The answer is pertinent to many situations in life; when the problem seems so big and overwhelming and you have no idea where to start. The simple answer is almost always to take manageable steps, consistently taking the problem apart piece by piece. Very soon the problem seems smaller and more manageable. If you stick to the task the problem/goal is solved or achieved.
Strange start to a golf article, I know. It can be applied to many different facets of life and golf. For example, this week signals the return of Tiger to competitive golf. His path back to the first tee has been so so long, you almost have to give him credit for taking the walk to the first tee at all.
In the last fifteen months, he has had two back surgeries; put this alongside him turning forty-one next month, you can see why it would be easier for him to throw himself into other pursuits rather than having to sit in front of the press answering endless questions about his optimism regarding winning again. Whilst being wheeled into the room where there are sharp knives, people with masks and a machine that goes ping, the elephant must have seemed at its largest. But day by day, month by month he stuck to his plan and now he is back. Golf, in my opinion, is better for it.
What is possible? Who knows, but if you cast your mind back to Ben Hogan’s near fatal car accident in 1949, age thirty-seven, doctors were not confident that he would walk again. He added six more major championships to his name after the accident. It may be my optimistic perspective coming out here, but it wouldn’t surprise me if Tiger hasn’t something left in him to surprise us with. One thing is for sure, we will know more as it happens.
As 2016 draws to a close; sorry but by the time you read this there will be no excuse not to have the Advent Calendar up and the Christmas Tree situated in an appropriate corner - a serious question: How’s your golf been this year? Did you achieve what you set out to do? Or more interestingly, did you set out to achieve anything? Did you start playing?
I guess the question I’m asking is, does the elephant seem any smaller this year or has it actually grown. If it’s grown you may want to take this next sentence quite seriously; without a plan of action, 2016 may be the best you will ever play.
So with this in mind, in this space, once a month over the next year, my article will be dedicated to covering the fundamentals of the game and giving you a systematic approach to improving your golf. The ‘Gripping Issues’ article from the 10-11-2016 edition should be part of it. Have a look online, print it out, it’s about the correct grip and how to achieve it.
Wouldn’t it be great if you could play better if you actually felt a sense of achievement after a round or practice session? Take a minute, go and get a piece of paper, pen, tablet or whatever you use to make a note these days and sit down. All I would like you to do is imagine yourself in twelve months’ time and then put a score you would like to have shot or a handicap you would like to achieve. Bear in mind, Ben Hogan believed that there was no real impediment to a player achieving single figures. What score or handicap would put a smile on your face when looking back at 2017. Write it down and put it somewhere safe, yet visible. It needs to be referred to regularly.
Now, if you believe what you have written is possible, we are off to the best start. This is not an airy fairy New Year’s resolution, it’s your golf game. If Tiger can get back out in front of the cameras; put his neck, body and reputation on the block. If Ben Hogan could win six Major Championships after a life threatening accident, surely shaving a couple of shots off your score is eminently possible. Isn’t it?
The next article will be on correct posture.