So far, I’ve either golfed by myself or with one other person and I’ve only played 3 different courses. As well, I’m 2 lessons into a 6-week golf class and I’m intent on improving my game.
And those are the points I’d like, to discuss: 1. Enjoying the game by letting the stress go, 2. Mixing it up by playing with different people at different courses, and 3. Constantly improving your game by learning. New, different and better techniques.
I heard something interesting at a golf class recently: Two “students” told the instructor they’d been playing between 10-25 years and hadn’t improved....they were still crappy golfers! As a matter of fact, the gentleman who’d been playing for 25 years had never taken a lesson in his life. He stated he was tired of being the worse player in his group and wanted to do something about it. The instructor, as understanding as he could be, stated that it would be easier for a new player to learn good habits than for a longtime player to break bad habits. Ouch.
And I guess that’s what I’m trying to do...learn good habits from the get-go.
I found several nearby golf lesson options on Groupon and selected one that appeared to fit my needs. It’s a 6-week course that meets for an hour every Saturday morning. So far, we’ve learned grip, stance and swing. The main thing, says the instructor—a guy who’s been playing 60 years—is muscle memory: A player must learn the proper techniques and then force the body to learn them via repetition. Although the weekly class lasts only an hour, students are tasked with lots of homework; we must practice what we’ve learned at home...an investment of less than 5 minutes a day. And so far, I think I’m getting it.
And I guess that’s what I’m trying to say here. Any caveman can go out and swing a club at a ball. And chances are, he’ll hit it every once in a while. But I want consistency. I want to hit the ball long, high and straight. Every time. If you’re reading this, you understand what a great feeling it is to hit that one, truly great shot! How do you think that’ll feel when you hit like all the time? It’ll be much more enjoyable, right? Right!
For now, I remain a member of the CGA—the Crappy Golfer’s Association. But I know that as a novice, I’m enjoying the experience as I gradually improve my game.
I hope you’re enjoying the game and improving, too.
I hope to see you out on the links!
