Great Expectations
Every Golfer will eventually ask this question: "Why can't I hit shots on the course as well as I hit shots at the driving range?".
We all do it; we go to the range and after a few dozen balls, start hitting one perfect shot after another. My Son and I were at the range having a little competition, shooting at a 125 yd pin on a practice green. We were amazing; it was just like throwing lawn darts at the green. He would get close and I'd drop one inside him. We couldn't miss. Yet, later when I went out onto the course, I missed several large greens from 125 yards. Why?
The answer has to be something to do with 'Pressure of the moment", yet, there really is no pressure; we're not playing for any real money. A 50 cent skin isn't pressure. Sure everyone wants to win but the desire to win 50 cents can't be causing so much pressure that I can't hit a ball straight; can it?
I conclude not true; it's not the pressure of the moment, but feel what is really causing the pressure is the pressure to live up to my own expectations. All that practice builds skill, confidence, and yes; Great Expectations to play well and score low. I think the pressure to live up to my own expectations is what dooms my game to failure.
I was talking to a friend about this topic and I recalled to him that the one common thing about every great round I ever played was that the round was, for the most part, completely uneventful. What I mean is that when the round was over and someone said, you shot 73; I was totally surprised; Yes, I know I was playing well, but didn't realize how well until it was over. Shooting the best round of my life was without fanfare and I remembered at the end of the round how I didn't expect to play well that day. I really didn't have time to hit balls before the round, and I approached the game that day as simply a good time, playing with friends; really didn't care what I shot; I had no Great Expectations that day, and the unexpected happened.