It’s normal to try and be a perfect golfer. Make that putt, hit the green and strike the ball with accurate power.
But sometimes the perfect mindset leads us to get defensive. We clam up – and end up playing with fear and self-doubt.
Playing perfectly seems like the right thing to do but almost always isn’t. Here’s a better mindset.
Play with what you’ve got today. Realise that you’re a work in progress and a poor shot or two today doesn’t mean you’re stuck with them forever.
This is the same attitude adopted in the business world. Microsoft and Google don’t wait until they have the perfect product. They release the best product they have right now.
They know over time it will improve. They’ll learn from their mistakes and keep getting better and better.
Humans have an incredible learning system. We just have to let it do it’s thing. And the best thing is to get out of your own way.
Let go, swing freely and don’t let the odd bad shot or two stop you.
There’s no such thing as a perfect golfer anyway.
Cameron Strachan is a self confessed golf nut. He has transformed his game by thinking less and playing more. His golf blog and website tells the complete story and can help you play golf with more confidence and consistency.
Evan has been helping out with some of the golf videos I’ve been shooting. As a payback he has been getting some assistance with his game.
He is a good golfer but I think he is letting himself down. Here’s why.
He is trying too hard. He his scared of making mistakes and is trying to be the perfect golfer.
This is counter intuitive I know – but he needs to stop caring and trying so much. The stupid game of golf is a paradox. When you can swing without care and fear, your game game goes up a level or two. When you can swing this way for a length of time you realise your potential.
Heading back from the course tonight I was listening to a golf DVD (I was stuck in traffic and bored). The coach was insisting that golfers need to get precise and aim for perfection. I disagree with this fully.
Evan played three poor shots in the first three holes. He was grinding and trying as hard as he could (probably in an effort to beat me 
)After each bad shot he threw another ball down in disgust. The next attempt was successful. Same guy, same swing but a different mindset.
The other attempts were hit without care or thought. He wasn’t even trying that hard. When I highlighted this he recommitted to following the automatic process for the next few weeks. This means;
- He can’t start complaining about his swing
- He isn’t allowed to tell stories about the odd bad shot or two
- And he definitely can’t start analysing and go searching for a different swing
- Perfection is out – free, flowing and natural golf is in
The perfect golfer mindset is common. But for most it needs to be replaced with an easy going and care free spirit.
Not easy to do but could be the only thing standing between you and playing near perfect golf.
