It's well documented that Tiger Woods' father, Earl, had a tremendous impact on his game, but one of his most iconic traits comes courtesy of his mother, Kultida. According to Tiger, "“I wear red on Sundays because my mom thinks that is my power color. And you know, you should always listen to your mom.” With Mother's Day coming up, what better time to take a page out of the GOAT's book and reflect on the times your mom gave you advice (consciously or not) about your golf game:
...and she was right. Much like your mother, your playing partners can have a keen sense of when they're being deceived. It's pretty simple: don't lie about your score or cheat out on the course unless you don't want to get invited back out again.
You've probably heard this phrase after dealing with the consequences of a dumb decision, and it sounds awfully similar to one of the basic tenets of golf: "play the ball as it lies". You've got to live with the decisions and shots you make on the course, no matter how poor the result. But it's also worth noting this doesn't always have to be taken negatively. It's easy to start the mental spiral when your game isn't in the shape you'd like, so make sure to give yourself credit for the good ones too.
There are times to play around the penalty area, not go right at the sucker pin, or lay up off the tee, and then there are times to just send it. Learn the difference and your scores will thank you.
The golf courses is your home away from home; treat it as such. Pick up your trash, fix your divots, rake the bunkers, and generally respect the course. Golf courses are doing their best to stay green, but they can't do it without your help.
Golf fashion has come a long way since the days of Walter Hagen and Ben Hogan, but there still should be a sense of decorum out on the course. I'm all for expressing yourself and making a statement with your attire, but leave the tank tops and sandals at the beach.
One of my favorite things about golf is that each course and each round is truly unique. Don't get stuck in a golf rut: go play a new course, go try out a new shot, go play a round with someone you've never played with before. There's an endless number of golf experiences to be had.
In golf, just as in life, it's easy to start playing the comparison game. Stop worrying about how far someone hits the ball, or how nice their clubs are, or how low their score is, and just focus on playing YOUR game. That's one of the reasons that makes the Handicap Index great: at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how well you play against your own potential.
Making friends seemed easy as a kid, but as an adult? Not so much. Fortunately, I've found golf is one of the easiest things for people to bond over. Whether you're tired of playing alone or looking to expand your golf network, there's no place like (your new golf) home.
Your mom is always your biggest fan. She always believes in you and will support you even after you shoot 110. To be successful at golf or to even just enjoy it, you have to believe in yourself and stay positive. You got this.
