How often have you discovered the key to consistency, only to have the new technique disappear forever in the next game? The game has no favorites; the emotional roller coaster affects players of all skill levels. One of the most difficult aspects of golf is the unpredictability of the game. Your ability to deal with this element is the first key to consistency.
Did you watch the 2017 British Open?
After Jordan Spieth hit his tee shot on the thirteenth hole, a hundred yards out of line, golf analysts began to dissect his swing to find the critical flaw. Whether you play for the beer or the Claret Jug, bad shots are inevitable; the more at stake, the greater the error.
The first lesson we can learn from Jordan Spieth is patience. Stop punishing yourself after a bad shot. Set reasonable expectations. Allow yourself ten bad shots per round.
The second lesson is planning. If you are willing to spend four and a half hours trying to bury a ball in a hole, you can surely take twenty minutes to visualize the potential challenges. Will you be able to bounce back when your ball lands on thick rough? How would you minimize the consequences when your ball ends up behind a tree? Perhaps a twenty foot uphill putt is smarter than hitting the pin and ending up with a slippery four foot downhill putt.
The third lesson is to put. After making a remarkable bogey on the thirteenth hole, Jordan Spieth proceeded to shoot four bass on the next four holes. Lucky? Maybe, but it seems like big putters are going to sink every putt. Get in the habit of telling yourself it’s a great putter. You will be surprised how often the ball disappears to the bottom of the glass.
Based on the plethora of technical advice, it would be logical to assume that mastering proper technique is a priority for amateur golfers. Obviously, you need a clear understanding of the basic mechanics of the swing; the stronger mind cannot compensate for a dysfunctional grip.
A constant swing is the by-product of a constant set of beliefs.
In my experience with over eleven thousand students, most once-a-week golfers have the exact opposite belief.
Patience, planning and putting are the three qualities that allow Jordan Spieth to play at a level far beyond his technical ability. Embrace the three “Ps” in your game and discover your natural ability that goes beyond swing mechanics.
Thank you for reading!
