One of a Kind<\/p>\n
by Michael Riggs and Wes Sime<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s try an experiment with your golf game. Close your eyes, and picture a player you admire who is known for being creative in his shot making.<\/p>\n
Chances are you imagined a publicly recognized player known for carving crafty shots around trees, splashing feather\u2013soft sand shots to short-sided pins, or using the \u201cwrong\u201d club that provides the \u201cright\u201d outcome.<\/p>\n
Did you picture yourself in this scenario? Probably not. But the truth is, we can all be highly creative when we put our minds to it.<\/p>\n
And engaging that \u201csystematic function of innovation with your brain\u201d \u00a0in every aspect of your golf game can significantly increase your success and satisfaction. So consider becoming a highly creative golfer, or at least consider becoming slightly more creative than you are right now.<\/p>\n
Knowing your capabilities and practicing unusual and challenging shots beyond your current skill set enhances your success and makes the game more enjoyable.\u00a0 Let\u2019s say your drive lands pinned next to a tree disallowing you to hit the shot normally. Have you practiced, and are you capable of, swinging the club in the opposite direction to punch it back to the fairway?<\/p>\n
Creativity requires you to strip away preconceptions, look beyond long-held beliefs, venture into what every golfer knows is \u201cimpossible.\u201d Don\u2019t let conventional wisdom discourage you from being creative. If you\u2019ve never seen a shot hit successfully it doesn\u2019t mean it is impossible.\u00a0 Remember, it\u2019s the results that you\u2019re after.<\/p>\n
To achieve extraordinary results with your golf game, you have to do more than think of something different. You have to pay attention to your inspiration for a creative shot and then act on it. Or, as marketing guru Seth Godin says, \u201cNinety-nine percent of the time, the hard part about creativity isn’t coming up with something no one has ever thought of before. The hard part is actually executing the thing you’ve thought of.\u201d<\/p>\n
Build upon your innovative nature by gathering knowledge and insight gleaned from other creative golfers who have achieved the success and satisfaction you envision for yourself. Challenge the status quo by practicing unusual shots to learn what you can and can\u2019t do at this stage of your golf career. Open your mind to the creative possibilities.<\/p>\n
S\u00b2 Tip<\/p>\n
Play your next round without hitting the \u201cexpected\u201d club \u2013 not on one single shot. Yes, that means teeing off with a wedge and putting with your driver, too.<\/p>\n
Success Story<\/p>\n