Fall golf is just about here and that means I’ve just wrapped my fourth official summer dedicated to golf.
Have I improved? While this morning’s score may not reflect it – I knew I was due for a dip! – overall, I can see some real improvement. That’s because I’ve learned that being good at golf is two things among many: First, it’s super hard. Second, it’s super easy.
Let me explain.
There are things that click as you learn the sport that make it better; better for you and better for those playing with you. And while a score and a handicap in the end is the true judge of improvement, I think it’s way more nuanced than that. If you’re a solid, consistent golfer, read on to see if we newer-to-it-all folks are on track. And if you are like me and still closer to the early seasons of your (God willing) long golf career, see if you recognize some improvements or goals you may focus on.
Here’s where I’ve improved.
On-course confidence: I spent a lot of time my first two seasons worrying. Worrying about slowing the players behind me. Worrying about getting paired up with some folks who may not want to play with a newbie. Worrying I was driving the cart in the wrong place. Worry, worry, worry.
Now, I see that as a waste of my energy. Being female, I used to stress that were I paired up with men, they’d be cursing at my lack of prowess on all 18 holes. But it only took a few times of playing with some men who were, in the end, not even as adept as me on the course to realize that perception does not always meet reality.
I remember when I was a ski instructor learning that, in general, when you ask men to rate their level of ability, they overestimate. Women, in general, tend to underestimate (which is why most ski camps have ski-offs to see where you are actually at). I think golf falls pretty much the same way. So now, I don’t worry about that.
I also now know when it is right to let someone play through and when it is not. I still stress a tiny bit when someone is right up behind us, but overall, I understand that as long as I’m not in the woods searching for my favorite ball for five minutes, I’m doing fine.
That kind of basic confidence lifts your entire game, and makes you more pleasant to be around. I’ve improved there.
Knowing and seeing my mishits: The more I learn, the more I understand what I may be doing wrong. And while it’s going to be some time before I do it mostly right (I mean, the pros don’t even do that sometimes), I have reached a level of play knowledge where when I mishit or misplay a hole, I know pretty much why. That’s a super powerful feeling and I think it’s an awesome bridge to have crossed. Knowledge is power. Practice will boost that power. This is good news.
Knowing how to be prepared: I’m always early for my round. I take time at home, first, to check my bag for balls, a good glove, any weather gear I may need and tees and markers. (Sure, I did forget my golf shoes a couple of weeks ago but hey, sneakers worked that once).
If I’m playing a course that’s new to me, I take time prior to look at the scorecard online and when available, take any online course tours. I find player reviews at spots like Golf Pass so while it may be new to me, I at least have a basic understanding of what’s ahead.
I know more of the rules and study them if I have a round where I didn’t understand one. Rules matter.
I also stretch. What a difference that makes. As does hitting a few – but not too many – on the driving range pre-round. Preparation is key, and not just for the Boy Scouts.
I see victories and they don’t even know they are victories: Yes, I’m tweaking a famous movie line, and here’s the point: Victories don’t always show on the final score card.
Take today. I was playing in my weekly Ladies League and to be honest, I didn’t hit as well as I have been as of late. But I did a lot of things well. I drove far and in the middle more than I did not. My fairway long shots were relatively solid. I had a couple of hero putts. While my short game still needs *lots* of support and love, I had a few great up and downs.
Those may not have added up to the score I like to get, but they sure felt good. And in the end, golf for me is about fun and feeling good.
I’ve got a long way to go, but forward movement in the game as a whole, just like on each fairway, is always positive.
