| Why is consistency so important in golf? | | | | end up in a hook or slice from your body becoming |
| Achieving a level of consistency in your game is a | | | | tense and stressed, which is going to add to your |
| great advantage in golf. If you can achieve a certain | | | | score rather than erase the stroke that got you |
| level of stability, you will have a better grasp of | | | | there in the first place. Of course there are times |
| which actions produce certain results, and | | | | during your game where you can take risks; this is |
| subsequently will make better competitive decisions | | | | how you learn what works and what doesn't. But if |
| throughout your game. Playing with consistency | | | | you can reserve the fancy shots for situations that |
| involves using tried and true techniques during your | | | | are within your comfort zone, and use your reliable |
| game to achieve a desired outcome on a regular | | | | ones for your pressure situations you will play with |
| basis. It also involves being able to identify situations | | | | much more consistency. Harvey Penick once said, |
| that you should play with caution and take the safe | | | | "Learn one basic shot that you can hit under pressure |
| route, rather than take chances. | | | | and stick with it. If you have a good basic shot, you |
| Do you have one or two "safe" shots you can use in | | | | will rarely ever have to hit a fancy one." If you can |
| difficult situations? | | | | hit a shot that you are comfortable with in an |
| One way of achieving consistency in the game | | | | uncomfortable situation, you're much more likely to |
| involves having a couple of reliable shots to use | | | | come out of it with fewer strokes in the aftermath. |
| during challenging situations. Relying on some well | | | | Tips |
| rehearsed "emergency" shots can offer comfort | | | | 1. Avoid attempting to "overshoot" or "over-try" your |
| where you would normally experience feelings of | | | | shot to keep up with your playing partner. |
| anxiety. When faced with a challenge, such as playing | | | | Over-trying a shot causes tension in the body, which |
| from the trees or a bunker, it is common to try to | | | | is the perfect formula for a poor swing. |
| overshoot or to attempt a fancy shot to avoid the | | | | 2. Learn one or two basic shots that you can use to |
| extra stroke incurred from the hazard. Instead of | | | | emerge from difficult situations. |
| attempting to overshoot from a bad lie, it is advisable | | | | 3. Play for yourself by making calculated, |
| to play a safe shot that will place your ball in a better | | | | strategy-related decisions rather than emotional ones. |
| position for your next hit. Over-trying your shot can | | | | |