I just began reading Every Shot Must Have a Purpose by Annika Sorenstam's coach Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott, cofounders of GOLF54, rated as the #1 golf school by Golf Magazine.

In the little I've read so far, I've learned that, like me, they don’t believe in prescribing the same stance, grip, and swing to everyone. They believe we are each unique, that golf can be simple, that we all have extraordinary golf within us, that we can become our own most reliable coaches, and their success has proven to them that a great game begins with a great vision.


Golf Stream by swatzo at flickr.com

They share that, "you don't need a new swing, you need a more defined sense of purpose. You have hit good shots with the swing you have." They focus on teaching you how to make those shots more often by improving the way you approach the game. Essential to this approach is the notion that you should only concern yourself with the things that are under your control. Not only should every shot have a purpose, but every action should have a purpose as well. And the purpose of golf is to get the ball in the hole. To get the ball in the hole as efficiently as possible, you must channel your energies only toward those things you can influence, what they refer to as "controllable goals". Your score, winning, bad bounces, and bad weather are not under our control. Keeping your mind centered on the shot at hand, and swinging free of tension, are controllable goals.

The core of their philosophy is that extraordinary golf begins with great vision. Without vision, we tend to set our expectations too low and limit our potential. Our vision must stretch us and expand the beliefs we have about ourselves. Nilsson and Marriott tell us to "imagine the impossible, and then figure out how to make it happen." They suggest as an example, envisioning that we can shoot a birdie on every hole in a single round! You may not be able to achieve a score of 54, but you can stay committed to a process that can make it possible. The commitment to the intention of shooting 54 is the secret.

Whatever you envision for yourself, they urge us to "dare to be as good as we are, believe in the potential of yourself and others, stay open to possibilities, and remember, your past is not your future." Sounds a little like something Fred Shoemaker would say!

For some inspiration in finding your vision and following your dream, make sure to listen to Steve Job's commencement speech at Stanford University, made available here by John Richardson at Scratch to Scratch.

Pia Nilsson, Lynn Marriott, Steve Jobs, and John Richardson have inspired me to step back and rededicate myself to playing extraordinary golf. I've drifted a little lately because I've lost focus on my original vision and goals, resulting in practicing and playing without purpose. Look for that to change!

Labels: Books, Disciplines, Every Shot Must Have a Purpose, Lynn Marriott, Pia Nilsson, Purpose, Vision