There is no one-size-fits-all formula to being good at golf. You certainly need to have a technically sound golf swing to reach a low single digit or scratch handicap. That much is hard to argue. However, the intangibles such as your mentality and mindset on the golf course, is what separates the good from the great golfers.
If you’ve been following the PGA tour lately, there has been a lot of talk and commotion about the makeover of Bryson Dechambeau. People and the golf media were stunned when he emerged from the initial Coronavirus lockdown with 30 extra pounds and about 50 extra yards off the tee. With his unique golf swing, amazing power, and scientific approach to the game, he makes a fascinating case study on the “golf swing”. Now, despite the excessive coverage and hype around Dechambeau’s swing, he has yet to win a golf tournament this year. He has been knocking on the door, to be sure, but it remains to be seen if he will ultimately win this year.
The point I’m getting at is that a good golf swing doesn’t automatically translate into success on the course. You need to have a positive, grind it out at all costs mindset. You know the feeling when you have bogeyed three straight holes and you just can’t stop the bleeding. Golfers with a sound mental game know how to make changes on the fly and continue to believe that they will hit a good shot or have a good hole eventually. The attitude you want to cultivate goes something like this: I know how to play this game. I may have had a bad stretch of holes but the next shot will be good, this is where I get it back on track – i’m due for a birdie. The key is to never stop believing that you will hit your next shot well, even if you have been hitting it poorly all day. Good golfers always believe even when they don’t have their A game.
5 Foote Gimme 