narrominded
Jake Narro, PGA professional, head golf coach at Southeastern Louisiana University and
Backspin publisher
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. As
much as I love to play golf, I find that it is a
good thing to take some time off every now and
then.
As a PGA member who is supposed to
promote the game, this may sound a bit out
of whack. However, I do feel as if some time
away, especially for those lucky enough to play
multiple times a week, can do a lot of good. I
will give you a few ideas of how to go about
perhaps not playing quite as much but getting
more out of your game.
Now, I’m not suggesting to completely stay
away from golf; I’m saying that one extra round
when you are struggling may not always be the
best strategy. Believe me, I would much rather
play than practice any day of the week, but I
have learned the hard way that it’s a tough way
to get out of a rut.
For example, if you always play on
Wednesdays and Saturdays with the same
group, it may do you some good to skip a
day and work on the part of your game that
is giving you trouble. Thirty minutes on the
range and another 45 chipping and putting
can go a long way to getting you back on track.
Most important in this area is to finish off your
practice time about the same time your normal
group is finishing up so you can still enjoy the
post round festivities.
Another great way to work on your game
while not playing is to watch other people play.
This doesn’t mean to try and change your
technique or anything like that, but it is helpful
to gain a different perspective on how to get
the ball in the hole. First and foremost, watch
golf on television and listen carefully to the
commentators. You never know when a little
tidbit of information may drop in your lap.
Also, ride around and watch your friends
play – or any regular players at your home
course. I think you’ll find that most of us hit
many more bad shots than good ones, and the
ones who deal with the disappointment the best
generally have the best score. Another benefit
of watching people play your home course is
to see how the ball bounces around in different
spots throughout the course. You may find that
leaving the ball in a certain position either off
the tee or around the green will provide you an
easier way to get a score for that particular hole.
I have recently started fishing with my
father-in-law, and I’m certainly not saying this
has helped my golf game. But it has given me
a better appreciation of game of golf. Fishing
and golf are very much alike I have found as
technique and patience go hand in hand. When
that trout is nibbling on my shrimp but hasn’t
quite taken the entire bait, I want to set that
hook way too soon. At the same time, it’s an
unbelievable challenge to not let that trout take
the bait, and all you have when you reel back
into the boat is your hook. I’m getting better
but have a long way to go as my father in law
Terry Reetz and his sidekick Harry Williamson
love to remind me. They seem to have a little
too much fun taking pleasure in my failure but
are always there to help with advice on how to
get that fish in the boat. Sounds like our golf
friends as well?
I love playing golf and could play it every
day if I had the chance. Despite that love, I do
firmly believe if I ever am lucky enough to be
in a position to play lots of golf on a regular
basis, I will try and follow some of the advice
I’ve mentioned above. It’s good to get away
from the game we love from time to time as
it is a simple way to get that fire to play and
practice burning again. Let’s face it, golf is very
hard and can frustrate even the most laid back
person. I hope you never find yourself in that
position, but if you do, take a step back and try
a different way to get back on track. It just may
be what the doctor ordered.
Jake
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