Golf is a Target Game

One element I chose to add to my lesson time lately is playing catch with students. The purpose is to remind each other what the goal is when you play. The goal is to hit your target, as consistently as possible, which builds confidence. Curiously, I ask how much they were thinking about their mechanics. The answers are mostly, “not at all.” The only goal in our mind is to reach our target, which in this case is the other person. That doesn’t mean we always hit our target, but the point is to train your mind to focus on where you want to go, and adapt if necessary.

If you’re walking down a hallway, you’re not thinking about how to move your legs as you walk. You have established a normal walking pace over time. You have a destination, a motivation, and you’re moving towards it. if you stumble, your mind shifts towards regaining balance, and then you adjust and continue. If you need to move faster, your brain will signal to your body how to move faster. Imagine having to think about your mechanics while doing something as simple as walking.. you would drive yourself nuts, and you wouldn’t be able to appreciate much around you.

The target in golf is not the ball, it’s not your swing, it’s your destination. You have a tool in your hand that’s going to help you get to your target. Understanding how to use that tool, will greatly increase your skills and creativity. If you choose the wrong tool for the job, your swing will suffer automatically. You need to feel the appropriate swing to hit your target, which is accomplished through practice. You have to realize what the most common targets are in golf, so you can choose which shots to practice. Even if you’re a novice player, your only goal should be an educated guess or feeling on how to hit your target. You have to be 💯 committed to your target. That gives you the best chance of success. Choosing the correct target is an important skill to score effectively.

There are many golf shots you can learn how to play. There’s nothing wrong with evolving your understanding of your swing mechanics. The complication that most players have is getting lost within mechanics, to the point that they aren’t playing a game anymore, they’re playing a swing. It’s the unfortunate biproduct of modern golf instruction or “the YouTube golfer.” Information and technology are great, but how are you discerning what you want to know vs what you actually need to know? Eventually, the guessing game becomes exhausting and frustrating, which is generally when I get a phone call or email. I’m the last resort lol.

When I get asked a question about the golf swing, such as “how does my grip look?” My answer is generally, “it depends on what you’re trying to do.” Most of us are seeking how to get fixed, thinking there is a “right way” to swing the club. You’re asking the wrong question. Everything starts with a goal. How far are you trying to hit the ball? Do you want the ball to fly high or low? What do you want the ball to do when it hits the ground? Before every shot I hit, I paint a picture before I even address the golf ball.

When children go the playground, nobody asks them “how did you play?”

You may ask “Did you have fun?”

We ask that question because we know what the goal is before we get there. We understand the purpose. Before you go play a round of golf, is your goal to think about 10 different things in your swing, curse after every miss hit, talk down to yourself, hit perfect golf shots, score your lowest round ever, fix your swing, and blame the course or other people if things don’t go your way? No, of course not. This is a result of unrealistic expectations and mismanaging your emotions. It’s the entitled golfer.

Your golf swing begins before you even step on the mat or step foot on the golf course. What is your target? What is your goal? If you learn what to focus on, it’s just a matter of going through the motions and enjoying yourself. If you don’t enjoy playing golf, you need to take a big step back and reflect on your goals. Figure out why you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Attitude and accountability are necessary for everything in life. Golf is a hobby that gives and takes. Nothing about this game is easy, which is why you can’t fake being good. Write down your goals and start to create a roadmap for success. Paint a picture in your mind of what you want, and take steps towards understanding how reach your destination. Enjoy the game! ⛳️

Thank you for reading 🙂