Winning In Golf

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 14:33:41

Winning is a concept that is one of the most discussed concepts in sports. By definition winning is "to gain victory in a contest." Most would agree that at the professional level, only one winner emerges each week on the PGA Tour. However, is that really true? Not answered in the stated definition is "who are the competitors?" Can one compete against oneself? Can one compete against a golf course? Can one compete against yourself and your best on that day? The answer to all these hypothetical questions is a resound yes. In fact, if one competes against the things one can control then one has a better barometer of success on that day. Since golf is a game against one's physical and emotional self, I think it is better for the player to gauge winning by how one handled the adversity on the course that day. Can you still compete when your "A" game is not there? The best athletes in the world know how to compete and really win. As Bruce Crampton once stated, "Golf is a compromise between what your ego wants you to do, what experience tells you to do and what your nerves let you do." Tommy Bolt also knew this well. He stated, "The mind messes up more shots than the body." How do you gauge winning?

Until next time. Enjoy your golf,

Dr. Richard Gordin