Don't try and be the perfect golfer

It’s normal to try and be a perfect golfer. Make that putt, hit the green and strike the ball with accurate power.

But sometimes the perfect mindset leads us to get defensive. We clam up – and end up playing with fear and self-doubt.

Playing perfectly seems like the right thing to do but almost always isn’t. Here’s a better mindset.

Play with what you’ve got today. Realise that you’re a work in progress and a poor shot or two today doesn’t mean you’re stuck with them forever.

This is the same attitude adopted in the business world. Microsoft and Google don’t wait until they have the perfect product. They release the best product they have right now.

They know over time it will improve. They’ll learn from their mistakes and keep getting better and better.

Humans have an incredible learning system. We just have to let it do it’s thing. And the best thing is to get out of your own way.

Let go, swing freely and don’t let the odd bad shot or two stop you.

There’s no such thing as a perfect golfer anyway.

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7 Comments

  • DP

    Reply Reply January 5, 2010

    Cam,
    Play with what you’ve got today is exactly what Rod Laver used to do.
    He was the best I have seen and knew how to win.
    He once said:- ”some days I have a shot which doesn’t work, be it the backhand across court or down the line. When this happens I just do NOT use it during the match; I do NOT keep trying it to make it work!”
    I, and other golfers need to do this and not try and repair a problem during a round. Accept that the driver is not feeling good and put ball in play with a 3 wood or whatever.
    What club to turn to if the putter is not working you say. I say – either go automatic as you’ve been told by Cameron Strachan, or drown your sorrows at the 19th.
    Cheers and great golfing again this year.
    DP

  • Grayden Provis

    Reply Reply January 5, 2010

    Cameron said: “Realise that you’re a work in progress”….

    Thats a great comment. You don’t suddenly “get” golf. Your game gradually matures over time. If you’re fully relaxed and unafraid when you swing its impossible to hit a “bad” shot . You can hit an errant one, yes, but thats not a “bad” shot. Its a learning opportunity for your subconscious so it is in fact a “good” shot! Where we go wrong is we stifle this subconscious learning process by being afraid when we swing. The learning can’t take place then. If you want to improve at golf you have to swing without fear and yes, you will hit plenty of wayward shots and yes, your mates will laugh. But you will have the last laugh because over time you will overtake them. They will be stuck at the same level they’re at now because they swing in a guarded fashion and don’t allow real learning to take place. Thankyou Cameron for switching the lights on regarding this.

  • Tony Lucas (Lukey)

    Reply Reply January 5, 2010

    Hi Cam
    This post was so much me (note was) and yes you were right in the end you were battling to hit the ball.My favourite comment was about half a dozen times a round I would hit the perfect shot followed by what did I do right then.It is only now I realise those particular shots were auto.I like Grayden still am a work in progress but so much more now is starting to make sense.
    Cheers Lukey

  • Steady

    Reply Reply January 6, 2010

    Hi Cam,
    the game, coaches and tv commentators make the game of golf so seductive into thinking you can play perfect golf that for many it is a nonm reality. Play with what you know/what you can do and can’t do. It makes teh game easier and less stressfull.
    Cheers Steady

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