How often have you figured out the key to consistency, only for the new technique to be gone forever in the next game? The game has no favorites; the emotional roller coaster affects players at all skill levels. One of the most difficult aspects of golf is the unpredictability of the game. Your ability to deal with this element is the first key to consistency.
Did you watch the 2017 British Open?
After Jordan Spieth hit his tee shot on the 13th hole, a hundred yards off the line, golf analysts began dissecting his swing to find the critical flaw. Whether you play for beer or Claret Jug, bad shots are inevitable; the greater the stake, the greater the error.
The first lesson we can learn from Jordan Spieth is patience. Stop punishing yourself after a bad shot. Set reasonable expectations. Allow yourself ten bad hits per round.
The second lesson is planning. If you’re willing to spend four and a half hours trying to get a ball into a hole, surely you can take twenty minutes to visualize the potential challenges. Can you recover when your ball lands in thick rough? How would you minimize the consequences when your ball ends up behind a tree? Perhaps a twenty-foot uphill putt is smarter than shooting the pin and finishing with a four-foot downhill putt.
The third lesson is to put. After making a remarkable bogey on the 13th hole, Jordan Spieth proceeded to shoot four under par on the next four holes. Lucky? Maybe, but it looks like the big putters are going to sink every putt. Get used to telling yourself that you are a great player. You will be surprised how often the ball disappears to the bottom of the glass.
Based on the plethora of technical tips, it would be logical to assume that mastering proper technique is a top priority for amateur golfers. Obviously you need a clear understanding of basic swing mechanics; the strongest mind cannot compensate for a dysfunctional grip.
A consistent swing is the byproduct of a consistent set of beliefs.
In my experience with over eleven thousand students, most golfers who play once a week have the exact opposite belief.
Patience, planning and putting are the three qualities that allow Jordan Spieth to play at a level far beyond his technical ability. He embraces the three “P’s” in his game and discovers his natural ability that goes beyond swing mechanics.
Thank you for reading!