#11. The Space Between: Expectation vs. Reality on the Golf Course

The expectation each time you step on the course is to play your best and shoot more pars than bogeys, right?

Expecting to play your best is the goal; however, your best differs day-to-day based on numerous variables.

A critical mistake I see many golfers make is setting rigid expectations that are incongruent and unrealistic with reality.

The result?

It's a miserable experience of frustration, anger, envy, and poor performance.

In today's episode, I'll help you understand how a large space between expectation and reality may hold you back from shooting lower scores. I'll offer tangible examples to help you clarify a more appropriate, fluid expectation and how to close the gap so you can play better golf.

Start listening.

P.S. I'm getting great feedback on this recent issue of the More Pars Than Bogeys Newsletter, which digs into cultivating the emotional resiliency necessary to shoot more pars than bogeys.

Check it out here.

Key Quotes:

• "It's the space between expectation and reality that is responsible for you remaining stuck in a downward spiral of negative self-talk."
• "Golf is not a game of perfect."
• "Your false expectations are keeping you stuck in a state of anger, frustration, and envy."

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Time Stamps:

• 00:00 Introduction and Newsletter Announcement
• 01:29 Golf as a Mirror of Life
• 04:54 Personal Golf Experience and Setting Expectations
• 08:25 The Gap Between Expectations and Reality
• 14:14 Consistency in Practice and Play
• 21:48 Narrowing the Gap: Staying Motivated and Focused
• 22:40 Conclusion and Call to Action