I’m 47. Started golfing seriously at 40. Early on I tried to teach myself how to swing. Bought a lot of DVDs. My basement storage room looks like a place where training aids go to die. A few years ago I started taking lessons. A journey that had teachers that just weren’t as committed to helping me improve as I would have liked. Recently I spent a couple of off seasons at Golftec. I enjoyed it but when my instructor left I decided not to go back. In those 2 years I have acquired a great understanding of what I need to do to improve my swing. I even put in a GC2 sim late last summer to help improve.
I realize now that I’ll never have what I consider the perfect swing. I still sway a bit in the backswing, my left arm folds a bit, my hips aren’t open enough at impact, my hands are not forward enough at impact, my miss is to leave the face open and sometimes my weight shift is non existent. If I don’t focus I’ll have slight OTT move. I get it. I’ll continue to work at it hard to try and improve that stuff. It’s part of me. I’m not sure if it’s my personality or what but I seem to be driven to nail this stuff down. I like order and procedures. Probably why I became an airline pilot. Fits me perfectly.
Here’s where this years focus has changed. Or I need it to change. I’ve always played golf swing on the course. I think my drive for the perfect swing has carried over to my game. Last year I said I wasn’t going to play golf swing but I ended up with the same patterns. Hit a shot, evaluate what went wrong or right and think about the swing to correct it.
Well I think it took away from the enjoyment of the game for me. There were many moments of frustration and inner anger. My playing partners could always tell. Probably took away from there enjoyment also. I really don’t want to play that anymore.
I have lots of time to read and I’m currently reading (and rereading) all the Rotella books. I’m on my 4th. He emphasizes solid pre shot routines and acceptance. Golf is a game and it is a game that must be played. It is about not being perfect. Have no expectations. Have fun.
I’ve read many of his books in the past and never really applied what he’s written. This year I’m committed to this. I spend a lot of money on this game. I have a great job and a great family. This is supposed to be fun.
I took this mentality into my first round yesterday. Focused on a solid pre shot routine and zero expectations. Take the good with the bad. I did my new pre shot routine on every shot. I accepted the bad shots. Oh well. I really enjoyed the good ones. I kept myself to one swing thought throughout. Was my swing good? Not really but I still shot a good score. Did I care about my swing. Nope. The difference was that I had an amazing and fun time. Even my wife and regular playing partner couldn’t believe how easy going and fun I was. My wife doesn’t believe that it will last but I really want it to. My buddy texted me last night to say that was the funnest round of golf he’s had.
I started this thread to keep me on track. To keep myself from getting too serious about the game. I only get in around 25-30 rounds a year. Enjoy it. Accept it. Feel free to follow along this season or add your comments if you’re like me.
Here’s a to a great and fun season of golf.
What did you score?? That's the only thing you left out. This is a good philosophy to have. One I struggle with as well.