It’s amazing how much we are affected by the observations of others, even when those well meaning suggestions throw us off our game.
I’m reminded of this circumstance after returning from three days of golf school where I struggled to lose bad habits and regain my earlier swing. A very patient instructor eliminated many mistakes and misperceptions that built up over the years, and I emerged with an improved approach that I hope to retain.
Anyone who takes golf seriously — from the amateur to the seasoned pro — probably has experienced the same circumstances. We watch the Golf Channel, read tips in Golf Digest or listen to friends, and attempt to incorporate new traits to achieve better results. “More body turn.” “Stand taller.” “Head up.” “Widen your stance.” After a period of time, you find that many of these changes have polluted your game and you have added strokes to your average round, instead of shooting lower scores.
How often in our lives does criticism or correction convince us to make changes, even when those changes represent steps backward, rather than forward? Like the innocent golfer, we tend to internalize the observations of others in all aspects of our lives. As a result, we can drift away from the positive aspects of our work, our recreation or our selves. So it pays to filter the analyses of others, and recognize when change really leads to improvement.
By the way, anyone seeking a great golf school experience is well advised to seek out the VIP Golf Academy at the Legacy Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Director of Instruction Tom Tarsia is experienced and constructive. In three days, he rebuilt my swing, and removed hitches, motions and tendencies that cluttered my game. No doubt, I’ll return in the future for new fixes and improvements.
After dropping a lot of “junk” from my golf habits, I’m playing better. I’m still far from “par,” but this golf school experience has advanced my game closer to passable, which is a major step for me. Now, perhaps I can apply the same process elsewhere in my life.
