Expectations Influence Behavior

I came across a really interesting article about how expectations influence behavior. Wow. Now relate that to golf. Double wow.  

What do you expect on an upcoming shot? What would you like to expect? Click here to learn more. 

I also had the immense honor of creating a team to speak at the national Proponent Golf Group in Chicago. Kate Tempesta and Brendon Elliott were two of the young junior golf heavyweights I selected to present to nearly 100 of the top teaching professionals in the country on the importance of having a junior golf program for ages 2-6 at their facilities and in their instructional programs. 

Our speech discussed what adults can expect with age development and how that mixes in with golf, the business impact of such programs to a facility, the childhood development aspect of these programs (emotional, cognitive, mental, physical, social) and the importance of getting the youngsters and families out onto the course.  

Click here to read the article I just released to help parents and grandparents understand their youngster and how to let them more effectively learn golf in a fun environment. Our upcoming Thanksgiving and December holiday events are a perfect time to include young children!  

Click here for more information on upcoming golf programs for ages 2-12, 

Lastly, I was able to finally test the Iconic sun sleeves against the gnats and the verdict is.... GNAT PROTECTION! The sun sleeves are a great way to keep the gnats off the arms, don't require putting any chemicals on your skin and can easily be pulled off when not needed. Deer Creek carries the sun/gnat sleeves for your convenience.

Putting, Putting, Putting

People often spend much more money on a driver fitting (a club that is used 14-18 times per round) or an iron fitting but not many golfers fit their putters, a club used nearly 50% of the time! Just a reminder to have your putter fitted for you based on your height, arms length, putting style, etc.  At The Landings Club, the professional staff at Oakridge can easily help with that fitting -- just call 598-3570!

Also, remember that it takes quite a lot of practice to gain excellent accuracy and distance control skills. While some golfers are blessed with a great touch, even the golf professionals must train their putting skills. The golfers we see on television each week are playing at the top of the leader board that week, so they are making many putts. The ones who are lipping out, missing putts and just not scoring will not be shown on television. Dare I say that many amateurs could relate to seeing their putting stats that week? 

Here is a great way from the PGA Tour website to keep your putting expectations in check -- Strokes Gained Putting Baseline.  Professionals are two-putting 49% of the time from 7 feet 10 inches. Out of four 7'10" putts that day, they will miss two on average. Does that sound familiar?

Learn and train your putting skills. You won't make everything but if you can keep your putting statistics between 30-34 putts for most amateurs that will make for a lower score and a much more enjoyable dinner!