Sharing ideas to help golf to be more enjoyable has always been one of the primary targets of this article. 

The last few months, I have spent time on the course and practice tee with brand new players in the game. From 2016 through the end of 2018, I spent much time on the course and practice tee with the greatest players on earth. 

These are two extremes - brand new to ultra skilled - on opposite sides of the skill competency spectrum. My intention over the next few weeks will be to bring out commonalities between these two groups that could assist you with your game. 

The word ‘could’ in the previous sentence is intentional because most people reading this will not believe what is written. 

The one word solution to help every player is every day strive to simplify golf. 

Dustin Johnson and my son, Wesley, are two players I have known for decades and these two individuals are magical at simplifying golf. 

Speaking of Wesley, he graduated from rehabilitation to “return to play” status recently and is progressing nicely. He had a shoulder labrum repair Jan. 16 and now is back on the course. He is swinging at slow speed, but is swinging. 

The facts are his swing is the best it’s ever been. It looks like a fall return to action, but it’s almost impossible to predict how long it will take before the full swing, “game speed feels good” enough is ready for a complete schedule of training, preparation, and practice. 

There are many layers and steps during this process that simply take time and work. What I see is much work and great progress.  

Brand new players truly enjoy the idea of contact with the ball. The best players do to. Brand new players enjoy contact and watching the balls fly. It’s joyous and exhilarating. The best players enjoy exactly the same thing. Brand new players generally show outward expression when they impact the ball , inspiring ball flight. The best players do not and this is where we get tricked. 

As we watch the best players, they do not express themselves as new players. This is a major problem and my objective is to be an interpreter. The reaction to successful contact impact reflects back to one’s philosophy or perspective about the game. 

The average players’ philosophy or perspective is wrong. It’s flawed. It’s not the golf swing. It is the perspective. The perspective of a player is unseen, visually unquantifiable, so it’s not a popular topic for assessment or discussion in our culture. 

To close the lesson, less thoughts equals simplification for many thoughts complicate communication between the mind and body. Great players think about a few simple ideas. One or two when playing, just as new players, but intermediate or even advanced attempt many.  More next week so stay tuned. 

Madison Branum figured out how many thoughts to have and congratulations to this soon to be college sophomore. The Lexington resident won the Columbia women’s city amateur last week.  

Natalie Huff was runner-up while Kathy Cuppia finished third. Pat Rhodes won the City Division while Jean Burns placed second and Deborah Richardson third in the City Division. Nancy Dodge won the Senior division while Elizabeth Madden won the junior division.