| When beginning to play this wonderful and challenging | | | | nice distance and keep it in play on the fairway, much |
| game, men are more likely to try different things, to | | | | to the envy of many a male golfer! |
| explore, to try and work out how it works, to test | | | | Confidence comes from knowing that you know |
| boundaries and see how far they can hit the ball, | | | | what to do and practicing until what you are |
| how hard they can hit it and so on. Women are more | | | | attempting becomes consistent. So practice between |
| likely to seek instruction and guidance, and to do as | | | | lessons, but make sure that its fun - get friends to |
| they are told. Men are more inclined to be | | | | go and practice as well, have a chat and a laugh |
| competitive whilst women see it more as a game, a | | | | along the way. See practice as a game as well, rather |
| great walk, good company, a bit of exercise, etc. | | | | than a chore. Once you've learnt to hit the ball |
| Again, I'm generalizing here, so please do not take | | | | reasonably well, and you feel confident, and you |
| offence. | | | | have a measure of control, then you can start to |
| Thus, in general, the advice I would give to a woman | | | | take a few risks, explore different shots and |
| who is thinking about taking up this game, is to book | | | | challenge your boundaries. Take calculated "risks" in |
| a course of lessons with a good instructor. Don't | | | | your game only when you have the confidence to do |
| listen to that really helpful guy who plays off 18 and | | | | so. Taking unnecessary risks before you feel |
| thinks he knows the answer to every golfing | | | | comfortable with your game is one very good way |
| problem - go to someone who has proven both his | | | | to destroy not only your confidence but your |
| her knowledge of the game and his/her ability to | | | | enjoyment and desire to play this great game. |
| teach. That helpful guy probably does know what | | | | Now...I have really, really generalized. If you are a lady |
| you need to know but he is probably not an expert | | | | who loves a challenge, thrives on risk, and likes to |
| in the art of teaching and passing on his knowledge. | | | | know the nuts and bolts of how everything |
| Make sure you are shown the right things in the right | | | | works...then I'd prescribe a much more adventurous |
| way. And, unless you have an unusually harmonious | | | | and innovative approach to the game. Take a look at |
| relationship with your husband, don't risk your | | | | and consider this approach to coaching. It encourages |
| marriage by getting him to show you how to play | | | | you to learn through self exploration, as opposed to |
| either! | | | | just being told what to do. You will learn to |
| Recognize that genetic programming points to the | | | | understand the complexities of this game, and |
| fact that you are most likely to feel comfortable and | | | | explore, and continually push against boundaries to |
| confident when you are shown what to do and act | | | | create an ever more creative and inspired game of |
| upon this awareness. Golf is a game of confidence - | | | | golf. |
| it either feels right or it doesn't, the club and ball look | | | | Golf is a game, but most people will agree that they |
| and feel right or they don't. When you are confident | | | | enjoy it more when they play better than when their |
| your rhythm is good, your swing is smooth, you are | | | | game is in tatters. So recognize that golf is a game |
| more likely to hit the ball out of the sweet spot and | | | | of confidence, become aware of your own preferred |
| create the shot you desire...and this leads to feelings | | | | learning style and learn from within this basis of |
| of achievement, satisfaction, pride...and ultimately | | | | awareness. In this way you will be comfortable and |
| greater enjoyment of the game, coupled with a | | | | confident and really enjoy your golf. |
| sense of smug satisfaction that you can hit the ball a | | | | |