It’s a different name for golf lessons so let’s first break down Art and what it means when referring to golf.
“Art” can be stated as “the skill or ability to do something well”…or…”to be able to do something very skillfully.” All sports, including golf take some kind of athletic ability to perform. The “Art” is Your own expression of Your abilities to Create a shot. You’re probably not a PGA Tour Player, but we all have the ability within us to Create & Perform with amazing talent at times. And we all have the ability to look as though we’ve never even touched a club in our life.
This brings us to the next key…”Creative”…or to…”Create.” Creative can be stated as “making imaginative use of the limited resources available”…or…Create “to bring something into existence”. Wow!!…you mean if our mind can Create it we can Perform it through the “Art” of a golf swing? EXACTLY!! The Creative power within us consistently attunes us to the thing that has our attention. Out of bounds is on the right??…or is there a spacious fairway awaiting a tee shot?? Is there a BIG, DEEP, audacious green side bunker with a pin tucked right behind it??…or beautifully manicured grass ready to accept your shot?? You must learn to be thankful for each shot that confronts you. Without this gratitude you cannot keep from dissatisfied thought regarding the challenges you must face. And, with gratitude, you may stay in harmony with Creative thought which will prevent you from falling into Competitive thought. When you start to Compete with everything and everyone else you become inferior and loose your ability to be Grounded…or in other words ”having a secure feeling of being in touch with reality and personal feelings”. These, you must have to perform at your very own Best!!
Let me share a little story about Creating. In 1997 I had the privilege to give golf lessons at a corporate tent at The International @ Castle Pines. As part of my commitment I was asked to caddie on the Wednesday prior to the tournament which is the Pro-Am. The PGA Tour Player for our group was Mark O’meara, who the following year won both the prestigious “Masters” and “British Open”. We were on the 14th hole which is about a 550 yard par 5. Mark had hit about a 300 yard drive sitting perfectly in the fairway which helped him to decide to go for the green in two shots. Much to mine and everyone’s disbelief he cold topped his 3 wood which went about 50-60 yards. Unbelievable right? A typical amateur would have been so embarrassed and would have totally given up on Creating the next shot. Not Mark…he gathered his thoughts. His caddie and he decided on all the factors for Creating his next shot…and he hit an incredible 4 iron about 3 feet from the hole and with that made his birdie putt. The truth here lies in the fact that he stayed Grounded…he allowed himself to perform to the best of his ability by not allowing any negative thoughts to enter into what he had to do. YOU too can learn how to take what looks like adversity and make what YOU want your REALITY!!