Mr. Miyagi Knows Best
Mr. Miyagi Knows Best
Yesterday after another typical round of golf that had some good and some bad, I found myself trying to figure out why golf is so simple and so hard at the same time. It even got me thinking about the broader connections that playing golf has to creative learning and life in general.
First of all, I’m a better than average golfer but I lack consistency. I can break 80 once in awhile but I can also shoot 90. Why such a discrepancy? Part of it comes down to practice…very simply: building muscle memory requires repetitive practice and allowing your active brain to get out of the way.
Ah, “Active Brain.” I am cursed with an active brain. Yes it serves me well when it comes to thinking creatively and solving problems but sometimes the task of playing golf is different. The best players feel their shots and minimize excessive thoughts. “Wax on / wax off.” Ya know what I mean? (watch this classic—less than three minutes)
That’s one of the beautiful things about making art and creative learning. And golf. When you get into the flow and develop a rhythm it just happens. You breath easier, your large and small muscles get in alignment and the result is something beautiful. But, it takes practice. It requires you to be patient. You have to want to fight through the frustration of learning and if you do the payoff is great.
Wax on / wax off.
Monday, April 29, 2013