In my last blog, I cited a few quotes from the great Bobby Jones. I want to expand on one of those.
Jones once said, “The real way to play golf is to take pleasure not in the score, but in the execution of the strokes.”
Let that sink in. Of course, we all want to improve our score. The question is, how best can we do that? Your golf score is an accumulation of individual strokes. Each one must be the object of your undivided attention. Do not divide your attention between executing the shot and how it will impact your score.
For example, assume you’re playing a great round. Maybe you’re on the verge of breaking 80 for the first time. Perhaps it’s breaking 100. Whatever “great” means to you. You’re on the 18th tee, a hole you’ve played well before. You only need a par to accomplish your goal. What is going through your mind? I guess that your inner dialog is something like, “I”m so close. All I need is one good hole. Don’t screw this up. I’ve been hitting it well all day. What if my slice comes back now? What if I top it? What will my playing partners think if I choke now? etc. etc.” Any of that sound familiar? Can you feel the tension building in your hands and arms as you dwell almost exclusively on your score? You have to steel yourself against this kind of thought. Tension in the golf swing is the number one killer of smooth, flowing action. Instead, concentrate on the process of executing the shot with no regard for the outcome! The desired result will follow. What is that process? First, have a solid repeatable pre-shot routine. Next, visualize the shot in your mind’s eye. Address the ball and swing to your target. Does this guarantee a perfect shot every time? No. It does guarantee the best chance for you to execute your best shot.
Look at the Bobby Jones quote again: “The real way to play golf is to take pleasure not in the score, but in the execution of the strokes.” Bobby Jones was a very competitive person. He’s not saying you shouldn’t care about the score. He’s pointing out the best way; the only way to reach your best score is in the execution of each shot. If you are pleased with your execution of each shot, it will show in your ultimate score.
I recently re-read Dr. Gio Valiante’s book Fearless Golf. It’s a great book that goes into much more detail on this subject than this short blog. I highly recommend it. Click on the bold text to purchase. I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. It does not impact the price you pay.
That’s all for now.
Until next time,
Doug