Take Your Best Game to the Course

Taking it to the Course

What keeps you from taking your best game to the golf course? Everyone wants consistency in their game, but it appears to be so elusive. I believe it begins with fear and only ends with confidence. What’s in between is commitment and trust.

Fear

• Are you clear about executing a shot or does your focus lie in playing “avoidance” golf?
• Golf is a game of misses. The only perfect shot is a hole-in-one, so accept that while you will not always execute perfect shots, the misses work too.
• Fear not.
  

Commitment

• Attaining each level of competency in the game requires the focus of time and energy. Commit yourself to whatever time you have available to take instruction, practice and play. Set goals accordingly. (S.M.A.R.T. goals are a great start: Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic & Timely)

• Commit yourself to the fundamentals: grip, posture, aim and alignment.

• Always have a target. Golf is a target game. Be specific. Evaluate and gain feedback.

• Commit to gaining proficiency on a particular shot for a specific period of time. e.g. short pitching, bunker play, fairway woods, mid-irons, etc.

Trust

• Decide the type of shot you want to execute and trust it. (I had the opportunity to work with former LPGA Tour Player Donna White several years ago on my own game. She preached, “State your intention, then execute it.”) Indecision ruins many shots, especially short game shots.

• See it, feel it and rehearse it in the “mind’s eye” before you execute it.

• If your mind wanders as you begin to address the shot, begin again. (This takes more courage and discipline than you realize.) Develop and practice a pre-shot routine on the practice tee you can take to the golf course. For beginners – this helps combat first tee jitters.

Confidence

• All of the above leads to confidence and greater success if you have a plan and a process. Failing to plan is planning to fail by default.

Play on and ENJOY!