I always look at the game as improving yourself in some way. Unless you’re taking up the game as a kid, where improvement can be vast and perhaps lead to a career in this sport, there are always limitations–your age, your job, your family, etc. Yet, even with those limitations, there are things we can improve.
And for those who are really good–such as a friend of a friend who was the club champion at Congressional Country Club several times and who, the first time I played with him, shot a 67 on a course in my area that I’d played fifty times and broken 80 once and that he’d never seen–there are limitations as well. That same golfer got an exemption into the Kemper Open when it was played at Congressional in the 1980s. He was in the position I was in when I first played with him–he’d played the course every week while the pros either hadn’t ever played the course or last played it a year or two before.
My friend caddied for him. He hit the first green in regulation, as he had so many times before as a member. And then from 15 feet above the hole proceeded to knock the first putt off the green, four putting there and shooting 81-83 to miss the cut.
No matter how good you get or how bad you are right now, there are plenty above and below you. As all the greats say, the only thing you can control is yourself. And you can’t even (nor can any of us, including the pros) control yourself completely from day-to-day or year-to-year. You can only try to keep trying to make yourself better.
For a high-level pro comparison, look at Jordan Spieth. Five years ago, he looked unbeatable. He hit great shots from trouble, sank a ton of critical putts.
And then it went away. I was stunned to read today that he hasn’t won in four years. I had not thought about how long it had been since he was so good. Yet, he had a great three rounds at Pebble Beach this weekend and has had some good tournaments recently. He came up short today though. I think you could ask Jordan Spieth your question and find out that complacency becomes doubt real quickly.
Yet, I don’t think Spieth will let that doubt conquer him–at least not without a fight. Same thing with complacency–don’t let it conquer you. At least not without a fight to keep getting better at something in this game, no matter what other circumstances might arise. Even as some skills related to athleticism erode, others, such as putting, short game, course management, and the mental game, can get better.
That’s why golf is the sport of a lifetime.
2. I really don’t feel the need to post because I don’t really measure my success by my handicap. Which I guess is on theme for this conversation.
