Golf is primarily a game of proximity. The closer you are to the hole, the better your chances of posting a lower score over the long run. As you get farther from the hole, golfers separate themselves more from one another in scoring potential. You could closely match the performance of a tour player from 30 feet with your putter but would never get close to them with a 200-yard approach shot. According to research done by Mark Broadie, ⅔ of scoring differential occurs in the long game (tee shots and approaches) versus the short game (wedge and putting). Proximity plays a massive role in scoring with tee shots, approach shots, and wedge play. No matter what level of golfer you are, being closer to the hole will result in lower scores on average. Therefore, it must be considered when choosing targets and club selection.

Approaching each hole or your entire round with a target score can be counterproductive. It puts you in a results-oriented mindset when you should be more focused on your habits and process on the course. Instead of being the golfer who starts their round thinking they want to shoot a specific score, shift your mindset to being the golfer who will evaluate each situation independently and make an optimal decision. Its much more in depth. LSW and Every Shot Counts don't discuss the mental game or go into as much detail on practice or how to manage expectations. Its from a more balanced, rational and relatable perspective for the average golfer. I hope you can start building more consistent and positive habits on the golf course. In concept, this all sounds very simple. But to this day, despite what I consider a very high grit level, there are still rounds where I have to struggle to stay engaged. And I believe on those days, it’s where you have your best chance to grow your grit and solidify these habits. This is no different than someone trying to establish a fitness routine – the moments you feel tired and lazy are the actual test.I’ll try to be careful as I explore this concept. Whenever I mention words like grit, resiliency, or grinding it out, inevitably, I get the response, “well, that doesn’t sound like much fun!” But it’s all a matter of perspective and commitment level. However, golf might not be as serious as an endeavor for you. Or you might not even have many opportunities to play. I’ll let you make the ultimate decision, but grit might not be relevant or necessary for some. That’s the beauty of golf – there is no right or wrong in your approach. Exploring Grit Golfers tend to use their scores to measure how their day went. Because of the game’s inherent volatility, this can significantly alter enjoyment levels. Scoring ability is a relative concept in golf, but the scoring range is not. Whether you are a PGA Tour pro or a beginner, your scoring can fluctuate tremendously from one day to the next. It’s very normal! When most golfers improve, they typically can tighten their scoring windows and make their poor performances “not as bad.” A lot of golf is about mistake avoidance. Thinking about scoring potential as a bell curve can be helpful. Don’t expect low-probability events on the low side, and try to accept those that occur on the high side.

There are many reasons why “golf grit” is harder to develop. It’s much easier for some to give up when you become embarrassed and your ego is damaged. I know that was the case for me.the idea of becoming competent at using driver off the tee. Stats don't lie - proximity to the hole after your tee shot has a very marked correlation to score. Practicing getting good at driving the ball is likely to have the biggest impact on your game.