Embracing the Imperfect Game - Lessons from a Green Jacket Wearer

As you'll know if you've been following my story, my golfing adventure took an unexpected turn due to my wrist injury (you can catch the full story here), leading me down the path of one-handed golf. It's certainly been an eye-opening experience, especially when it comes to the mental side of the game.

Speaking of the mental game at the highest level, who watched Rory McIlroy finally capture that elusive career grand slam at the Masters last week? What a dramatic tournament! Rory was quoted as saying he was "unbelievably nervous this morning … really nervous on the first hole". Incredibly, he even had four double bogeys during the week, yet he still managed to triumph after a play-off. As one report noted, "Rory did his best to lose it once, twice, three times … but always came back swinging". This resilience, this ability to bounce back despite setbacks, is a hallmark of champions.

It’s well-known that even the best golfers grapple with the mental aspects of the game. Rory himself acknowledged the burden of the career grand slam since August 2014. It's interesting to consider the role of mental coaching in such high-pressure situations. Many top athletes, including golfers, work with mental performance coaches. One such renowned figure in golf psychology, and Rory's performane coach, is Bob Rotella.

Rotella's insights into the mental game are highly regarded. In an interview following Rory's triumph, he gave some hints about his approach to helping Rory tame his demons... "We begin with the idea that golf, by design, is a game of mistakes, and if you love golf, you have to love the mistakes," he said. "You have to remind them that other players are playing the same game, and they will also all make mistakes. The second part is understanding that you are a human being, you're going to make mistakes. Human beings have a free will, and that means we get to choose how we think and respond to all the crazy things that happen to us on the golf course and in life".

This quote from Rotella deeply resonates with my own experiences on the course as a one-handed golfer. From those early, somewhat comical, attempts at the driving range, to the challenges of navigating a full 18 holes with a significantly altered swing, mistakes are not just inevitable – they're part of the learning process. When your swing is as "unconventional" as mine, there are certainly more opportunities for things to go awry!

Another famous golfing quote!

Rory had much more on the line than me, but no doubt like a lot of golfers, I felt some empathy with his situation. I faced a mental hurdle when my wrist injury meant I had to adapt or give up the game I love. Choosing to play one-handed was a conscious decision to embrace the challenge, to "play the ball where it lies," as Bobby Jones famously said. There's a certain freedom in accepting that my one-handed game won't be the same as my two-handed game. It's about managing expectations, focusing on the small victories – like a cleanly struck shot or a well-executed chip – and, as Rotella suggests, choosing how to respond when things don't go according to plan.

Even when I decided to enter a competition as a one-hander, there was a significant mental element involved. Doubt could easily creep in, but the determination to compete and see what was possible ultimately prevailed. Rory's ability to come back after finding Rae's Creek or making double bogeys inspires me to shake off a poor shot with one arm and focus on the next.

Shot of the year?

Perhaps the journey of adapting to one-handed golf is, in its own way, building a different kind of mental fortitude. Facing a continuous, inherent challenge can sharpen your focus and appreciation for even the smallest successes. And like Rory experiencing pent-up emotion upon finally achieving his goal, there's a unique satisfaction in overcoming obstacles on the course, no matter the scale.

So, whether you're battling for a Green Jacket or simply trying to enjoy a round with your own set of challenges, remember Rory's journey and the wisdom of Bob Rotella: golf is a game of mistakes, and our ability to respond mentally is what truly defines our experience. What mental battles do you face on the course? Share your stories in the comments below! And don't forget to subscribe for more updates on my one-armed golfing adventure!