How bad do you want to play good (well)?

[cypressperch]

You play with hundreds of different golfers over the years. It is amazing how many have really original swings. They sometimes score a lot better than their swings look, but they seldom play really well. They seem to have gotten into golf through a friend. They may have taken a lesson or two, but from then on they have "built" their own games. After a while, they have a little idea of where the ball might go, and with this they go out and play "golf." When things go bad, they are at a loss as to why. They say things like, "What am I doing?" Yes, they say a lot of those things too. Some days, with a little luck (usually at the putting part of the game) they score a little better and are incouraged to continue their pursuit of better scores.

I have played with many golfers like this. Sometimes, they will come right out and ask if you can tell them what they are doing wrong. Very few times do they really want to hear what you have to say because usually an entire overhaul is required, but that is not what they are after. They want a "magical tip." They think they are close to having the game under control, and some little item will cure everything.

Folks, the game is not the easiest thing in the world to do well. When I say "well" I mean you are not that far from par. You hit several really nice shots every round. You seldom three putt. You seldom get penalty strokes. The ball usually goes pretty close to where you want it to go. You are putting for birdies on two-thirds of the holes, or more. You make two or three birdies in a typical round. You play the tees that match your ability. And you got to this point by a lot of study as well as a lot of "digging your game out of the ground." It takes a lot of effort, but you find the rewards worth it.

I have absolutely nothing against the person who is not interested in getting absolutely as good as they can at playing golf. They are happy just to get out and play and if the scoring stays somewhat high over the years, its no big deal for them. They enjoy the occasional good shot, and it is OK if they are few and far between.

But the person who gripes all the time about their poor play, but refuses to really do anything major to change when that is required, I do not think they have a leg to stand on. They certainly are not fun to be around since they typically stay mad most of the round.

Today, there is a lot of information out there about how to make a good swing. There is much more to golf than just having a good swing, but that is certainly a good foundation on which to build. A lot of golfers today have made good use of that information, and as a result, a lot of golfers have swings that are increasingly looking similar. Sportscasters bring this up quite frequently. Someone like Jim Furyk stands out like a sore thumb. But at your local golf course, unusual swings are just as common as ever. People still think that they can sort of create their own personal swing that will do the job. Occasionally, it happens that someone does score well with a sort of strange swing. But it is usually that they score well in spite of, not because of, that original swing style. I will say one thing for this type of golfer, they have probably worked a lot to get such a swing to work for them. I just have to wonder how they would be playing had they had better information on which to base all of that work.

If you want to be your best, you got to get and use the best instruction you can acquire. You need equipment that is truly fitted to you personally. Every day you should do something that makes you a better golfer even if its just watching the Retief Goosen swing clip on the GD web site, doing some exercises, or whatever. Something. When you end up playing your best, it will be the direct result of putting your best effort into the pursuit. Again, this pursuit is not for everyone, but I hope that there are not a lot of people out there that are selling themselves short. We can all get a lot better, and it is nice when it happens.

Perhaps had one too many beers. The best of luck to all with their games, whatever stage that game is currently at. Sincerely, Cypressperch

[warbirdlover]

Everyone has their own idea of what they want out of golf. And most are not so stupid as to realize they won't improve much without lessons and alot of practice and rounds. Some are limited by finances, some by time but seldom can any devote the amount of time needed to take their game to a high level. I strive to have a swing that won't get snickers from the waiting groups behind me and that will hold up on the first tee. Scorewise if I can consistently stay between 80-99 for 18 holes (lower is better) with that occasional good game, I've gotten everything I should out of golf. If my body doesn't hold up in my old age I'll have to raise my targets that's all.

The point you're trying to make is a good one. Don't whine if you don't put some effort into it. You're getting what you should expect. Good post.

[ndlarry]

Great post. You convinced me it's time to see the local pro. I just turned 50 and have been playing for 17 years. When I first started playing I took a series of lessons. Over the years I improved every year, I also practiced more. The last few years I have been stuck around 12 or 13 handicap. Made it to 9.9 for a few weeks last year.

The last 3 weeks I have been in a fog.The more I struggle the more swing thoughts I have added. When I am playing well the only thing I think of is tempo. Yesterday I used the line on my buddy "what the hell am I doing" . I want to work through the slump but I need some professional help. Or maybe a shrink

Playing 9 holes at an executive course with my wife this morning. Maybe I can iron out a few things by just keeping everything simple.

[ezra76]

Was this post about me?? I practice and play more than the average golfer but I am pretty hard-headed about taking advice and getting lessons. My ultimate goal is to shoot under par and it is a long term goal for sure. I've done OK so far with reaching short term goals and working on the areas I need to. I dropped my 60* wedge and my driver for a while to work on my course management and longer irons/woods. It's paid off big time as I can now pull out my 5iron and feel just as confident as if it were my PW. The biggest improvements have come in iron striking and chipping this year. I've started looking into lessons and will make the commitment this winter. I don't want to tear down a swing that has me at an 85.5 scoring avg. in the middle of the year. I'd rather do so when I have time for 6-8 lessons and can hit the range every other day for few months.

