable odds?
Adopt the mindset that your score is the result of external factors. Unexpectedly bad shots happen. Develop the mindset that enables you to accept and overcome a poor shot rather than looking for a technical fix on the practice range. Set realistic goals.
Legend has it that Sir Walter Hagen (sorry, I’m getting old) excelled despite never having taken lessons. He was asked what his secret was, and he replied that he anticipated making at least seven bad shots in a game.
Why not take this stance and stop criticizing yourself? The outcomes may pleasantly surprise you.
Thanks for reading!