New golfers feel compelled to hit the ball farther and straighter than their skill will allow.  Most can't hear that it takes time  to master golf.

Swinging like there's no tomorrow traps new players between a golfing rock and a hard place.  "I don’t expect to play like Tiger Woods," a students will confess. "But, I do expect results." 

Why are players in such a hurry?  Many develop unrealistic expectations from watching golf on TV.  They are inspired by the pros who make it look 'so easy'.  But TV golf is not real golf.  It's easy to swoon over  effortless swings we see.  But playing like the pros is like winning the lottery:  Millions try, but few hit the jackpot.  

So why play the game when statistics show that only 10 percent who play will ever break 100?  

Golf should come with warning label: ‘Harmful to your ego.’    

I sometimes ask a student back from a practice session at the range; "How did it go?"

"Not great," they answer, dejectedly.

"In baseball, a 300 batting average gets you in the Hall Of  Fame.  Think baseball when you practice.  Hit three good shots out of ten, and you're in the new golfer hall of fame.  Concentrate on your swing, not  the ball.  

Even the pros admit that they seldom hit the perfect shot.  Golf is about managing failure, getting more from less.  A little technique and a lot of patience is what it takes to play good enough golf.  It's only by playing within ourselves that the true wonder of golf is revealed to us.