[nsherman2006]

I somewhat disagree. While professional instruction does not hurt, i dont think it is the ONLY way to get to be a good golfer. I have never had a lesson in my life. I'm playing to a 3 or 4 handicap right now, and have shot 68(4 under par) at my home course, and i'm only in my 4th year of playing. I do better to figure things out for myself. I think the best way to do things is not to rely on a professional to fix them, but get to the point where you know what you are doing wrong and you are able to fix it yourself. I do agree with your point that putting effort in is the only way to get better, but its not necessary to have instruction. Also, i think that custom fitted equipment is overrated. I dropped by the golf course after school once, didnt realize my clubs werent in the car, borrowed 4 old beat up irons, a bent 5 wood, and took a wedge and putter i had never used out of my car, and shot even par. I think i could have shot maybe 35 with my full set of clubs that fit me. Even then, i switch clubs an incredible amount, but it never really hurts my game. I play something well for a while, then once i start to lose confidence, i switch it out. That's all golf is about, confidence. And i find its a lot easier to be confident in your game when you dont need to rely on a second opinion to help you out

[warbirdlover]

I did not necessarily suggest you HAVE to have a professional lesson, only that you had to put more time and effort into it to improve or else don't whine. If you were going pro the lessons would be mandatory.

[JEFF4i]

I've had 3 lessons(30 minutes each) in the first two weeks, which were about setting up, making sure you know your routine, etc. And after 4 years of solid play, I grinded myself to the point I'm at.

Which reinforces your point, Cypress, you have to work. Even when I had school I'd go out with my mat and practice chipshots on my property in the evening. I'm constantly working on my swing, for better or worse, to improve my game.

Most importantly, I've forced myself to know what I'm doing wrong when I do it, and when I go out, I can fix almost any problem within a few holes, which I believe is my biggest asset.

[cypressperch]

the best instruction possible, in some cases, that might very well be self-instruction. I have stated elsewhere that some pros offer instruction that is not worth any where near what you pay for it. A good video or book would cost a fraction of a lesson, and pay off a much greater return. I also agree with you that a goal should be to get to the point where you can correct things yourself since you have to do just that, and quickly, when things start going wrong when you are playing.

Everyone is different, and it appears that you might be in the happy situation of being able to do more for oneself than the average golfer. I wish you continued success. But what if there was a teaching pro available that could watch you swing, and spot needed improvements immediately? But you certainly could get a camera set up and approximate the quickness of that teaching pros instantaneous analysis. Taking the time to film yourself swinging would be one of the "somethings" we could do to improve. I might add that seldom does it happen that a person sees themselves swinging without finding a least a surprise or two in what they are doing. Feel is great, but not always 100 % accurate. I once read of a golfer who had several swings--his Nicklaus swing, his Trevino swing, etc--but when these different swings were viewed after filming, they were essentially the very same, much to this golfer's amazement.

That you could score well with such a motley assortment of clubs is a good indication that you have YOUR swing very much under control. Trick shot artists take that even farther with their extra long clubs, garden hose shafts, etc. The good shots are made because of a repeatable swing. The good shots are made inspite of the handicap of using less-than-the-best equipment. Most professional golfers would never go out and play without having the very best equipment in their hands. (I think some sort of do that when they get millions to play equipment that might not be the very best, but it is fine-tuned for them personally to such a degree, that you can see the importance placed on getting the right sticks to play with.)

You strike me as the kind of guy that likes to "dig it out of the ground." My best game is somewhere in there, and I am going to find it. And as you get your game closer and closer to where you want it to be, you can take a lot of personal satisfaction in knowing that you figured it out yourself. There are some who can do that more easily than others. But even the very best golfers today have those they turn to regularly to have those "paid eyes" there for quick feedback. Myself, out of financial necessity, I do the reading, watching video, do my own digging thing. If money were no object, I would pay for instruction after obtaining good referals about the teaching in question. I might add here that I have had golfing partners over the years who got to know my swing, and I got to know their swing. I doubt if many professionals could have been as valuable to me as these friends.

I like the way Warbird gets to the point, even if it is my point (Hey, I need the help!) Do not sell yourself short, we all have undeveloped potential. There are things we can do, that may differ from one person to the next, that can help us realize that potential. It is not right to those around us who want to enjoy their time golfing if a person is whining and worse about their play when such results are automatic if we have high expectations from such a nicely difficult game without putting in the right effort. As Churchill once said, "Sometimes are best is not good enough. Sometimes we have to do what is required."

The best of luck to all with this great game. Sincerely, Cypressperch