Monday Morning Match is a quick post – maybe a quote, inspirational story or idea – intended to spark some motivation inside each of you so your week gets off to a fantastic start on Monday morning.
Looking Ahead
I spent Sunday afternoon with my daughter and her high school golf team. We were preparing for their upcoming sectional tournament that will be played on Tuesday. The top three teams will advance to districts and be one step away from the state championship tournament. This practice session was going to be used to get all the girls comfortable with the challenging course under relaxed conditions so when they arrive for the round later this week they will have some good ideas of what to do on each hole.
All of the girls had their fathers there with them. Some were just walking along for support and assistance while others played alongside their daughters. The coach had instructed us all to take good notes about each hole such as aiming points, hazards and anything else that might help the girls when the pressure was on. The girls had the chance to hit additional shots from various places and chip and putt extra shots to get acclimated to the speed and contours of the greens.
Seeing the Shots Before They Happen
It was a great afternoon for dads to spend time with their daughters away from schoolwork, NFL football games and the final round of The Ryder Cup but make no mistake about it; this wasn’t an Indian Princess retreat. This was serious work to get the girls in a good position to play well and advance. Anytime as an athlete that you can get a chance to experience something close to what you will during competition, you are increasing your chances of executing at your best when it counts.
By seeing the entire course with an extra set of eyes, the girls now know where NOT to hit the ball. Instead, they can focus on hitting to the right spots that will give them the best chance to shoot a low score. Golf is about minimizing mistakes and maximizing opportunities. Each player now has a notebook of ideas, suggestions and reminders to refer back to and “see the shots” they want before they hit them.
It’s About Execution
Golf isn’t played in your mind nor on the driving range or practice putting green before the 1st hole. It’s an individual golfer’s ability to take their “plan” and then execute it one shot at a time. When the shots go where they are supposed to, put the club back in your bag and start 
thinking about the next shot. And if the shots are offline or not what you were expecting, you need to take a deep breath, put that club away, walk slowly to your next shot and get back on track. Consult your notes, gather your yardage and then take a few practice swings – with each one, visualizing the ball flying the direction and distance you need.
Are You Ready for Your Tee Time?
What are you envisioning about your week ahead? Where are your scoring opportunities and what are the potential hazards you will face?
Will you secure appointments from your phone calls, social networking efforts, internet lead follow-ups or casual networking efforts? Have you researched the inventory to select the best listings to show your buyers or better understand the value of comps for your next listing appointment? When that client from a few years ago calls out of the blue, will you remember their name and some personal information the way a golfer can remember the club they hit on a great shot years before?
What are you trying to shoot this week? 3 new listings? 2 buyer contracts? 4 referrals?
You’re a good player. You’ve seen this course before many times. The hazards aren’t in play for you. It’s just the centers of the fairways and middle of the greens that await your next shot. Step up and see the shot you want to hit in your head…then swing away.
Build relationships. Solve problems. Have fun.
Nice shot!
Of course, when all else fails, you could always follow the lesson’s of Caddyshack’s Ty Webb and just “let things happen and be the ball.” (Click here if no video below)