YOU NEED NOT SEE THE GOLF BALL!

YOU NEED NOT SEE THE GOLF BALL!

Many years ago, I represented a very exclusive country club in New England. When I was in town, it was a pleasure to be associated with a club with such a strong competitive history: members who were past or current National Amateur Champions, US Open Champions, National Blind Golfers' Champions and more! The tale of two blind golfers at that club is further proof of what we can achieve though SEEMINGLY handicapped, and what is involved with a good golf swing where the ball is no longer your target, rather the true target, the ball's eventual resting place.

One of the champions was many times national blind golf champion. He would routinely shoot even par on a tournament tested golf course. He was born without sight. This man had learned to move from the top of his arc, backswing, to the top of his forward swing, finish, in solid balance. Believe me, folks without the benefit of sight are very concerned with maintaining balance. Good balance generally is the feedback we need to validate coordination; and in reverse as well.

The second part of this story is even more enlightening: another man at this club was legally blind. Unfortunately, a pharmacist's error caused him to become totally blind. This poor fellow went from a not so good player when he was partially sighted, to vastly improved without sight! I wonder why?! The answer is: he stopped trying to hit a golf ball and became a swinger of the club from top of back swing to the top of his forward swing, including balance.

So often we see golfers become better through limitations. We're all familiar with the phrase; beware of the sick or injured golfer. Why has that statement become a truism? Golfers who are less anxious, display less overall tension, play better. Ill or injured golfers are not overly consumed with a good shot, they just go through the motions, literally, just getting through the round.

I recall playing a competitive round of golf at one of the longest curses in the world. The day before, I'd had a Tetnus shot! We all know there's no injury from the shot, but on day two it hurts a good bit. Despite knowing nothing was wrong, I obviously swung the club with less gusto!!! I hit the ball longer and staighter than ever, including winning the one day event against some brother golf pros who would usually have the edge on me with the distance demands of the course.

New lesson bookings at The Golf Place are currently paused.