Let’s face it: Most golfers are stuck in a rut. They go out to the golf course to play with their usual friends, spend 4 1/2 hours playing their usual game, go home and don’t remember how they did. They enjoyed recreating for 25 percent of their waking hours, but did they get better? If the answer is “no,” some golfers would be concerned. Those are the motivated golfers. Are you one of them?
I’m one of those teachers who believes if we aren’t learning and improving we’re going backwards. It’s all about achievement motivation.
Motivation is a complex phenomenon. It is not directly observable, but there are evident symptoms and it is measurable. When Herb Wimberly and I were doing our golf schools, I remember that some of our students were obviously highly motivated to change their golf game for the better and were willing to expend the effort, while others just wanted to know the “secret” to better play so they didn’t have to practice. I have noticed golfers who have such a negative attitude and sour disposition that it is difficult to believe they are motivated to get better at golf much less enjoy it.
Being motivated for playing better golf involves setting specific goals to be followed by goal striving. My current poster child for motivation is PGA Tour pro Rafael Campos, who grew up in Puerto Rico. He missed the cut in 13 of his previous 15 events, and then won at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship on Nov. 17. Having the innate ability to do something, like swing a golf club, is not a requirement for success. It is possible to be motivated while lacking the corresponding ability. For example, if you currently lack the skill to hit a quality shot out of a sand bunker, your motivation, together with instruction and practice, will change that. Strong, persistent motivation usually manifests itself in a sustained dedication over time. This remains true in virtually all aspects of life, including professions, music, business and athletics. Research has shown a correlation between high motivation to recover from illness or accident with a faster recovery. Strong motivation can turn weaknesses into strengths.
If you know your motivation to improve is lacking, do your best to figure out why. Can it be inconsistent results, nagging injuries, perfectionism or unreachable (unrealistic) goals? If you feel like working on your game is a chore, find ways to notice the joy in golf. No one can give you motivation. You must be self-motivated. In many ways it becomes habit. All it takes is a little improvement that is directly related to what you are trying hard to do that will give you a little boost.
A lapse in motivation could be due to forgetting about your goals. Something as simple as keeping track of the number of greens and fairways you hit in regulation, and then raising the bar for yourself can help. How about the number of putts you take in a round? A lot of recreational golfers take over 40 putts for 18 holes. That’s too many. Set a goal for under 36. Consider sharing your new goals with your golfing friends, and see if they share your interest in raising the bar. If you want to tweak your swing for the better, get used to being uncomfortable. It’s like a gym workout: It wasn’t meant to be comfortable.
If you have a good golf swing, do not squander what you were given, but rather try to make it earn more satisfying results. Being motivated to excellence leaves absolutely zero tolerance for complacency and excuses.
