Is there such a thing as trying too hard when playing a sport? Most coaches demand 110% effort from their players (although I never understood that saying)! As a coach of many sports, I expected the players to give their best effort for that day! Sometimes, it exceeded their average effort, other times they needed some motivational encouragement.
Golf is a different kettle of fish. Most amateurs, including myself, don’t really have that second gear to ‘step up’ our game. Unlike soccer, football, hockey, or rugby, golf is a sport where maintaining a constant effort wins the day. Golf is about control and focus for two seconds followed by minutes of patience and waiting. Unfortunately for most players, it is the two seconds of maximum effort that causes the problem in their game!
Over the years I have matured and accepted that I can only control certain things on the golf course. It is very challenging for my ego to realize that at any given time, my plan for a great game can come of the rails. Conversely, my game can quickly turn around and exceed all my expectations, but I never seem to know when.
The Grateful Golfer 