“You’re ready.”- one of my coaches
You had a big day last week, didn’t you?
Every day is a big day, but yes, last Tuesday was especially big.
Catch everyone up to speed.
In a nutshell, I took a nine hour, 36 hole playing test in New Orleans where I had to shoot a target score. I missed fully passing by 0.6 of a stroke. I did partially pass, so I am currently in the process of registering so that I can play in my first professional tournament in early December.
0.6? Wow, that’s brutal.
I choked, with my only double bogey of the day on my 36th hole. It happens.
It happens?
I was a 14 handicap golfer two and a half years ago. I didn’t know how to hold the club correctly. What I have done is wildly improbable. My lack of experience still wins out sometimes. It happens.
How do you overcome lack of experience?
Get in the game and jump in the fire. I’ve said it and done it virtually every day for four and a half years. If you are afraid of something, look it in the eyes and overcome it. Or you will never be free.
You talk about freedom a lot?
That’s what human beings crave, I think. We just camouflage it with other words. This whole abk journey is based on freedom.
Have you found it?
85%.
Care to elaborate?
There’s always more work to be done.
Sounds like the opposite of freedom.
Not if you enjoy what you are doing every single day and keep getting better and better and better.
What does freedom have to do with last Tuesday?
Nerves still own me in pressure-packed situations on the course. I was as cool as a cucumber for 7+ hours. Then my heart started beating and my hands started sweating.
How do you fix that?
Jump back in the fire. With enough reps, I’ll get it under control. I mean, where I am today vs where I started is absolutely absurd. Like I said, wildly improbable.
Do you consider Tuesday a failure or a success?
Both. I didn’t fully pass, but damn if I didn’t surprise myself and my coaches. I played incredibly for 7+ straight hours in the howling wind. Just didn’t finish the job. But I will soon enough.
You started with a quote above, “You’re ready.”
I’ve been grinding for two and a half years now at the game of golf, and though I have gotten miles better, I haven’t really achieved anything. In fact, I’ve lost and failed a ton. That messes with your head a little. Tuesday, even though I limped in, I proved something big to myself. The best players have confidence and belief in droves, and I’ve started to turn a corner there.
Self-confidence and self-belief?
Two of the most important things in golf and life.
And freedom?
Probably 1A. And not the freedom to play golf every day, the freedom to travel, or whatever you want to do with your life. I’m talking about the freedom to play golf every day, the freedom to travel, or whatever you want to do with your life having successfully battled your fears, insecurities, and anxieties. Simply playing in the event Tuesday was my 85%. The double bogey on the 36th hole just proves there’s more work to be done.
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Have a great week.-Benj
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anything but khakis 
You continue to amaze me. Everything is about your love? determination about? golf. But it always seems to turn around and encompass and reflect everyday life. Anyways…thank you for make me thinking.
jan
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