Golfer Newbies

Yesterday, I was watching Amazing Golf Videos on the golf channel. They had a segment on which they showed all these famous golfers getting frustrated and angry and throwing their clubs, smashing them against trees, pitching them into the water, bending them over their heads, as well as cursing and generally putting on a lousy display. Now, I'm really not a fan of this kind of behavior. The other day I also saw an interview with Tom Watson about Tiger Woods and his predicament. He wasn't so concerned about Tiger's personal life as he was about his angry behavior on the golf course, exhibiting the kinds of activities I just mentioned. I agree with Tom. Here are some of my thoughts on the matter.

1. These kinds of actions make people around you feel uncomfortable. It's just rude and self-centered to do this to the people who are playing with you or have paid good money to see you play.
2. Golf clubs are expensive. There are lots and lots of people out there who would like to have such a nice club as the one you are willing to toss away. It's just privileged behavior to do this – better to give the offending club to your caddy and have him or her donate it somewhere. There are good school programs for high school students learning to play golf that I'm sure would love to have them.
3. Tantrums are very childish and make you look bad. Mature people control these kinds of emotions in public at least.
4. Anger is bad for you and affects your physical health as well as produces stress that gets in the way of your game.

In the book I referred to in a previous post, Every Shot Must Have a Purpose, the authors have an entire chapter addressing this issue. This chapter, called "Anger Makes You Stupid" provides a lot of information about the negative effect anger has on your game, as well as some good advice on how to deal with it.

My advice: get your anger under control. You, and everyone around you, will have a better time on the course.