Are We Having Fun Yet? Why Is Golf So Difficult?

A popular belief about the game of golf is that it is easy. And certainly when the professionals are seen on television it does indeed appear manageable. The beginner reads the magazine ads and innocently may say: "I think I will take up golf." A resultant trip to the gadget store: the sporting goods golf department, to buy the proper equipment, and of course clothing, gets them started. Oftentimes the buyer exits the store looking like the student in "Tin Cup." Lots of contraptions, no clue as to what is awaiting them!

Now many golfers want to experience golf for the walking exercise, others to enjoy a day outdoors with friends, while others want to be able to play in work events. The more serious, and competitive golfer usually wants to attain more success at the game. After a time or two at the golf course the novice realizes golf is not as easy as the champions make it look on TV. Most newbies now find themselves asking "Why is this game so hard?" This is likely the time when they seek out golf instruction/schools to find the answer.

A significant reason golf is "hard" is that so many aspirants think that the elements of golfing success can be self taught from manuals or well meaning friends. Error!

A primary reason golf is hard to master is that so many of the physical techniques are counter intuitive and the student has a frustrating time adjusting to what feels natural to him/her. The complexities of the golf swing as commonly taught, sound something like this. "Swing slowly for distance" "Swing 80% of your capacity to hit it far" "For power to be effective, you need a soft grip" "Putting is an art, not a science" Now what does the golfer think of those ideas when standing on the driving range with a 200 yard distance to cover and a funny looking club in his hand? Learning these basic principles, and others like them, is absolutely necessary for any progress to take place

For a fortunate few, usually right brain types, the verbiage is less critical as they function best by "feel" One of the leading problems in golf instruction is a situation the instructor and the student are unaware how the student takes information and reacts to it. A lawyer and a musician absorb information and utilize it in different ways. What kind of learner are you?

Now golf is played on a wide area measured in hundreds of yards, and the distance to cover is intimidating all by itself to many players, especially women. Moving the golf ball 200+ yards is a matter of technique, but it is a subtle technique consisting of timing, and proper form. Even the beginner has a clubhead speed in excess of 60 mph! Of course in addition to distance you still have to find the ball, so accuracy cannot be neglected. The basic swing patterns which create distance also create accuracy.

Now once a person thinks he has some of these fundamentals in order, he is confronted with the most basic skill inherent in the golf game. That is the use of the brain to utilize the physical skills. Some of the best golfing minds have said, golf is 80-90% mental! There is something demoralizing which occurs in the silence of the preparation for the golf swing. It is quiet and private, a strange place for many individuals to be! Negative thoughts have a tendency to destroy good intentions. Most new golfers are not well taught in the mechanics of positive thoughts and emotions.

"If you don't believe you can do it, or if you believe you can do it, in both cases you are right"! As one progresses in golf skills, the mind itself becomes the 15th club. Another way of putting it-as you live your life, so you can live your golf. Be positive!

To get the most out of ones golfing experience there is absolutely no substitution for learning the fundamentals in their simplest form. Golf is not brain surgery, but it is a highly individualistic process and rarely, except in the young, is it instinctive. One must develop technique and "feeling" related to their own body type, natural ability and coordination. The secret to solving golf's difficulties is excellent professional golf instruction. First consult your local driving range professional for short series of lessons with other beginners in a small group. Then practice, practice, practice. When you have developed a reasonable proficiency, attendance at a 2-3 day golf school which promotes fundamentals and playing/instruction time, is a logical move.

Upon completion of these tasks, you are now ready to understand why the game is so frustrating.

The secret to making it "easy" rests entirely within you! "The fault lies within ourselves."