John Hughes Golf Tips 9.20
EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUCTION
Let’s tackle equipment first. You can’t buy a great game. However, you can purchase a horrible game if your clubs don’t fit you.
At the price equipment costs, it no longer makes sense to play with off-the-rack equipment. Even if you have the most frugal budget in the world, spending a little more on the best deal of clubs you negotiated to ensure your clubs are correctly fit is worth it. Although I do not advocate this with my clients, simple adjustments to existing clubs to compensate for a swing that will not be improved has been known to shave a few strokes off a golfer’s score. If you’re looking to make a major investment in your equipment, it’s worth the extra time and expense to experience a through, professional fit using resources that provide real data, not assumed.
Lessons and finding a great coach to assist you with reaching your potential is a solid investment in yourself. When the equipment fits, you’ve tried everything to fix yourself, yet there is no improvement, why continue to drive yourself insane trying to do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result?
In some cases, one hour of great instruction to help you prioritize the maze of information in your brain can make all the difference. A great coaching experience can make a huge difference. And it’s less taxing on your wallet if you’re the type of golfer trying to “buy” a great game.
There are plenty of other reasons why you’re not playing so great, or at a consistency level you expect. But until you realize that you’re in charge of your own destiny, you’ll continue to struggle and experience frustration. Quit blaming others, the course, traffic, and the other items on your excuse list for your inability to reach your potential. Take control of your game and make small efforts to the five that are staring you in the face. With just a little effort, you can make significant differences to your scores, and your ability to experience golf at an enjoyable level.
John Hughes is a PGA Master Professional 2009 Northern Florida PGA Teacher of the Year and founder of John Hughes Golf in Orlando, Florida. Reach him at www.johnhughesgolf.com
