Let’s just get it out of the way, I’m a control freak. The illusion of control in golf was probably one of the things that drew me to it in the first place. I grew up playing baseball, a sport where so much of what happens is variable, especially when you get to higher levels and pitchers start throwing with spin. Golf, on the other hand, felt like it would be in my control. Sure, the course may be different every round (if you should be so lucky). But the ball, the tee, my stance and (hopefully) my swing are the same every time.

Little did I know how wrong I was. So much of golf, like all sports, is outside of our control. I’ve since learned that playing good golf is about recognizing what you can control, and what you can’t control, and letting go of the things you can’t.

What you can’t control: The big three

1. Where your shot goes. Once your ball leaves the club face, it’s out of your control. You can learn to control almost everything that happens before the ball leaves the club face, but once it’s gone, so is your control. Learn to accept the result and move on. Take a mental break while you walk to wherever your ball ended up, and then do it again.
2. Whether your putt goes in the hole. I know, I grew up watching Tiger Woods, too. It sure seemed like he could control this. But even if he could, you’re not Tiger Woods. Just like in ball striking, you can do a lot to control everything before you hit the putt, but after that, control is even worse. Remember, putting is rolling an imperfectly round ball along a natural, sloped surface that is far from perfect (even though some of them feel that way if you’re lucky enough to play on them). 
3. What your playing partners do. If you play this game long enough, you’ll play with people who talk while you’re hitting, who play loud music, who drink, smoke, curse, and gamble. This game takes all kinds. It’s a beautiful thing. Especially when you learn to appreciate the uniqueness of everyone you play with, and then worry about your own game. Want some tips on how to play with hard partners and stay focused on what you can control? We’ve got you covered. 

What you can control: The big three

1. The decisions you make on the golf course. Check out this article on a method you can use to make good decisions more consistently.
2. Your commitment to each shot. This game is hard enough as it is without you being uncommitted. Go read that article, then practice being fully committed to each and every shot.
3. While you can’t control the outcome of each shot or putt, you can absolutely control how you react to them. I’m not saying you need to be a robot, but I am saying that learning to keep your emotions in check will lower your scores. Period. If you run a little hot under the collar, that’s fine—some of my favorite professional golfers are the same way. But try using the approach I use with the golfers on the local high school team I coach: If you hit a bad shot, get as angry as you want—until you get to your ball for the next shot. After that, let it go, move on, and get ready to hit the next shot.

Practice (almost) makes perfect

It’s true, you can’t control the outcome of every shot. But, if you practice—consistently, and the right way—you can actually do a lot to get closer than you think. “But I don’t have hours upon hours in the day to practice golf like the pros do.” Neither do we. Stay tuned for a series of articles on how to practice effectively while maintaining a real life. More control is coming.