Seeking the Void

By Brent Morrison with Janie Rome Morrison

In golf, as in life, one of the most difficult concepts for students of all ages to grasp is the undeniable fact that all learning begins with setback, albeit of a temporary nature. Facing adversity is an invaluable part of the learning process; rather than indicating failure, it is evidence that the golfer is making progress.

Golfers experience adversity in a variety of ways:

Situational adversity: This is the feeling of discomfort or intimidation that players may feel, typically in a new situation. Many golfers experience situational adversity when beginning a lesson program (new teacher, different environment) playing in a foursome with significantly more advanced players or when faced with a make-or-break pressure shot on the golf course. Catch yourself before the negative self-talk starts: give yourself a little pep talk, square your shoulders, smile and keep your focus!

Isolated, technical adversity: This is what many golfers experience on a frequent basis out on the golf course. It is the simplest type of adversity to overcome - and not by consigning your golf clubs and taking up bowling! The majority of technical difficulties experienced both on the practice tee and golf course lie in the player's failure to keep the clubface square and the club connected with the body throughout the golf swing. If it is that same shot that gets you every time, the tips from your spouse/neighbor/boss clearly aren't working ... make an appointment with your local CPGA Teaching Professional and get your swing on plane! No excuses.

Routine adversity: Routine adversity can be the toughest type to battle. It is seen where the player has set long-term goals for his or her game and can be addressed by looking at whether the player is undertraining or overtraining. If a golfer is just not working hard enough, there are two choices: train harder or adjust the goals to be congruent what one is wiling to do to make it work. Overtraining is more complex. If the difficulty is related to physical trauma, the golf coach should be assisting the player to adjust his or her short-terms goals based on the recommendations of the player's physician or physiotherapist. Although overtraining setbacks due to injury may be easily identified, routine adversity can frequently be more taxing on the psyche and, since the root may not be immediately obvious, more complex to address. Doug Swanson, a Human Performance program leader at the Brent Morrison Golf Academy, refers to routine adversity as "seeking the void". At this point the player is encouraged to acknowledge that, although he or she is at a low point, this is a temporary state and will be overcome as long as the golfer keeps his or her big picture goal in mind. The golf coach should be working with the student to develop strategies to overcome the block. In some cases, the best strategy may be to take time off completely from golf. This is not to be confused with "giving up"; it is simply a break to allow the golfer to re-establish balance and create mental/emotional distance and objectivity.

Identifying the sources of adversity affecting the game can help the golfer to further understand and move through these blocks. A closing note: it is important to distinguish between adversity and true failure. Adversity is a temporary condition. Absolute failure, by contrast, is a finite state. The real difference between the two is choice. Adversity is not a bad thing; it is an opportunity for each of us to prove our true capabilities. Life, golf, it's all a great game! Keep playing your best.

The Brent Morrison Golf Academy is located at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort, 1025 Qualicum Road, Qualicum Beach, B.C. V9K 1M5. (250) 752-8786. For more information on instruction programs for adults and juniors, contact the Academy office.

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