Are you playing up to your potential on the golf course? Or are you still playing to the same level you were 3 years ago? A Player is constantly improving their game by using a “Results Based Approach” of having a PLAN to improve. A Monkey continues to stay frustrated with their golf game because they’re continually listening to the advice of other Golfers that struggle. We refer to this as using a “Theories And Assumptions Based Approach”.

Meaning you may have the assumption that if you read enough theories in the golf magazines or listen to the theories of other Golfers that may have more experience than you — that you will improve. Unfortunately these Theories And Assumptions cause more frustration than driving on I-405 (in Los Angeles) during rush hour traffic!

Which approach do you use? A Results Based Approach or a Theories And Assumptions Based Approach? To see if you’re closer to being a Player or closer to being a Monkey — see if you represent any of the examples below.

Before you read each statement below, please repeat the phrase – “You’re a Monkey if you”:

….. go to warm-up at the driving range with just your Driver before playing. What are you thinking? Could you ever imagine Tiger or Annika warming up for a round of golf by just going out there and repeatedly beating their Driver?

….. go to warm-up at the driving range before playing and start off by hitting to a target more than 65-yards away. The number one factor to hitting the golf ball in the direction you want it to go is “Centerness Of Hit”. If you start hitting to a target more than 65-yards away, you’re not working on controlling your golf swing, you’re just swinging and hoping to eventually make solid contact on the next swing. We call that “Hoping Golf”. Golfers that “Hope” are Golfers that struggle. Players that prepare a PLAN for better golf are Golfers that smile!

You’re a Monkey if you:

….. practice your Driver more than you practice your wedges. Sure the Driver is the most important club in golf to hit well if you want to have fun on the golf course. I totally agree with that statement. Though the fastest way to hit your Driver better is to practice your wedges. Why is that?

….. think you’re a good putter because you can 2-putt every hole. If you’re averaging 36-putts per round or more, you’re a poor putter and you’ll never break 90 on a consistent basis unless you’re an excellent ball striker. To become a Player — start to think about it this way- if you have 36 putts, you have to be able to get to all 18 greens in 53 shots or less, that’s less than 3 shots a hole including all penalties. This might not be difficult for a Golfer that regularly plays in the low 80’s, but it may be difficult for someone with an inconsistent Driver to accomplish consistently.

You’re a Monkey if you:

….. have a $300 Driver and a $12 sand wedge.

….. get so charged up about reading the tips in the golf magazines that you can’t wait to get to the driving range to practice 3 or 4 of them. Sometimes all at the same time. And you usually end your practice session by saying – “I think I’m getting worse!”

You’re definitely a Monkey if you:

….. have a $300 Driver and the $30 “KMART Special” as your putter. I don’t believe an explanation is needed here. Or in other words — if you need an explanation of the above, then you probably … well nevermind, I’ll probably write something I’ll regret later.

You’re a Monkey if you:

….. are always trying to “work” the ball – play fades and draws on just about every shot – yet, you don’t break 80, 9 out of 10 times you play. Become consistent at one ball flight before you try to be consistent at two ball flights.

….. say to yourself or your playing partners – “This is the worst I have ever hit the golf ball.” Why does this make you a Monkey? Because this is often announced after only playing 2 holes and these same Golfers say this just about every round they play. If every round you play is the worst you ever hit the ball …. well again, never mind, I’m going to stop right here before I say something that gets me in trouble. Though, do you know anybody that says that same statement often?

You’re a Monkey if you:

….. say that the strongest part of your game is your short game, yet you don’t break 80, 9 out of 10 times. The perfect example – I know a Player that shot 1-under par on a par 72 golf course while only hitting 1 Green in Regulation. And I’ve seen multiple Golfers hit more than 10 Fairways with their Driver in a round of golf and not break 90. If you want to score better than you’re currently scoring, you need a better short game. Or maybe I should say it this way – If the strongest part of your game is your short game and you don’t consistently break 90 – you probably have a really bad long game. Anybody with a really strong short game will break 90 everytime they play golf, regardless of how they hit the golf ball off the tee.

….. hit your first putt 10 feet past the hole, then leave your next putt 2 feet short of the hole and then complain that “these greens are so inconsistent!”

You’re a Monkey if you:

….. once heard someone say that the only way you should play a shot around the green is to get the ball rolling as soon as possible and then you not only adopted this philosophy to your game, but refuse to try anything else. Luckily for Phil Mickelson, he must’ve skipped that class.

….. are trying to decide which would be better for you – A one axis golf swing or a two axis golf swing. Learn to control your golf club by controlling your “Length Of Swing” and “Pace Of Swing” and you’ll hit the golf ball so much better that you’ll start to feel bad for the other Golfers that talk about how they’re working on a one axis or two axis swing.

And you’ll always be a Monkey:

….. if you continue to do all the above things that have most likely contributed to frustration in your golf game. You can’t blame yourself for learning these bad habits. These habits are what you had learned by observing what other Monkeys are doing and saying. It’s only natural to think that this was the way that golf was played. That’s why there are so many frustrated Golfers – Monkee See, Monkey Do!

However, you’re a Player if you ….. say to yourself – “What would the Monkey do?” And then do the exact opposite

Go ahead, Be a Player!

Regards,

Marc Solomon