Commit!

Greetings Golfers,

Played golf the other day with my sons and one of their friends. I’d played with this guy a few years ago and he was a pretty decent player. Well, the first 9 holes the other day were not good. Bad is actually the word. And … he’s obsessed … it’s not that he seldom plays. 

But, his instructor changed everything he was doing and insisted he have a weak grip. Hmmm … this fellow was already a fader of the ball … with this new grip he had to come violently over-the-top not to hit vicious slices.

Also … his new swing had zero athleticism. Zero. And this guy is a good athlete.

Finally, on #11, we talked and all of us convinced him to go back to his old swing. He actually played well and kept improving as we went on. 

What he needs is not a new swing … but rather more shot-making ability. 

The search for the “perfect” robotic swing is not a good thing. The hope that you develop an automatic swing is not what golf is about (or life). It’s the same attitude as a self-driving car. So … you’d rather trust a computer to judge the icy roads and deal with last-second crazy situations? Then in the same vein, you’re just going to walk up to the ball and go through your robotic routine and then the shot happens automatically. No thinking, no caring, no feel, no awareness … just plug in the yardage and away you go. 

Wow.

Why even live? Maybe you can merge with an AI computer and go through life unscathed. Is that the goal? Heck, I’m actually proud of my scars.

Maybe it’s part of a fear-of-failing mentality. Failing isn't so bad … living in fear on the sidelines is bad - really bad.

I’m not advocating reckless behavior. But I am recommending swinging-the-bat rather than hoping for a walk.

Lately, I’ve been wrestling with the concept of consistency. I think consistency needs to be the fruit rather than the goal. I think what is needed is commitment.

Of course I want our staff to be consistent - show-up on time, etc. However, if they’re really committed … they will show-up on time and do what is needed. It might come off as consistency … but commitment is what makes it work … consistency is the fruit.

Same with your golf game. Commit to your shots. Don’t just go through the motions. 

And the better you get at hitting golf shots … the more you can commit to the right shot in the right situation. 

The joy of golf does not come from turning into a robot and hoping that your new AI persona will play golf for you.

Commit!
 

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com