Golf is a game that people from all parts of the world can participate. Just like any sport, there are many levels that you can achieve. You can just play golf, simply for the enjoyment of being outside and socializing with your friends or you can take the game very seriously to the point where you compete as a professional to earn a living.
Each level has its standards that need to be met. Unfortunately, many people are not aware of what level they are at and what level of shots are achievable. For example, you would not expect a beginner to hit the ball 300m and shoot 66, and on the other hand, you would not expect a professional to have 7 three putts in a round of golf.
I see golfers at all levels of the game, from the social beginner through to the seasoned professional. The common factor that a lot of the golfers have is that they seem to expect too much of themselves. Unfortunately, most of the time, it is unreasonable what they think they should be achieving, especially when age and skill factor is assessed.
The common theme that I always hear, is when golfers do not understand why their mate hits the ball further than they do. You should always play to your limits. Everyone has their own body shape with certain flexibility levels. In life, there will be a golfer that is the longest in the world and then there will be the golfer than it is shortest in the world. Unfortunately, we all can not all the hit the ball the furthest, but we can play to our body limitations and swing within ourselves.
If you look at someone like Tiger Woods, he works out very hard and on a daily basis to allow his body to swing the way it does. The important factors in having good body mechanics is to have a strong core, solid balance, and good flexibility.
Obviously, we all do not have the time to achieve all this, so finding the right clubs, shaft flex, and lofts, are the secret to maximizing your distance. It is quite amazing when putting players on Trackman (www.Trackman.dk) and just simply changing the shaft of loft in their driver, how they can pick up distance. I see this on a regular basis with happy golfers.
When on the golf course, it is important to play to strengths and your level of golf. I believe, if you put too much expectation on a shot on the golf course, you are more than likely to walk away with an unfavourable result. I remember speaking to a successful professional and talking about how they calm their mind in an important point in their round. He simply said, “play down the moment. Do not put pressure on yourself. Allow yourself to play, and trust your ability. The quality of practice you have done will shine through.”
Do not go for the heroic shot that you have seen on television, take the club for the situation and swing within yourself.