Choosing the right path when faced with adversity.
Thousands of golfers each week reach their wits end; they consider quitting the sport they love. Usually before they have given in completely they decide to try one last time. This last try, a push to end the misery usually takes two forms or paths. Choosing the right path will ultimately end in success and a new found love for the game. Choose the wrong path and you will end up quitting for good.
The wrong path:
This journey begins with a last ditch trip to the driving range. During the drive there you are recounting all of the small pieces of information offered to you by playing partners, ex-professionals or internet guru´s.
When you arrive you decide on the “piece” of information you are going to put into practice and begin beating balls down the range, taking basket after basket trying to “perfect” your swing.
You are determined to make things better, but the “piece” just doesn´t seem to fit into your game, the search begins again, but this time with an added slice of confusion. This is you heading down the wrong path, this path will lead to the eventually quitting of the sport you once so dearly loved.
The right path:
This journey begins with the realization that you need to get some professional help. But before selecting your professional you need to be prepared to enter with a clear mind and no preconceptions about your game or your swing. You must place yourself in the hands of the trusted professional and be prepared to hear some home truths.
Once you are ready to accept the advice of a professional, begin your search for the best match for you. Ask around and visit each to see how you click with the professional, although the relationship is completely professional in the beginning you should also feel at ease with them. It would also be worth contemplating getting a couple of professionals that have different skill sets, for example one for the long game and one for the short game.
What I do not recommend, and I tell all of my clients the same thing, is to look for a quick fix. Admittedly in the short term you may benefit from the quick fix approach, but ultimately you will return to the same bad habits that caused the pain and the misery in the first place.
You need to build new thought processes and ingrain them into your game. This takes time and you must be prepared to travel the correct path for as long as it takes. Remember that a new journey in golf starts with a single swing
Recent Comments