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I wrote in a previous article how it was the parents responsibility to find
out what is the best approach to give their children the opportunity to be the
best they can be. Now I am putting the onus on the children to determine their
own fate.
I have worked with many talented youths over the 30 years I have been teaching
this game and they have gone on to achieve many successes over the years. During
this time I have also heard so many excuses and blaming of other people or situations
for poor performances. What I have to say to all you young aspiring golfers
that what happens to you is totally in your hands. It is up to you and you alone
to determine your future. You are responsible for what happens to you.
Are you working as hard as you can on your game? Don’t kid yourself into
thinking that a few minutes of practice are enough. Don’t tell people
that you are going to be good and then don’t do anything about it. Blaming
parents or the weather or course conditions are not helpful. You are going to
have bad bounces, foul weather, bumpy greens etc. It is really how you handle
these things that will make you better. It is the same as life. If you just
hit a bad shot, do you curse or throw your club or hang your head? Get back
in there and recover and you will be on your way to getting better.
I have taught countless lessons where the student has hit a bad shot and reacted
very poorly to the outcome. I do not have a problem with getting upset because
that means they care about what they are doing but if they say things to themselves
that aren’t true they are really hurting themselves. I have seen people
make three putts in a row and then three putt one green and say “ I am
the worst putter in the world”.
Developing the right mindset is tremendously important. Every situation, shot,
tournament etc. is a learning experience. Are you ready to learn? The great
ones like Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Arnold Palmer all had this quality
even after they achieved stardom. They continued to learn throughout their careers.
I have played golf with the great Marcel Dionne and I asked him what he did
that made him better than most. He said he prepared better than anyone. He studied
his opponents and prepared mentally for the battle. Are you preparing yourself?
I am directing this at the athlete, as you are responsible for what happens
to you. Do not blame your parents, the coach, the country you live in or any
other outside agencies. The great Gary Cowan in a recent seminar implied that
if you want something bad enough then you can do anything. Do you have the passion
to reach you full potential? Don’t say you want to be great, do something
about it, as it is what you do that counts. I have read something somewhere
recently that has struck home as to how we should live our lives. We want to
live to have no regrets. We do not want to be later on in life wishing we would
have practiced a little more, gone to sleep a little earlier or whatever you
could have done to make your future better. Is what you doing now the best for
your future? No Regrets.
I am going to leave this with one last thought and I would like all the children
to really think about this. If when you get older and have children, would what
you are doing and the way you are acting right now be okay for your children.
If so then keep on acting and doing the things you are doing. I would be upset
that if when you grow up, you started to tell your children to do the things
your parents are telling you to do even though you are not listening to them.
Would you want your children to act and do the things that you are doing? They
only want the best for you and are usually passing on some great advice that
they have learned the hard way. If you saw that your child had talent in some
area, would you not encourage them to pursue it. Don’t waste your talents.
I would like each child to think about this. You are responsible for what happens
to you and it is never too late to start. No Regrets.
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