Golf is often referred to as the game of life, and it’s easy to understand why because there is no other sport that I can think of where every level of ability has the ticket to ride the same emotional rollercoaster.
Having played since the age of 11 I have cried many tears on the golf course because how I played mattered to me that much. Now, having taught others for the past 20 years I understand that I was never alone in feeling that level of frustration and despair.
I have taught every level of golfer, but I have a particular soft spot for coaching beginners and golfers who have lost confidence or even worse, thinking about giving up the game. Perhaps it is my hero complex, but I’d like to think it is more because I can see people’s games and issues with a level of objectivity and through the lens of experience.
So, if you are reading this as someone who finds themselves on the brink of having had enough, here are my pearls of wisdom for you to consider that hopefully inspire you to keep going.
Take Stock Of Your Biggest Issue
Having a clear understanding about what is causing you the biggest problem with your golf is the first step, because if you can’t identify it, you cannot begin to work on solving the issue. Is your problem your ability or a psychological reason? Or perhaps it is your playing environment that makes you feel anxious and unhappy.
When things are going badly it makes you feel like you are lost in the fog, but I’ve witnessed over the years as a coach how much relief can come just from being able to clearly pinpoint what is causing your issues. Once you have identified the problem, you can then decide on the correct course of action to get you out of your funk.
(Image credit: Future)
Remember Why You Started Playing Golf
This can be a powerful exercise to get back to the place of joy and optimism that you likely started with. It helps reconnect you to enjoying the process again rather than attaching your enjoyment to outcomes and results.
Hopefully you started playing for yourself and not to please others, or if you did, that might be part of the reason you are unhappy which links to the above point. Or perhaps you now find yourself playing a level of golf you don’t enjoy, such as club medals and matches, because again you are…
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