narrominded
Jake Narro, PGA professional, head golf coach at Southeastern Louisiana University and
Backspin publisher
what kind of golfer are you?
The roller coaster of emotions that a round
of golf can take you on can be cruel and unusual
punishment. The highs and lows you have to
deal with to get through a day on the links can
have even the best of us seeking professional
help. When you hear someone being described
as having the perfect demeanor for golf, that
person always seems to have a laid back, take it
as it comes type of attitude.
As a college golf coach, I get to go on that
emotional thrill ride in the passenger seat on
a routine basis. It’s really unfair to expect 18-
22 year olds to be able to handle this diabolical
game we love, but I truly love being in a position
to help them with this task. I’ve discovered there
are different types of golfers.
College golfers are so much fun to be around.
They are mostly respectful, well-mannered
young men. They also forget their wallets, keys,
long pants, or you name it on every trip we
take. For those of you who have kids in this age
group, I’m sure you feel my pain.
I have figured out that “Golfer A” is a high
energy, all out type of guy. He hasn’t met a
hole location he doesn’t like. I tend to call these
types puppies as they are always happy to see
me. They can be 4-under through 12 holes and
yelling through the trees from 150 yards that
they just hit the best 8-iron of their lives on the
previous hole. I have to leave their teammate
I’m walking with to go settle them down.
Then, after a couple of bogeys and maybe
a double, the puppies turn in the scorecards
with their tails between their legs as if they had
pooped on the floor. My challenge with them is
to keep those players a little calmer when things
are going well and a little more upbeat when
things are not.
“Golfer B” tends to be a bit of a pessimist.
He’s one of those that thinks he gets a few more
bad breaks than the next guy. Know any of
those kind of golfers? My job with these is to
keep them in the moment as they love to dwell
on the past. This golfer can let one bad break
affect him for the rest of the day. His ceiling
is high as his technique is good, and he has a
soft touch. Once he figures out to deal with the
roller coaster, the sky is the limit.
Because both golfers are outstanding players.
Then you have players on the team that go
through the ultimate thrill rides. I have had
players make eagles, birdie difficult holes and
even had a hole-in-one. They then birdie the
next hole and par the next three while having
great looks at birdie.
They hit the ball great, chipping crisp and
making putts. Then the train really goes off
the tracks. The derailment comes courtesy of
a snowman, and these golfers get an eight on a
par four.
Unlike “Golfer A” or “Golfer B,” this golfer
has the perfect demeanor for golf. Not much
bothers him; he’s quiet, reserved and takes
things as they come. However, golf took this
mild-mannered person on a ride that would
make Space Mountain seem smooth. As the
ride came to an end, he got another birdie/
bogey stretch which completely zapped him of
any sanity he had left.
At least he has a lifetime story ace to hang
his hat on. Even if it’s an eagle, it’s a great story
for at least a few days.
Who in your game has the perfect approach
to golf ? Are you the one that gets super mad
when playing poorly and strutting like a peacock
when things are going your way. If you do and
it isn’t working for you, try to take the Fred
Couples approach to golf and act like it doesn’t
matter. It may be just the thing to get you a
bit more consistent and allows you to enjoy the
roller coaster of golf.
Jake
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