Remember, Golf is a Game 🙂

If you're anything like me, golf can be very stressful. The stress often comes from the pursuit of a "better golf game." We love golf for many reasons, so how can the love of the game become so frustrating?

Part of the answer lies within the question. Love is inherently challenging. Anyone in a loving relationship can attest to that fact. When you love something, you take it very seriously, so if problems arrise, you want to resolve them as quickly as possible.

We all walk a fine line of seeking improvement, while also trying to enjoy the game. The price of admission to any achievement is struggle. Struggle is necessary to appreciate anything in life.

One of the ways you can blend your practice of struggling for improvement, is by playing games. Golf is a game after all. Training your swing while playing a game is going to be the truest form of what you can expect when you play on the golf course.

For example, practicing at the driving range with someone else is a great way to put yourself in "Game Mode." Play a Closest to the Pin Game, or a Long Drive Contest. You could create an imaginary fairway to practice accuracy.

Swing mechanics are important to understand for good ball striking, but when you're playing golf, you don't have time to think about those mechanics. At best, you can feel them in practice swings. The best mindset to be in while playing is in a "Playing Mindset."

Try to remember how you would play when you were a child. There was an inherent curiousity and strategy while playing something like Tag. When you catch yourself overthinking, that's when you make mistakes or have near misses.

You know if you could run faster you would be better at the game, so you might pursue more strength and speed to play the game your best. Some of us get more consumed with improvement than others.

Regardless of your commitment level to improvement, a couple things will remain true. One, the only way to play the game better is to play more often and learn as much as you can. Two, is being in a competitive mindset or a Game Mode mindset, which has your full focus on the task at hand.

There are baseline metrics that you will want to set as goals if improving your game is important to you.

1. Establish a Handicap by playing at least 8-10 rounds at the same golf course.

2. Play at least 50 rounds per year, or about twice per week.

3. Try to make contact with 50,000 golf balls per year, which is roughly 137 balls per day. That includes Playing on the course, putting a home, the driving range, and chipping and putting. Shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes per day depending on where most of the reps are taking place.

4. Compete with friends and family, in amateur tournaments, or a golf league. You need something to push you in a natural way to get better, and competition is an easy way to bring out your truest form.

5. Read 5 golf books per year.

6. Take some golf lessons to learn more about your swing and the game itself.

7. Watch golf on TV, or better yet, go to a professional event.

8. Join your local golf club with a playing and practice membership.

These are baseline suggestions to improve your game and have fun at the same time. Remember, golf is a game so you need to treat it that way. It has nothing to do with who you are as a person, so don't stress yourself out by blending your identity with your skill level or achievements.

Thank you for reading!