 One of the challenges about being a young
person is dealing with what feels like is a
constant comparison to other people. This is
true at school, in one’s social circles, at
home, and in the golf arena.
What many young people inevitably do during
this time of analysis is begin to feel
somewhat insecure about certain aspects of
who they are. “I’m shorter than
everyone” “I’m taller than everyone” “I’m
skinnier than everyone” “I’m heavier than
everyone”.
This type of thinking leaks into golf,
creating insecurities about the game. “I
can’t hit it as far as most kids” “I don’t
putt as well as he does” “We don’t have as
much money so I don’t get the instruction
that she does”.
When this is going on inside one’s head, it
is very difficult to “play your own game”.
Instead, junior players often try to be
someone they are not, try to keep up with
what others are doing, or try to do things
that are not in their capacity.
Not only does this emphasis on what others
are doing frequently hurt a player’s
confidence, it also regularly impacts course
management decisions. Among the common
mistakes:
Unconsciously pulling the driver out
of their bag in order to hit it as far off
the tee as possible.
Automatically pulling 3-wood for the
second shot into a Par 5
Consistently “under clubbing” by
falsely believing certain clubs are hit
further than they actually are.
Making high risk/low reward shot
selection decisions.
Swinging the club harder to try to
hit it further.
The solution to this is to be honest and
objective about what strengths and
capabilities you bring to the course as a
player. This is what is referred to
as “playing within yourself”. Once you
recognize and acknowledge what works for you,
you will begin to play the game in the way
that is best for you, rather than playing the
game in order to try to do what others are
doing or the way you think it should be
done.
The truth is, whether judging against others
in life or in golf, we will always find
someone who is better at something than we
are. It is hard to get our ego out of the
way and lay up when our competitor can get
there in two. It is difficult emotionally to
hit 5-iron to a Par-3 hole when our
competitor hits 9-iron. It is a challenge to
continue doing what you’re doing if you see a
competitor who is successful doing something
different.
In life, those that are constantly following
others lose a sense of who they really are.
In golf, those that are distracted by others
often get lost in constantly changing their
game. Be like the best players in the world.
The most successful golfers of any age figure
out what they’re good at, understand what
works for them, and then make a commitment to
stick to it.
Be the best player with what you have, rather
than trying to be something that you’re not.
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