Desire and Golf

Golf is a unique sport that is steeped in history. Regardless of the situation, the ebbing and froing of how to improve our scores is a battle waged each day. It is a challenge sometimes to venture into the realm of a new golf game when our old one feels so comfortable, but stagnate. Unfortunately, to be a better golfer with the desire to constantly improve, living in the the uncomfortable zone is a must. The question is how to bridge that gap between our old comfortable game and the possibility of a new a better game. It is a question all golfers ask themselves from time to time.

I have reached the tipping point many times in my game. I have worked so diligently that when the time arrives to take that set forward in to a new a better game I have hesitated. Why you might ask? That is a great question. It means change, permanent change. That scares people at the best of time and with the protentional of regressing in our score, it frightens the heck out of all golfers. Personally, I have been there. However, I do have on thing that helps to progress me forward.

The decision to move forward is driven by two things. Hope and desire to be a better player. The hope aspect is one that all golfers have. I think everyone hopes they are making the proper decision and that never changes. Hope is a quintessential aspect of all our make up and will be present in all major decisions, especially golf decisions. Hope is what starts to improvement process to make the decision in the first place.

The second aspect of leaving our old game for a new one is desire. Desire is a strong feeling that impels us to the attainment something that is within reach: a desire for a new and better golf game. Desire is the driving force to lower our golf scores. If the desire is big enough, we can overcome all obstacles including the fear of bridging the gap to a better golf game. This driving force is key to any golfer improving and has sustained me over the years as I strived to improve. I will admit my desire is waning a bit over the years, but it is still alive and present. Therefore, I am hoping for improvements this year as I pursue a better golf game.

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

Today was an awesome day for touring the countryside. The weather was fantastic, the company equally great and it was time to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. During one of our stops, we watched a boat work its way methodically through the locks – one step at a time.

We were fortunate enough to arrive at the Lock 13 at the exact time when a boat was being worked through. What caught my attention was that before starting the next step of four, the previous step had to be completely finished. There were no cutting corners, no jumping to the end; just a methodical process to safely move a boat down 25 feet from one section of the Trent-Severn Waterway to another.

This gravity fed process is very ingenious and is very applicable to golf. The lock system started with an idea, planning, execution and now maintenance to keep operating effectively and efficiently. How to Follow a Success Golfing Plan has the exact same four steps.

Idea – The idea step is sometimes the hardest. As with the lock system, something simple, focused, and duplicate-able is important. If you need to change something or create a whole new skill, start with the basics. There are many great ideas out there and some research will be required. The most important part of this step is to decide what to change; the to actually make the change. Now you are ready for step two.

Planning – This is better known as the how-to step. This is when you come up the plan on specifically what you are going to change. I want to emphasize that keeping it simple is critical to success. Start with one or two areas and plan the drills, tips or approaches you are going to use. Once completed, on to step three.

Execution – This step is as important as the first two. It is time to put your plan into action. Choosing how, when, where, and what is critical. Should you play more than practice? Should you track your success? Regardless, taking action is the way to go. Execute your plan until you have achieved your goals and once satisfied it is time to move to step four.

Maintenance – this is often the most overlooked step to how to follow a successful golf plan. Maintenance generally looks like your execution step, but on a smaller scale. Your successes achieved during the execution step need to be fostered. It is important to keep building on the aspects you have fixed and not to revert to old habits at the first sign of trouble.

The actual time it takes to break old habits and create new ones is unknown. “But there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of success in the endeavour, including:

Take small steps. Don’t try to do everything at once.

Only try to change one habit at a time.

Write down the habit you want to change, and write down specific plans for achieving that goal.

Repeat the behaviour you’re aiming for as often as you can. The more a behaviour is repeated, the more likely it is that it will become “instinctive.””(How Stuff Works)

Sound familiar? How to Follow a Successful Golfing Plan is really nothing new, but the process can be difficult. If have the desire to make the change, then following the above process may just be what you are looking for!

If the desire is big enough, anything is possible!

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