Pin High Perspectives: Golf – It’s Between The Ears

Years ago, I was attending a junior golf camp when one of the teaching professionals informed our little group that golf was 90% mental and the other 10% between the ears. I was thirteen at the time, so I took a moment to process this new information.
 
Golfers are very passionate and enthusiastic about their favorite sport. Most who play understand and accept the numerous mental challenges that will never go away. Those who haven’t yet realized this have most likely stopped playing.
 
We’ll try to blend the invisible with the visible, the abstract with the concrete, the inner with the outer, and the mental with the physical. In golf, there is always a level of uncertainty. Here are some of the ever-present common doubts:
 
The fascination with new equipment
Golfers are mostly knowledgeable individuals, up-to-date on the newest equipment trends. Am I using the right type of irons? Are the shafts too heavy, too light, or too stiff? Could I hit it a little longer with a new driver? Can those new tees I saw really add distance? Are the lofts and bounce in my wedges best for me? Are my shirts too tight after a cold winter? Am I using the right ball for my game? My game declines after 12-13 holes. Should I use a power cart for the back nine?
 
The obsession with swing mechanics
We subscribe to golf magazines and try to better understand the mechanics of the golf swing and how they may apply to our particular move, gender, age, and body type. We partake in instructional clinics and maybe private lessons in the hope of a quick fix. We purchase instructional books from famous past and present teachers and players. Maybe my brain will understand.
 
We want to know about shots from the short grass, the long grass, and the sand. We’ll read about the full swing, the short game, putting, and everything uphill, downhill, or sidehill. And if that’s not enough, we can watch the 24/7 TV golf channel dedicated to the game; it never ends!
 
The infatuation with competition
There is a fondness for the game’s competitive nature and self-imposed pressures. We want to bring what we have on the driving range to the first tee and eventually to our division’s annual club championship or a simple outing with friends or family. Why can’t I ever play my best when it counts? Why am I making better contact after the beverage cart has been by a couple of times? Am I trying too hard or not hard enough?
 
The relentless pursuit of perfection
In golf, perfection is a four-letter word and cannot be achieved. At the very least, our intentions will only drive us to improve in relation to the time and money we decide to invest. Even our personal best games ‘could have been, should have been.’ In many ways, the beauty of it all is in the fact that the dangling carrot is just out of our reach. We are all self-conscious about our name being associated with a number and, thus, possible embarrassment.
 
The lure of the game
Knowingly, the outdoors is one of the main attractions. The distinctive scents, scenes, flora, and fauna energize us and make up the uniqueness of any and all golf courses. These particular and identifying features from course to course make up the visible attractions.
 
The invisible characteristics include the camaraderie among golfers and the inadvertent life-long friendships with folks from completely different backgrounds. Let’s also include the excitement of planning memorable golf trips, the game’s rich history, and quirky centuries-old rules and regulations. It never ends!