Golf is one of the only sports that you can play throughout your entire life. From junior golf to senior golf and everything in between, building golf habits for the basis of your game is critical. In this post, I’m sharing some of the core values I believe should be followed throughout your golfing career. These 5 golf habits can be used as a guide to ensure your success in the game of golf!
#1 – Be Realistic To Yourself
First things first, be realistic to yourself. Know your ability, know your potential, and know what you’re willing to put into it. Don’t be down on yourself for not doing things that you really don’t believe you’re capable of doing. We’re not all PGA Pros and that’s okay! Bottom line, be real to yourself. Understand where you’re at with the game of golf and appreciate the good, throw away the bad, and don’t get upset when you think you should be playing a lot better. What you put into this game is what you’re going to get out of it and you have to understand that first and foremost.
This is probably one of the hardest golf habits to stick to.
We all want to be good at golf but try not to compare yourself to others. It will only hurt you in the long run. Stick to your realistic golf goals.
#2 – Always Seek Instruction
You’re not going to get better just doing things on your own, especially as a beginner golfer. It’s important to have another set of eyes to watch and help you with your golf swing, help you with course management, and to help you get better as you go down the road of learning how to play golf. There are so many golfers in the world – and only 15% of golfers take instruction! There should be so much more… there are so many PGA professionals out there ready to help you. By seeking instructions and taking lessons, you will see improvement in your game.
#3 – Golf Course Etiquette
To me, it doesn’t matter if you’re playing in a tournament, going to a public course, a private course, the driving range, a municipal golf course… always treat the golf course well and with respect as if it were your own backyard. Replace your divots, fix your ball marks, treat people at the golf course kindly, and make sure you’re taking care of it. Proper etiquette is so important – especially to the people around you. Not everyone is at the same ability as you. Sometimes it can become overwhelming for others when you’re trying to play fast or slow and it’s not the same as others. Just be aware of who you’re playing with and make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
#4 – Always Encourage Others
If you’re having an off day, sometimes you can bring others in your group down with you with your attitude or the way you are carrying yourself on the golf course. I think that if we encourage others, karma will turn around in a positive way for yourself. Don’t let those bad days get in the way of cheering others on that are having a good round or a good swing. Make sure that you’re always encouraging other people to play well. Recognize good shots or how someone played in a tournament at your club, league, match, or whatever it may be.
#5 – Love The Game
To me, the best golf quote is “love the game and it will love you back”. Don’t take it for granted. This is a game that you can play for the rest of your life. There are so many opportunities that will come from the game of golf – relationships, travel, fun, among many other things.
Thanks for following along on Golf With Luck! Check our our blog for more golf tips and golf fun.
