There’s been a lot of change recently, hasn’t there? It’s been harder to meet up with friends and family we normally see all the time; and the school year looked a little different from last year.
However, one aspect that hasn’t changed too much, thankfully, is playing golf! Yes, there are some new safety protocols and procedures to follow on the range and course, but for the most part, golf is still what we always knew it to be: a fun, sometimes challenging, but always enjoyable walk through nature. We love the game for what it is, and that’s what keeps us coming back!
In this article, we’re going to focus on how never to lose sight of what golf means to each of us – and improve our games at the same time. Grab a pen and piece of paper, and write down the following:
I’m sure you recognize the word, right? It’s “drive” – one of the three key basics of golf, alongside chipping and putting! Now, we’re going to put a word to each of those letters that will help your practice and play.
When we arrive at the course, we should be focused on accomplishing a goal or an achievement. Maybe that’s to hit 10 drives in the fairway during our round, or something easy, like crafting our tee shot routine. Whatever you do, be determined to succeed – it’s a little step, but can really help!
This is great for our mental game. When we reflect on good shots, we gain confidence. When we reflect on bad shots, we remember the mistakes we made and try to correct them so they happen less often. Don’t overlook good shots and bad shots; reflect on them.
There are a lot of new beginners out practicing and playing now, which is great. Or maybe we have friends and family members who want to try out golf. With your parent’s permission, extend a welcoming hand to those folks and invite them to play or practice. You may find they end up loving golf just as much as you!
Every time you prepare for a shot on the course, imagine what it’ll look like when you hit it. Think of how two-time Masters Champion Bubba Watson plays. He hits some pretty curvy shots, but they work out well because he sees how the shot will play out. Give it a try!
So many rounds or practice sessions go to waste because we get angry for not performing the way we envision. If that’s happening to you, step back, take five deep breaths and smile. Enjoy the game for what it gives you, not for what you can’t accomplish. A positive mindset goes a long way in making golf so much fun.
