What Getting New Golf Clubs Taught Me About an Old Cliché

I hadn’t gotten new golf clubs since I was 20 years old.

During the time of Covid, I began golfing again. Walking the course instead of talking a cart helped me lose over 50 pounds last year but that’s another story.

As I got back into the game, I began to realize my clubs, while perfectly functional, were perhaps a bit outdated.

So, I modernized my equipment and immediately gained 15% more distance and increased control over my shots.

Nothing else changed. I still swing the same way. I don’t swing any harder.

I simply got better tools for what I am trying to accomplish, which is score lower in golf.

Then I had the same experience in disc golf. I had been trying and failing to throw good backhand tee shots. It was going miserably. I wasn’t improving and it wasn’t much fun throwing crap shots over and over again.

After some trial and error, it became apparent that by swapping the backhand technique for a forehand flick technique, I could achieve much greater distance and accuracy.

Simply by changing my technique.

That’s it.

In both examples, the changes I made were elementary in nature.

In the past, I discounted the value of having proper tools and processes, thinking that my own mindset, skills and development were all that really mattered.

I got better tools and I leaned into what I am good at instead of trying to force something I am bad at.

And in doing so, I finally learned the true meaning of working smarter and not harder.

Better late than never.