Why can’t I golf every day?

#golfeverydayinapril

Talk is cheap, action speaks louder than words.

The Why

In April 2018, our family moved into the community we had set our sights on.? We had been eyeing this community for years for several reasons; it is in a safe gated community, accessible to anywhere in San Diego, 2 miles to the beach, with amazing amenities- pool, tennis courts, parks, and a playground.? Yet, the main reason I wanted to be here was the 9 hole golf course!??

After living here for 3 years, I would throw around the word, “should” a lot. I “should” play more golf, BUT, I don’t have the time, or I need to help with the kids, or I have to work. As a result, I went out when I could “fit it in,” which was only a few times a month.?

Then the COVID lockdown hits in March 2020.? A positive outcome of this terrible virus was the ability to work fully remote, saving time without a commute to the office.? It also had me take a step back as to what is important and what changes I would consider when I can go out without thinking of spreading and catching COVID.?

I analyzed my routine. I spent most mornings working out, eating, getting kids ready for the day, and then starting to work.? Why couldn’t I just shift priorities and make my “should” a reality?

The Plan

Reflecting on my personal and work life, anything that I want to actually pursue, I plan time to do it and commit actions to make it happen.

My first action was to adjust my mindset and story by creating a life where golf is a priority. I announced to friends and family of my plan to play everyday in April so it became real and I was more accountable as they would ask how it was going.

Second, to form a habit it is always best to set a daily routine for at least 21 days. From this the idea to play golf every day for the month of April was born.? It was a SMART goal.??

• Specific - Play a round of golf daily.??
• Measurable - There was a scorecard to track my days and scores.
• Achievable - It was close to home, not a huge time commitment and we had no travel plans that month.
• Realistic - It wasn’t unrealistic like playing daily for one year.
• Timely - It was a goal that was daily, and for 30 days. Play anytime that day.

The first thing I did was open my calendar for the week.? When will “I choose” to golf?? Everything in life is a choice.? There is an opportunity cost of doing one thing over another and that is why I hate excuses.? Instead of excuses, we should all be candid, whether in work or life and admit when we do not meet expectations.? For example, I did not hit x deadline or sales target as I chose to do x instead of doing the work.

I chose mornings as my main golf time.? In the past, I would have said that cuts into my work day, I won’t have time for getting everything done.? Then I realized I might do some work at 6am and some at 9pm. I set my work schedule and when I choose to work, so the 8-5pm onsite mindset is no longer an excuse.??

I did a trial run first on a weekend to see how long it would take me to play 9 holes: just 45 minutes, that was all it took to play.?

What did I give up?? The prior month I had been on a Peloton challenge. I was spinning 4-5 days a week and working out the other days. I cut that to 2 days a week, once during the week and once on weekend.? I also calendared weights over lunch 2-3 days a week versus the 30-45 minute morning classes. Opportunity cost, I had to give up something to do something else. That being said, if spinning 5 days a week was a priority as well, I would have fit it in at night or got up earlier, but I chose to do it less.

I blocked off the times in my and my wife’s calendar so we had kid coverage, a prior excuse for not doing it more often. It was calendared with a reminder and I had it planned at a time that would work.

The Emotions

One week leading up to the start of April, my excitement was high, a little apprehensive about altering my schedule, asking myself, can I really do this every day and make this work?

Day 1 - Great feeling to be out early, first on the course and enjoying the round.

Day 5 - Started to get competitive with myself and in addition to keeping score, tracked how many greens I hit and lost balls in each round.??

Day 15 -? I was able to walk the course effortlessly. In the prior two weeks, I had to drink half a gallon of water to keep hydrated. My mindset was different though. The excitement had worn off and the competitive nature kicked it. I became a bit frustrated when I missed a shot that I had made the day before. I put more pressure on myself to perform.? I thought, I have been playing every day, shouldn’t I be improving?? I took stock of the reality of the situation. I was only taking 9 tee shots in a round and I wasn’t going to the range to practice.? So, I added in going to the driving range on weekends, bought a warm up club to help me get my swing in check, and watched more golf videos. My score had on average lowered, but there were some days where my swing was off and I was overthinking every shot. I had hit a plateau and I needed to make changes to improve.?

Day 21 - Similar to the second week, but now I was hitting a lot more greens. My short game and putting were on fire and I was able to make a lot more birdies.? My mental game was improving, I was visualizing shots going in and more confident on my strokes. I had a defined pre-shot routine ironed out. I focused on controlling my breathing to chill any nerves.

Day 30 - The final week. I had weathered through some rain and cold mornings (very unlike San Diego) yet I was committed to play every day, rain or shine. It was not only a check mark on a list of something I wanted to do, it was the essence of setting a goal and achieving it. During the month it also inspired me in other areas of life, personal and at work.? Dive in head first for what excites me, have a plan and stick to it.?

The Accountability

I shared my commitment of playing every day with anyone I spoke to prior to April 1st.?

I used social media to be accountable. I was a late adopter to Instagram, probably had 2 posts before and rarely checked it. I decided to do a daily post after each round to have a record of me playing, not only for myself but for my network.? The positive responses and likes were helpful and inspired me to share more.

The Tracking?

The first 5 days, I didn’t use a scorecard as I often just played for fun and kept track in my head.? After a few days, I realized this is a great opportunity to see how I am progressing.? I became religious about using a scorecard and I also tagged if I hit a green or if I lost a ball.?

The Future?

As I write this a few weeks after the 30 days challenge, I have chosen to play 2-3 days a week and align other workouts in the mornings and lunches.? So far, it has been working out great. Excited to see what next goal I apply this approach to! .

If you talk about it, it's a dream, if you envision it, it's possible, but if you schedule it, it's real. - Tony Robbins

?Written by: Jared Sanderson