Golf Tips from Michelangelo
Michelangelo, the great renaissance artist, not only left an extraordinary collection of art for future generations of the world to appreciate, he also left us golfers a few thoughts to consider while out on the course. This is how great a man he was, golf was not going to be invented for another 300 years, and yet, here he is providing us golf tips.
On having confidence in your swing, Michelangelo said “Faith in oneself is the best and safest course”. While this not only means to have trust in your swing, but also requires knowing your game, and being able to measure the odds for success. How many times have we found ourselves in the rough, buried in some trees, attempting to hit the ball through a 4′ opening in the trees to advance the ball (never mind that we just missed a fairway that was 60 yards wide) when the safer play might have been to take the stroke and just punch the ball out sideways.
On reading greens: “The greater danger for most of us is not in setting our aim to high and falling short, but in setting our aim too low and achieving it.” When a putt is missed by breaking beneath the hole, the professionals refer to it as missing it on the amateur side. This is because most of us amateurs do not play enough break when putting. Michelangelo, in his wisdom, recognized this as a problem golfers would have in the early 1500’s – amazing. Remembering this quote alone could possibly save you 3 strokes per round.
On improving your game: “I am still learning”. If we pay attention, every lesson, every practice session, every round and even every shot is a learning experience. Our biggest problem is that most of us don’t pay close enough attention.
On being in your element: “It is well with me only when I have a chisel (read golf club) in my hand”.
On why we keep coming back for more: “Lord, grant that I may always desire more than I can accomplish”.
Thanks for reading. I hope you have enjoyed this little article. The secrets of success that apply to life also apply to golf (with a little imagination). Similar articles will be published throughout the year.