The amazing aspect of golf that is often overlooked is the plethora of methods to achieve a specific outcome. Whether you subscribe to pure process or pure feel (or somewhere in between) the number of ways to play a shot can be countless. Personally, gravitate towards process especially as I gain in experience and knowledge. Process, for me, removes many of the ‘what ifs’ when deciding how to play a shot. Following a process helps me narrow all the stressors of a shot by improving my focus on what I can achieve. Yet, I feel this is more to this way of playing golf!

For many years I have espoused that the foundation of my game is understanding how I hit a golf ball. The distance, aim points, pre-shout routines, etc. My methodology is very process orientated. This approach to golf helps eliminated many outside factors such as carrying the frustration of a previous shot. It allows my mental game to be strong and focused, which in turn, improves my physical part golf.

Here is a great video that explains my approach to playing golf in a clearer manner:

After watching this video a few times, I realize that I am 90% process driven with a 10% outcome component. The smaller portion of each shot happens at the very beginning where I determine the shot I want to make at any given distance.

Basically, I still need to consider what the course is offering when deciding on a shot. Is the green elevated; am I making a downhill approach shot; is the course wet or dry; which way is the wind blowing? All of these are factors that need to be considered to determine the distance I need to hit the ball and on what line. The second half of the statement is where my process driven shot making takes over. At that point, I focused only on shot making and how I am going to execute this shot.

As I develop my full golf game over the years, I have experimented on many approaches to playing golf. For my game an 90/10 approach works best. Nothing is absolute in golf, however leaning towards the process of shot making has greatly improve my scores, lowered my frustration, and simplified a seemingly difficult sport.

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!