Taking the first step. It’s always the hardest.
And it doesn’t matter if you’re trying to play golf more freely, start a business or achieve some other goal. The first step is always the hardest.
Golfers are scared. We’re afraid of making mistakes, looking stupid and embarrassing ourselves. This is sad because it’s exactly what is holding you back.
“Progress always involves risk: You can’t steal second base while keeping your foot on first”, is a quote I read today. It sums up the learning process nicely.
I talk daily with golfers that have the desire to improve their play. But they’re too scared to start. They’re somewhat comfortable in their current game (despite it not working). And because starting something new is hard they don’t do it. They’re stuck – too scared to get out of their own way. Worried they might have a poor score or hit a bad shot or two.
It really is sad.
Most golf instruction, technology and swing gurus won’t help you. It has to come from you.
Decide right now how’d you like to play and then commit to doing it. It’s time to bite the bullet and take the first step. Better golf awaits.
8 Comments
Steady
September 12, 2009Hi Cam,
FEAR can be your best friend or worst enemy. I trained for years in martial arts, what I learnt was that fear needs to be treated like any other thought or feeling, recognise it and deal with it. Do not be paralysed by it. Mnay PGA pros thrive on pressure and the last 3 holes of a tournamnet. Why because this seperates the men from the boys.
Some people in life are so scared to do anything in case they do look foolish or fail. In all honesty do you think Donald Trump did’t have any balls about be successful as he is. Michael Jordon is another. He said
“The reason why I’m so successful when games are on the line is because I failed so many times”
Golf to an extent is a feaful game. Out of bounds, water, bunkers , long holes tricky pin placements, your swing, putting errors all contribute to mistales that makes us look bad. However you can overcomethis by playing your way. Realising you aren’t a prisoner to the golf merry go round. Build a good swing you will have a great golf game.
If you looked at the last article Cameron posted , our education system, coaching, playing styles actually stifle, impede and downright negate any chance for improvement or creativty/individualism.
There is a right way and a wrong way to play golf. It just seems that our natural wayof learning and playing has been replaced with a system that negates it all. Build a good golf swing and you will have a good game. BullS..t.
Old Chinese proverb. A thousand mile walk begins with one step.
Do we as golfers have the guts to make that step. Are you comfrortable in a system that has dissappointed many a golfer. It’s time to break free and enjoy golf the way it should be played. Your way that is.
Cheers
Steady
Tony Lucas (Lukey)
September 13, 2009Cam
Steady has finally started to get it through to me and I am now willing to just let it go and not worry about score,how I look,fear,doubt any of the things that have held me back for so long.I am keen to go out there and make some mistakes and bugger up a few things but also to remain positive and realise that some of it will be really good as well.Thanks guys and I will get there of that I am sure.
Cheers Lukey
Gregor
September 13, 2009Leaving behind something that you have known for many years does involve fear. People so often resist change because of the unknown. It doesn’t just need to be golf.
I think the hardest thing with natural learning is to give up the way you have practised and played golf for all these years. And to give up the way everyone else practices and plays.
In my game yesterday, one of my playing partners was moaning about his game and spent the round telling me he wished he could figure out what was wrong. He said he had been at the driving range the night before trying to sort his swing. I told him not to analyse but he was astounded. How would he find out what was wrong! He ‘cracked it’ on the 18th after a tip from one of the other guys- he was swinging too fast apparently. He wasted a morning feeling bad and not enjoying his game because he hit a few bad shots.
It was really interesting to watch because my golf was like that a few months ago and I’m glad I have decided to change. Long way to go though!
Cameron
September 13, 2009@ Mike and Steady – thanks for posting.
@ Lukey – keep up the good work. Yes, you have to learn to swing and play without concern. It’s not easy but worth the effort.
@ Gregor – I spent years playing like this. Always thinking and always looking at something to fix. I never really played golf. My golf game today is so much better because I have stopped all the BS thinking. I play first and worry about everything else later.
Thanks for the insightful post. Your golfing partner represents the vast majority of the golf population. I’m positive that “automatic” is the better way.
Good golfing,
Cameron
Cameron
September 13, 2009@ Steady – I would say that those that are successful under pressure are because they do the same thing as they normally do. They don’t change their MO because of the pressure or some other outside influence. They keep trucking.
Cheers,
Cam
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