Everyone is familiar with the saying “practice makes perfect,” which especially rings true for the game of golf. In addition to practicing, it is important to have the mindset to continuously look for new ways to challenge yourself. Because, without challenging yourself, you will never know just how far you can go and how much you can accomplish.
This can apply to golfers of any age – no matter how old you are, or how much experience you have with the game, there are always new ways to try and challenge yourself to reach new levels. Here are three reasons why challenging yourself is so important:
Reason #1
It will show your resilience. Becoming resilient on the course is key to being the best player you can be. If you know that you did not perform to the best of your ability, you must get back on your feet, allow yourself to digest any constructive criticism you need to move forward, and work to be better. Resiliency is a great skill to have in all aspects of life as well, but, from an athletic standpoint, it will truly help you to grow as a player. Keep reminding yourself that every failure comes with new lessons.
Reason #2
You will learn to hold yourself accountable. Go into each game with specific goals for yourself that you know will be realistic to achieve. If you make these notes, whether you decide to share them with others or write them down personally, you are holding yourself accountable to try and reach these goals. With this, you can also track your progress so you can see how quickly you are improving over time.
Reason #3
Don’t be afraid to take risks, according to Carter White, our Director of Sports and Golf Operations:
“We grow when we take risks. Hitting a difficult shot or just attempting one that doesn’t particularly suit your game allows you to test your ability, pinpoint areas where you can improve and maybe even realize that you can pull it off. If your goal is to improve, you need to at least attempt a couple of riskier shots every time you play. Take note of when you succeed and when you don’t and then you’ll know what to work on during your next practice session.”
Overall, challenging yourself on the course will not always be easy, however, it will be worth it! Know that each baby step and small bit of progress will help to ultimately get you to where you need to be. Looking to push yourself to the next level? Owl’s Nest has an outstanding team that can help you to achieve your goals. Learn more about how to book a lesson here.