GOLF

Two years ago at the Texas Open, I saw this young fella sitting in a crowded lunchroom at a table alone.

He looked very young, like a 13 or 14-year-old. I ask him who his father was and he smiled and introduced himself as Joaquin Niemann. We were in the family dining area of this event and I just chuckled.

So, did he.

The purpose for bringing this story up is in my opinion, the greatest, most competent skilled players in the world are extremely young at heart. Their games are driven by young hearts.

Staying young at heart can be easy if you watch young children and new players act and react early in the game. My favorite thing to do is to watch and interview new players in golf.

I especially admire the new children in golf. Their play perspective is beautiful. It’s easy for them to be spontaneous, just react, keep playing and swinging.

Just yesterday, I watched a brand-new player, a young girl about 7 years old, swing at a golf ball 10 or 12 times before making contact.

The fact that she did not make contact was not discouraging to her at all. In fact, if anything it’s seemed to intrigue her with each whiff. By the 10th or 11th attempt, she was smiling. When she did finally hit the ball, she was extremely happy.

Having fun with the effort and attempt to hit the ball is the optimal place for your mind to go.

Too often, we have great expectations with high demands of proper contact. Control ball flight, with exact distance, are demands that cause internal pressure.

This pressure can draw the fun out of playing the game. So, I’m going to suggest simplifying how you look at golf.

Have fun just swinging at the golf ball and smile if you happen to make contact.

If you happen to make solid contact and get the ball in the air then celebrate!

In closing, the lesson today is check your fall schedule and play more golf because the golf courses are in the best shape of the entire year.

If you need a note, just email me and I’ll give you a written excuse to take off work.

Timberlake CC Is launching a new junior academy along with a new GolFitness initiative called Impact Conditioning. Grow Golf Now, Tsunami Bar Sports, along with Angie Duckworth, Fitness Professional, Mike Author, Jimmy Koosa and Chase Butler are all three PGA Professionals and are all collaborating on this brand-new initiative.

Go to growgolfnow.com for more information.

LOCAL GOLF NEWS

Chris Locker of Chapin is competing in the United State Mid-Amateur Championship at Colorado Golf Club in Parker, Colo. and the Common Ground Golf Club in Aurora, Colo. with son, Jay, caddying.

S.C. HIGH SCHOOL GOLF COACHES ASSOCIATION RANKINGS

(Class 5A)

1. Blythewood, 2. Lexington, 3. Boiling Springs,

4. Dorman, 5. Chapin, 6. Wando, 7. Carolina Forest,

8. St. James, 9. J.F. Byrnes,

10. River Bluff

(Class 3A)

1. Oceanside Collegiate,

2. Chesnee, 3. Gilbert, 4. May River, 5. St. Joseph’s, 6. Bishop England, 7. Chapman, 8. Seneca, 9. Powders-ville, 10. Pendleton