Sports & Recreation
Golf Guide-12
Results — these are the end products of what golfers are constantly striving to achieve. Golfers by nature are “results” oriented. Simply put, this means they evaluate their progress by the results they see. If they are getting good results, then they must be doing good things.
Everything that golfers attempt to accomplish is motivated by results. Even those golfers who play the game solely for the recreational value it offers enjoy being the recipient of favorable results. This is only human nature.
By definition, results refer to anything that comes about as a consequence or outcome of some action. Case in point — floods result from heavy rain.
There is no doubting the emphasis that is placed on results by golfers. Often, the concentration placed on results overshadows that which needs to be done to allow the results to occur. So what happens when the results we see are not what we want? Where do we turn?
There often is a tendency to focus even more on results when this happens. Concentrating too much on one particular area can cause a loss of concentration in another area. This scenario describes what happens when a golfer gets too focused on results and loses focus on what needs to be done to get those results.
Unless you are aware of what it is you are trying to do, how can you expect good results to occur? When things are going well, chances are you are experiencing the feel that you ordinarily associate with good results. But when things go awry, you lose that feel and, with it, the good results you are getting.
When this situation arises, I am going to suggest that you forget about results and turn your attention to the fundamentals, namely the set-up and swing mechanics. I know this probably goes against all your basic instincts, but since the results are not there anyway, a change of direction is what’s called for. Until you accept this premise, any significant improvement is going to be difficult to accomplish.
Having accepted this concept, working on your basics should be the focus of attention. During this process, your immediate goal is to concentrate on what you are doing, not the specific results that occur. Observe the results, but only to get an idea of what is going on, not to specifically focus on a particular result. Then through time and a concerted effort, you should begin seeing a noticeable change in your results.
Now you are ready to apply what you have worked on where it matters — specifically the golf course. Let’s imagine you have a situation that involves having to avoid a water hazard, out-of-bounds area, or bunker. Previously, you might have let the possible result pose a problem, but now the mind-set you have developed is such that your focus is instead on what you are going to do, which makes it much easier to pull the trigger and just let the results take care of themselves. More times than not, this ends up with good things happening.
This approach of focusing less on results may at first seem like a difficult way of attacking a very common problem. However, by putting this concept to use, I have seen many frustrated golfers overcome the results-oriented scenario.
Learning your swing and how it works can certainly help build a high degree of self-confidence and positive feelings. Then, as I remind many golfers, you can just let it happen rather than trying to make it happen. When you can do this, watch how your results dramatically improve.
Golf Guide-12
Results — these are the end products of what golfers are constantly striving to achieve. Golfers by nature are “results” oriented. Simply put, this means they evaluate their progress by the results they see. If they are getting good results, then they must be doing good things.
Everything that golfers attempt to accomplish is motivated by results. Even those golfers who play the game solely for the recreational value it offers enjoy being the recipient of favorable results. This is only human nature.
By definition, results refer to anything that comes about as a consequence or outcome of some action. Case in point — floods result from heavy rain.
There is no doubting the emphasis that is placed on results by golfers. Often, the concentration placed on results overshadows that which needs to be done to allow the results to occur. So what happens when the results we see are not what we want? Where do we turn?
There often is a tendency to focus even more on results when this happens. Concentrating too much on one particular area can cause a loss of concentration in another area. This scenario describes what happens when a golfer gets too focused on results and loses focus on what needs to be done to get those results.
Unless you are aware of what it is you are trying to do, how can you expect good results to occur? When things are going well, chances are you are experiencing the feel that you ordinarily associate with good results. But when things go awry, you lose that feel and, with it, the good results you are getting.
When this situation arises, I am going to suggest that you forget about results and turn your attention to the fundamentals, namely the set-up and swing mechanics. I know this probably goes against all your basic instincts, but since the results are not there anyway, a change of direction is what’s called for. Until you accept this premise, any significant improvement is going to be difficult to accomplish.
Having accepted this concept, working on your basics should be the focus of attention. During this process, your immediate goal is to concentrate on what you are doing, not the specific results that occur. Observe the results, but only to get an idea of what is going on, not to specifically focus on a particular result. Then through time and a concerted effort, you should begin seeing a noticeable change in your results.
Now you are ready to apply what you have worked on where it matters — specifically the golf course. Let’s imagine you have a situation that involves having to avoid a water hazard, out-of-bounds area, or bunker. Previously, you might have let the possible result pose a problem, but now the mind-set you have developed is such that your focus is instead on what you are going to do, which makes it much easier to pull the trigger and just let the results take care of themselves. More times than not, this ends up with good things happening.
This approach of focusing less on results may at first seem like a difficult way of attacking a very common problem. However, by putting this concept to use, I have seen many frustrated golfers overcome the results-oriented scenario.
Learning your swing and how it works can certainly help build a high degree of self-confidence and positive feelings. Then, as I remind many golfers, you can just let it happen rather than trying to make it happen. When you can do this, watch how your results dramatically improve.
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.