What Can Aspiring Young Golfers In Particular Learn From Seve?

Young Gofers Need To Take Note Of The Legend That is Seve Ballesteros

I was sat watching the TV and as I was scrolling through trying to find what time the NFL highlights program would be on, a tribute to Seve Ballesteros had just started. What a man he was and what a legacy he leaves behind.

Seve Ballesteros unfortunately lost his battle with a brain tumor in may 2011 and this program was another tribute to the great Spaniard from his own interviews, old footage of his major wins, shots and stories from other players that competed and played with this charismatic man.

So why am I telling you this?

I feel that every young golfer and aspiring pro can learn so much in the way he conducted himself, how he was a self taught master and that pure guts, courage, artistry and determination to win is what separates the best from the rest. Not the ever growing sea of faceless robotic golfers that aspire to play professional golf, college golf or just junior golf tournaments.

Within the first minute it tells the famous story of how he began golf on the beach with a 3 iron learning all his shots and skills as well as the exact shot he used to practice from a back yard hitting over a house onto the nearby golf course green, running to get the 3 golf balls back. Amazing.

This reminded me of the where I started to learn;

In the University campus I grew up on, hitting shots on a football field over tennis courts, next to a patch of grass overlooked by university building. Yes, I did break a few windows.

Seve oozed passion, charisma, flare and courage on and off the golf course. and this unfortunately is something we see less and less in youth golf and with aspiring young golfers.

Here are some things that others have noted about him;

"I see golf as that I am an artist, not a player" - Seve

When he walked in a room, you did not have to turn around to know he was there because of his presence"- Colin Montgomery

"He loved his golf, and golf loved him"- Nick Faldo

"There is no one like it in the game any more. You dont get characters like him anymore" - Billy Foster his caddie from 1991 1995

I create a lot of shots and produce a lot of shots throughout my career more than a lot of other people do. Maybe that is why people like to watch Seve Ballesteros?" - Seve

You just have to remember the inspiration Seve gave to the European Ryder Cup team this year, they played with Seve on their shirt arms and in the their hearts.

A legend, a legacy.

So how do you play?

What will you bring to this great game?

Will you entertain?

Not just by wearing orange like Rickie Fowler, but by allowing your charisma to shine through.

Even Seve's follow through positions a lot of the time, you dont ever see that anymore with young golfers or good players especially.

OK maybe you see a swashbuckling finish position from a weekend warrior that gets out once every couple of weeks and HAS to finish like that because of the swing flaws.

My point is;

Play with passion, be an artist and play with courage.

It will help you become the best and happiest golfer you could ever be, and who knows.

Maybe someday the best golfers in the world will be saying the same things about you.