I wonder what playing our best golf really means? We all have our best score and likely can recount each stroke. However, is that really our best golf? If we only look at the score, then yes it is! However, I have shot scores that were four or 5 over par that would rival my lowest score! Grinding out a decent score through consistent focused golf is also considered to be our best golf. How many rounds have we played where we smoothly shot a very decent score and yet was the best golf we could play on that day! Do you see where I am going?

On any given day, our best golf is a sliding scale. Of course our lowest score might be the benchmark, however those days are special and rare. I find that playing with a score in mind helps to focus my efforts towards that goal. It does not mean that on any given day I will exceed my expectations, but I cannot expect to continually shoot my lowest scores ever.

Take example my 2023 golf season. My best score of the year for 18 holes was even par. It is not my lowest score ever (69) however, it was a score that exceeded my expectation of four over. Where did those four strokes come from….who knows. Well, three strokes came from chipping in for birdie once and sinking two long putts for par. The rest was just solid play with very few surprises.

Playing our best golf changes from day to day. Who knows what will happen each time we tee it up. I know I have a minimum score in mind (4 over) where I hope to exceed my expectations. By focusing my efforts on this goal, I am able to use it as a benchmark for playing my best golf. It is a sliding scale, but for me have a goal helps improve my mindset. It might help you as well!

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