Golf Control...59
The One Thing We Fully Control
The golf swing is a human performance. As such, it is subject to our body’s less-than-perfect response to our mental swing thoughts when our roaming mind gets distracted by the blowing wind, the foreboding lake, and a hundred other things. Realistically, we should consider that we can “influence” our performance but never consistently control our performance.
The legendary Bobby Jones put it this way, “The more golf one plays, the better he comes to realize that he cannot keep it under his thumb.” And further beyond our control are the many environmental factors the bounce and roll upon the ball returning to Earth.
However, one important part of our game that we do have control over is our attitude. In preparation for every golf shot, there is a prevailing attitude of confidence or doubt, of enthusiasm or dread, of clarity or uncertainty. And after each shot, there is a prevailing attitude of elation, relief, or disappointment. Critical to improvement is avoiding an attitude of judgment (positive or negative) and into an attitude of learning—what happened and why.
Bottom Line: The journey to improve our swing can be intriguing and is central to ever more satisfying rounds. Nevertheless, accept that total control of a shot is not possible. Total control of our attitude is possible…and conducive to playing well.
Each Thursday we’ll bring you a helpful insight.
Swing to the Target,
Ed
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