A Milestone Thought

In all the thoughts I've had while playing golf, the most telling to date occurred on the course two weeks ago. Unfortunately it continued resurfacing throughout the round, but fortunately, it's since become a building block on my path towards great golf.

The thought wasn't anything specific per se, but rather a philosophical approach to focused play, or lack thereof. While having the thought continuously popping into my mind, I even followed up the recognition of it by thinking that if I could turn this last corner, truly successful golf might be right around the bend.

Enough with the anticipation, I know. My thought, or thoughts, was always on the next shot. For instance, I would hit the green in regulation and be thinking about two-putting for par. Or I'd fail to get to the green in three on a par 4 and find myself thinking about getting up-and-down for bogey. This mindset even went so far as thinking of going par, par on the last two holes for a 42 on the back. (I went bogey, bogey.)

Now believe me, I realize the absurdity of this thought process. Each time a moment described above entered my mind, I'd do my best to shoo it away. But then instead of concentrating on the shot at hand, I was focusing on focusing. I knew this thinking had to go, however at the same time understood the opportunity for improvement.

Fast forward a week later and my whole approach was on executing the shot before me. It's so clich , and I've probably stated it before, but I was adamant on not worrying about the previous shot or the upcoming. If any thoughts infiltrated my concentration, I refused to welcome them.

Although I can't say I accomplished this on every shot (there was a two hole span where I allowed another golfer to get in my head), I can say that because of more tunneled thinking, my execution was near flawless, and my score a personal best.

That's right. One of my continuous goals is to better my score (whose isn't?). With this mark always in sight, I took to the course this weekend for two rounds of golf. The first had glimmers of potential, but entering the second I had a feeling something more was brewing. I knew a more concerted effort to staying present was in me. This time, I literally took one shot at a time and shoved down any desire to count my score, consider possibilities, or think about how the round was unfolding.

Believe me, the urge to peak at the card was overwhelming at times. Especially after going par, par, bogey, par, par, it was killing me. But each time I ignored the callings and saw my thoughts merely drift by as the next shot lay before me. Afterwards I was extremely pleased with my score, an 85 - one stroke better than my previous best, but great golf requires looking back in order to excel further.

There were back-to-back three-putts after getting on in regulation; a topped tee shot on 18 that led to a double bogey; a missed three foot putt for birdie after sticking an 8-Iron pin high; and the ultimate lesson for the round: a seven on a par 3 after letting an unethical golfer get in my head. (I'd say more but I prefer to give this golfer the benefit of the doubt.)

Overall, learning from my always-looking-ahead thought process was more gratifying than the 85. Don't mistake me, I'm thrilled about the personal best. But my goal was to overcome a mental obstacle on my path to great golf. And I feel I did that with enormous efficacy.

There may be larger hurdles to leap in the days, months and years ahead. But as for right now, similar to how a swing becomes memorized in the muscles, I consider focused golf - being present on executing one shot at a time- engrained in my mental attitude on the game.

And for me, it's a milestone I've been waiting for.

Hours of practice: 590

Comments

[Anonymous]

Richard, this is a lesson that transcends the golfcourse. Your reflections always seem to have a more profound and broader applicability.

-Inspired reader