__________________ Reverse every natural instinct and do the opposite of what you are inclined to do, and you will probably come very close to having a perfect golf swing.
I would first like to say thanks to Lynn and everyone on the site for their continuous support and kind words during what I can only describe as a "wonderful dream fulfilled". Although I am not like John or Brian grinding it out every week on the Tours, I managed to achieve some personal goals this season that I was excited to share with everyone.
It is kind of funny that I was digging through some old notes from the end of last season and found a page of goals that I had scribbled down for 2007. I had actually accomplished all but one of my goals, and that was to qualify for the US Open. Luckily I did not qualify because it would not have allowed me to play in The Atlanta Open which I did pretty well in. It just goes to show that when you commit your goals to paper they sometimes stick. They main goals for this season were to finish in the top 10 at the Winter Stroke Play Championship (I finished 3rd), qualify for and make the cut in the Nationwide event ( I did with an opening round 68 ), win either the State Open or the Section Championship (I won the State Open), and win at least one other Section event (I won the Griffin classic and was low pro at the Atlanta Open).
I figured if I did these I would win Player of the Year, which I did. I also wanted to win the Gregg Wolff award for the lowest stroke average, which I also did with an average of 70.54 (almost 3 full shots per round better than last year). The major goal was to qualify for the 2008 PGA National Championship to be held at Reynolds Plantation which I did this past Monday and Tuesday at Athens CC. Although I did not win, I secured my spot by finishing 7th which in a qualifier is all I really want to do.
I have had many people ask what has made the biggest difference this year as opposed to past years and I would like to share this with everyone. Quite simply it is trusting the 3 imperatives and 3 essentials while executing every shot. I have a pattern that has been working well for ME, that may not work well for YOU, but that does not matter. I have truly found a MY WAY approach to play that was successful. There were many times this season that I was not hitting it very solid and was able to find my way back through lag pressure and compression. Trust me, by just trying to find proper compression I was able to make solid changes.
The other part of my game that was much improved was my short game and putting. I learned that I have a very good stroke and mechanics around the green, I only had to trust them and rely on distance control to make them work. As Lynn once said, "there is learning to tie your shoes and then there is just tying your shoes." I think I just started tying my shoes.
I am not satisfied with my place in golf, just as many of you are not. This game is truly remarkable in that no matter how good you get, the game is always better than the player. In fact, no matter how good you think you have become, there is at least one person better, except maybe in Tiger's case. I will glow in the satisfaction of a job well done for this season, then really start preparing for 2008. You see, this season's success will pave the way for bigger goals and achievements for next year. Bigger goals mean harder work and better focus. Follow the Boy Scout motto of "always be prepared" and you will never be surprised.
Thanks again for all of the support and I look foward to a great 08!
As per all of the comments prior to your post----phenomenal! Can't wait to see what you do next season. It's fun hearing how well you do in these events. Hope you don't mind if several thousand of your "friends" here live vicariously through you! Keep doin' it!
Jeff Hull -- A Study in Character and Championship Golf
Originally Posted by golfgnome
...no matter how good you get, the game is always better than the player.
Thanks, Jeff, for your great post and allowing us an insight into what it takes to perform at a true championship level. Thanks, too, for this essence of The Game:
"...no matter how good you get, the game is always better than the player."
In my years, I have seen many a 'phenom' come and go, often spinning to earth in a maelstrom of his or her conceit and limited perspective. Acknowledging Percy Boomer in his landmark text, On Learning Golf, the best player in a club can usually be found among the humblest folk in the caddy yard.
Jeff says: "I am not satisfied with my place in golf, just as many of you are not."
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