Sports & Recreation
Golf Guide-10
Expectations. What are they? Webster’s Dictionary says that expectations implies a desire for something, accompanied by some confidence that it can be realized.
Establishing expectations is certainly a part of many golfers’ games. But does this benefit you or place added pressure on you to reach a particular level of achievement? This is a question that must be answered individually.
In answering the question, you may first need to consider the following:
If it is decided that expectations are going to be established, then they will largely be determined on the basis of one’s experience with the game. This experience will tend to place golfers into one of three categories.
The first is made up of golfers who have been playing for a medium-to-long period of time. The second is comprised of golfers who used to play, but have been away from the game for a time and are now returning. The third includes those golfers who have never played and are taking up the game for the first time.
To understand the kind of expectations we might expect individuals within a particular group to establish, we first need to be familiar with the general skill levels they tend to demonstrate.
Golfers in the first group probably have a pretty good feel for the fundamentals and why they are important. These golfers have established a satisfactory work ethic that includes knowledge of proper club selection for all the various shots, and may even have progressed to the point of knowing how to work their ball flight, specifically draws and fades. They know their basic strengths and weaknesses, and work to improve the latter while maintaining the former.
Those in the second group of golfers likely have a variety of reasons for giving up the game earlier. At the time they were playing, they were probably feeling a sense of progress, and with that progress came the building of self confidence.
With their return comes the element of uncertainty as to where to start the process of rebuilding what once was. At this point, patience is going to be a virtue. Seeking the help of a qualified golf instructor may be a wise move in the relearning process.
Relearning your golf game can be compared to relearning to ride a bicycle following a layoff. Once you’ve learned, you don’t fully forget. You just have to be reminded of what to do. The absence does not cause a golfer to completely forget what was previously learned, but it created a temporary loss in the muscle memory that had been built and now needs to be relearned.
Those in the third group of golfers have a slight advantage as they start because they have yet to develop any bad habits, as might be the case with the other two groups. The decision to learn has been made and they are ready to proceed. At this point, incorporating the assistance of a qualified golf instructor is an absolute must. The first step is to build a solid foundation by learning the fundamentals.
During this process, golfers should resemble a sponge, absorbing everything that can help them, then practicing constantly and being aware of what is being practiced and why. The length of time spent in learning these fundamentals should not be of concern. Take it slow and proceed one step at a time.
Knowing what the three levels of experience are, what kinds of expectations are likely to emerge from each? Group 1 is certainly going to have the highest expectations due to broader experience. These will vary from individual to individual, but will be very specific in nature and challenge their abilities in accomplishing these goals.
For Group 2, the expectations will be fewer in number and less lofty in nature as they focus more on trying to regain their previous level of achievement. Group 3 will probably have no expectations at all. They will simply be trying to establish a learning curve as they progress and let the chips fall where they may in the process.
Finally, accomplishments in golf occur because motivation drives golfers to set — and reach — varying levels of expectation in their game. This fact is unquestionably true, so golf always will remain the endless pursuit of perfection.
Golf Guide-10
Expectations. What are they? Webster’s Dictionary says that expectations implies a desire for something, accompanied by some confidence that it can be realized.
Establishing expectations is certainly a part of many golfers’ games. But does this benefit you or place added pressure on you to reach a particular level of achievement? This is a question that must be answered individually.
In answering the question, you may first need to consider the following:
• How will you gauge your level of expectation?
• Is it too lofty or not lofty enough?
• What do these expectations include?
• Do they challenge you in reaching them?
• Are they reasonable to attain?
• Is it too lofty or not lofty enough?
• What do these expectations include?
• Do they challenge you in reaching them?
• Are they reasonable to attain?
If it is decided that expectations are going to be established, then they will largely be determined on the basis of one’s experience with the game. This experience will tend to place golfers into one of three categories.
The first is made up of golfers who have been playing for a medium-to-long period of time. The second is comprised of golfers who used to play, but have been away from the game for a time and are now returning. The third includes those golfers who have never played and are taking up the game for the first time.
To understand the kind of expectations we might expect individuals within a particular group to establish, we first need to be familiar with the general skill levels they tend to demonstrate.
Golfers in the first group probably have a pretty good feel for the fundamentals and why they are important. These golfers have established a satisfactory work ethic that includes knowledge of proper club selection for all the various shots, and may even have progressed to the point of knowing how to work their ball flight, specifically draws and fades. They know their basic strengths and weaknesses, and work to improve the latter while maintaining the former.
Those in the second group of golfers likely have a variety of reasons for giving up the game earlier. At the time they were playing, they were probably feeling a sense of progress, and with that progress came the building of self confidence.
With their return comes the element of uncertainty as to where to start the process of rebuilding what once was. At this point, patience is going to be a virtue. Seeking the help of a qualified golf instructor may be a wise move in the relearning process.
Relearning your golf game can be compared to relearning to ride a bicycle following a layoff. Once you’ve learned, you don’t fully forget. You just have to be reminded of what to do. The absence does not cause a golfer to completely forget what was previously learned, but it created a temporary loss in the muscle memory that had been built and now needs to be relearned.
Those in the third group of golfers have a slight advantage as they start because they have yet to develop any bad habits, as might be the case with the other two groups. The decision to learn has been made and they are ready to proceed. At this point, incorporating the assistance of a qualified golf instructor is an absolute must. The first step is to build a solid foundation by learning the fundamentals.
During this process, golfers should resemble a sponge, absorbing everything that can help them, then practicing constantly and being aware of what is being practiced and why. The length of time spent in learning these fundamentals should not be of concern. Take it slow and proceed one step at a time.
Knowing what the three levels of experience are, what kinds of expectations are likely to emerge from each? Group 1 is certainly going to have the highest expectations due to broader experience. These will vary from individual to individual, but will be very specific in nature and challenge their abilities in accomplishing these goals.
For Group 2, the expectations will be fewer in number and less lofty in nature as they focus more on trying to regain their previous level of achievement. Group 3 will probably have no expectations at all. They will simply be trying to establish a learning curve as they progress and let the chips fall where they may in the process.
Finally, accomplishments in golf occur because motivation drives golfers to set — and reach — varying levels of expectation in their game. This fact is unquestionably true, so golf always will remain the endless pursuit of perfection.
If you want to improve your game, Bob Gates may be contacted at (708) 425-8637.
About the Author:
Bob Gates is a golf instructor at
Stony Creek Golf Course and Driving Range
in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Bob Gates is a golf instructor at
Stony Creek Golf Course and Driving Range
in Oak Lawn, Illinois.