Introducing The "Golf Blog"
Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 10:14AM The other day I had an epiphany: I realized there are two things in this world I'm passionate about - golf and writing.
My writing interests are, I believe, evident in what I put forth here.
As for golf, I've always strived to improve my game. Who hasn't. But this season I've, having suffered year after year frustrations, made a conscious effort to obtain a score of 90 or better.
Starting in March, I hit the practice range close to once a week and worked diligently on a new grip.
I played rounds with careful concentration and aimed to make intelligent decisions. I set out to eliminate three-putts and incorporate fairway-bound drives. And by doing all this, I'm proud to announce I reached my early season goal, twice.
With this in mind, I've now set my sights on 85 or better.
In addition to this new goal, I've decided to seek a foursome with 3 complete strangers in order to step outside my comfort zone. My logic: unless I can play in an unsettling environment, I'll never improve.
So why do I disclose all of this to you, my reader? It isn't because I think you care; because I'm sure you don't.
It is, rather, because I've decided to hold myself accountable to you.
I figure if I have to document my golfing strides, including my rounds as well as my practice sessions, then I'll have more incentive to live up to the goals I've laid down for myself.
In his latest book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell shows how it isn't a coincidence that successful individuals excel at their chosen professions. Along with other favorable circumstances, it's instead that these same individuals dedicate no less than the magic number of practice hours: 10,000.
Now don't get me wrong, I do not expect to accumulate 10,000 hours any time soon; perhaps never. But I do plan to log all practice sessions in order to assess how I'm stacking up against this theory.
Thus far, I figure I've compiled a conservative number of hours - 300.
Some may call this aspiration ridiculous. And that's fine. You have your goals and dreams; I have mine.
But from here on out, until I finally decide to end this quest - and therefore be forced to admit defeat - I'll be journaling my progress every few days. Again, whether it's a score I posted at a particular course or an amount of time I devoted to my craft, you'll hear about it here.
If you choose to read, thank you.
But please, if you happen to run into me somewhere or simply feel like shooting me an email, either way, hold me accountable.
With your help, I plan on turning practice into perfection.
Reader Comments (3)
Had no idea you were such a golf fan. Can't wait to hear about your progress. Everyone I know that plays golf never seems to get better because they don't practice enough. I think it's a great commitment to see if those 10,000 hours are attainable. Good Luck!
I wish you the best of luck on your persuit. Have you thought about what you are going to do in the winter?
Mark,
Thanks for commenting!
Absolutely, I'll be fine tuning my swing all winter long at the Chelsea Piers driving range as well as making some trips down south to get in a few rounds.
Although the winter months will make it difficult to perfect my game, it'll only force me to work harder come next spring.