Do you invest in regular instruction and practice diligently, but only see marginal improvement? Are you constantly improving or have you hit the proverbial “glass ceiling”?
It is a common lament among mid to high handicap golfers that the more they learn, the worse they play.
The key to transforming your knowledge into results is to assess your core beliefs about the game.
One of the most difficult challenges for any golfer is learning to accept that the game is inherently unfair; the odds are against you. There is always an element of luck that is out of your control.
Your golf game is a byproduct of your beliefs. Perhaps the most difficult challenge for golfers at any skill level is coming to terms with the belief that no matter how many lessons you take or practice the balls you hit, there are no guarantees.
How often have you hit shots like a Tour pro on the practice range and kept playing like a complete idiot? This ailment can affect players of any skill level. A Tour pro can hit a field record 62 on Thursday and score 72 on Friday. There is no rational explanation.
Even at the highest competitive level, players’ swings change from day to day. For the golfer who plays once a week, his swing changes from shot to shot. All you can do is learn to control your thoughts.
How many times have you hit a perfect shot that bounced off a rock out of bounds?
It doesn’t seem fair, but who said the game was supposed to be fair? All you can do is “hope for the best and prepare for the worst.”
In other sports, we can allay some of the blame for our opponent’s poor performance; he or she was stronger or faster. With golf, however, you have no one to blame but yourself.
How can such outrageous odds be overcome?
Adopt the belief that the score is the result of factors outside of your control. Bad shots are inevitable. Instead of looking for a technical panacea on the driving range, develop the mindset that allows you to accept and overcome a bad shot. Set reasonable expectations.
According to legend, Sir Walter Hagen (sorry, showing my age) achieved remarkable success without practicing. When asked about his secret, he replied that he expected to hit at least seven bad shots in a game.
Why not adopt this attitude and stop punishing yourself? You may be pleasantly surprised with the results.
Thank you for reading!