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According
to the USGA, handicaps of recreational golfers have remained
unchanged in the last 25 years. Maybe that doesn't surprise
you, but consider the changes in the golf industry in recent
decades. Equipment is so high-tech now; golf clubs practically
swing themselves! Witness the Big Bertha, Tight Lies, and
Purespin Diamond Face Wedges. Quality golf instruction is
booming, with computer analysis and a golf school around every
corner. Plus we have the Golf Channel, a superabundance of
gadgets and gizmos, and an endless stream of books and videos
by Touring and Teaching Pros. Oh, and don't forget that flying
technological wonder the golf ball. Remember the Club Special?
Now we have the Strata! The game has gone from the Stone Age
to the Space Age, yet handicaps are not dropping.
What
an amazing testimonial to the mystery and allure of golf.
In spite of evidence to the contrary, we continue to immerse
ourselves in the hope of beating this marvelous and crazy
game. So it stands to reason there must be something more
to getting the ball around the golf course than fancy equipment
and perfect swings. Being a playing and teaching professional,
I can say without a doubt there ARE a variety of common sense
things we can do to boost our efforts to play a more satisfying
game. Since I want everyone to have a great time while they
are on the golf course, I've made it a personal quest to show
people how to raise their level of Play and have Fun in spite
of their lack of time, or physical (and fiscal) limitations.
Here's
the crucial part. Whatever your goals are; to be more consistent,
break 80, or just have fun, you still have to do something
in order to reach those goals. You can't just snap your fingers
and be there. That could mean change of some kind, a notion
that automatically gives us sweaty palms and cold feet! So
I have devised a formula to help combat the natural hesitancy
we experience when faced with change. It goes like this: Vision
+ passion + action = getting what you want.
Let me
explain. In order to get what you want you must first have
a clear vision for what it is that you want. Second,
you must fuel that desire with excitement, passion,
energy, and enthusiasm. Third, you must take action
and preoccupy yourself by physically and mentally remaining
focused on what it is that you want. The vision, passion,
and action are the lifeblood - and life force - and life preserver
that carry you along to getting what you want.
If that
sounds a little too esoteric for your tastes, it's really
very simple. Whether its golf or something else, you have
to really want it in order to get it. Be clear about what
you want, be passionate about your desire to have it, and
above all, put one foot in front of the other and take action.
You will get there before you know it. Next issue we will
learn how to apply this to our golf games. In the meantime,
have a great spring and don't forget to Play and have Fun!
©
Melissa Whitmire and Triad Golf Today - March/April 1999
Other
Articles by Melissa Whitmire
The
Best Golf Season of Your Life
Self-Fulfilling
Prophecies
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