Each year we begin our season after a long break of players practicing and playing on their own. As a former junior golfer, I remember playing with my dad and his buddies in their summer weekly games. It's some of my fondest memories of the time I spent with my dad. The problem was, in their game players were not forced to play the ball down. What I did not understand is that when I was practicing my craft, I was only practicing hitting shots off perfect lies or improving a difficult shot by moving away from a tree, rock, or other obstacle. Now as a coach what I see is that when players play this way two things happen:
As you play, whether it be with friends, family or teammates play with a growth mindset. Play the hard shots now, because you may have that very shot in the future in competition.
"Golf and tournament golf are about as different as tennis and ice hockey." ~ Ben Hogan
- Players are forced to learn how to hit difficult shots during competition.
- Players build a false sense of their scoring average because they are not being penalized by the natural effects of the golf course.
As you play, whether it be with friends, family or teammates play with a growth mindset. Play the hard shots now, because you may have that very shot in the future in competition.
"Golf and tournament golf are about as different as tennis and ice hockey." ~ Ben Hogan