Vol. 16: A Slice of Golf Wisdom
Let's talk about the mental game – the secret sauce to upping your golf game. Forget the complicated stuff; I've got some cool, practical insights to share with you today. Get ready to level up your golf game with a little mental magic!
Amazing, Pretty Good, Good Enough - What’s Your Expectation?
We've all heard the advice about keeping your expectations in check. But what does that really mean, and how do you do it?
Back when I got seriously into the game, I used to believe that every shot had to be right on target to be acceptable. I recall a specific evening when my mom joined me for a walk through nine holes at Devil’s Thumb in Delta, Colorado - the very course where my golf journey began. Things didn't start well; I made a bogey on the first hole, and I was feeling low as I walked to the par-5 second. But then came a great drive down the middle, leaving me with about 270 yards in. To get home in two, I needed a solid 3-iron. Now, before you say, "A 270-yard 3-iron? You must be joking," remember that Devil’s Thumb sits at an elevation of approximately 5,000 feet, where the ball travels a bit further. I rest my case. I pulled the 3-iron, gave it a rip, and - here comes the infamous slice ball into the sagebrush.
Without a second thought, I did something I'd later regret. I took my club, wound up, and helicoptered it down the fairway. It was, by far, the most embarrassing moment of my career to date - I acted like a 2-year-old throwing a tantrum right in front of my mom. Shamefaced, I walked down the fairway about 40 yards, picked up my 3-iron, and made sure to keep a decent distance from my mom to avoid showing my embarrassed face. As I ventured further down the fairway, I found my ball sitting up in the high desert dirt. All it would take was a well-struck 56-degree wedge shot to land it softly on the green. I executed it beautifully and made the putt for birdie.
So, what's the moral of the story? Sometimes you won't hit the best shot; in fact, it might be a terrible shot, yet it somehow ends up being good enough. It took me years to realize that most of my shots were simply "good enough," and I had very few amazing ones.
In my time coaching golfers, I've come to realize that many amateur golfers approach the game with an all-or-nothing attitude regarding their shot outcomes. It's either an amazing shot or a terrible shot - there's not much room in the middle. I'd challenge everyone to understand that most of your shots will fall into the "good enough" category. While you'll still have those rare, remarkable shots that keep you coming back, learn to embrace the good enough ones, recover, and you'll begin to play better golf.
My Expectation “Slice Of The Pie”
I find that shot dispersion is a lot like a slice of pizza. Take a look at the image below, and ask yourself: What are your initial thoughts? Are your expectations for shot dispersion where they should be?
Keep in mind that golf is heavily influenced by physics. You might be curious about why the dispersion widens with the driver. The explanation is quite straightforward. With a driver, there is significantly less loft on the club face compared to a pitching wedge. Consequently, the ball experiences more side spin. Even a slight half-degree open club face at impact can lead to substantial deviations from your intended target. Want to have your mind blown? this article from Adam Young goes into detail about how precise of a game we play.
Side note: I absolutely adore a good Neapolitan Pizza, so much so that I recently splurged on an Ooni Pizza Oven and delved into crafting homemade pizza. It might sound random, but I've become a follower of a couple of YouTube Pizza gurus. The first one is Vito Iacopelli, and his Next Level Pizza Dough recipe is nothing short of incredible! The second one I stumbled upon just last week, and I'm eager to give it a try. I want to clarify, these are not paid advertisements; I simply thought I'd share them with you, in case you're also a home pizza-making enthusiast!
Learning Your Shot Dispersion
The most accurate way to assess your shot dispersion is by using a launch monitor, as many of these devices come with software that generates a detailed report, including your average dispersion for each club. Naturally, we all strive for greater accuracy and consistency in our game, but it's essential to remember that golf is inherently imperfect. So, let's work on improving while also cutting ourselves some slack. Need to figure out your shot dispersion? Check out my winter coaching memberships and simulator packages here.
Key Takeaways From Today
If you have a habit of tossing your clubs in frustration, it's time for a change. Quit the club-throwing routine because nobody wants to golf with an angry golfer, and you'll end up playing solo.
The next time you're tempted to use your driver on the course, in your imagination, think about treating yourself to a visit to your favorite pizzeria. Ensure you pick the right club for the task at hand, just like choosing the perfect pizza topping.
Questions from my Wife Who Doesn’t Golf
đź‘© Wife: What do all the different colored stakes mean on the golf course?
🏌️‍♂️ Me: out of bounds = white | Penalty areas = yellow or red
You Might Also Like…
Affiliate Links and commissions disclosure:
Bo Baker Golf Academy may earn small commissions from affiliate links and forms that users might click on or fill out. These commissions help support the production and maintenance of the newsletter and our golf academy services. Rest assured that we only promote products and services that we believe in and find valuable for our readers and students. Your trust and satisfaction are our top priorities, and we are committed to providing authentic and helpful content. Thank you for being a part of our community.
