4 Reasons Why You Suck At Golf, How You Can Play Better 

Let’s face it: as a golfer, you fell in love with one of the hardest sports on the planet. You sure know how to punish yourself during your free time. Don’t worry, I understand. Golf is like a drug; without it, no matter how bad it treats us, we have to have more.

If you suck at golf, you are defiantly not alone. The game is full of happy hacks all around the globe. What’s essential about playing, for most, seems to be the aspects of the game that have zero bearing on the suck factor.

People love golf because it’s a chance to chill with your boys or talk shit about your spouse…I feel ya, ladies! Golf is a chance to get outside, move our bodies after a stressful week in the cubical, and enjoy the grandeur that this game provides us all that tee it up.

But, I get it; you still, regardless of all the great things that golf affords us, still want to know why… oh, why, do you suck so much?

I Know Why You Suck at Golf

As someone who has worked in the golf industry since 1996 and has been a proud PGA member professional since 2009, I have seen a whole lot. One of my favorite pastimes has been just observing people as they play the game. I’ll focus on great players so I can see how to do things the right way, and I’ll watch absolutely awful golfers so I can feel better about my own game. All joking aside, I have long been an observer so that I can have as many tools at my disposal to help anyone looking to enjoy the game more tomorrow than they do today.

So, with almost three decades under my belt working in the game and four plus playing it, I have a pretty good understanding of why people absolutely love golf and why so many of them absolutely suck at it.

Golf is a game that tests every aspect of your being: physically, technically, mentally, and emotionally. This unique combination of demands sets it apart from other sports, making it a truly challenging and rewarding experience all wrapped into one.

If you want to master this game, forget it. You can’t master golf. Not even Tiger Woods has mastered golf. He has dominated it for long stretches of his career, but to say he has mastered it is silly. I mean, look what the game has done to him in recent years. It’s almost as if it is punishing him for getting so close to actually mastering the unmasterable. Golf will always get the last laugh…always.

The bottom line is golf will always win in the end.

You can, however, get better, and I mean really, really better if you want to. To do so, however, you must invest time and patience and have the ability to laugh at yourself, too…and I mean piss your pants laughing.

So here we go; since people like lists when they read, I will present to you a few reasons why people suck so much at golf.

My Top 4 Reasons Why Most Golfers Suck

1) Golf Is A Mental and Emotional Rollercoaster

Golf is as much a mental game as it is physical. Many golfers struggle with the mental aspect of the game, and unrealistic expectations are often the culprit. To overcome this hurdle, players must develop a realistic understanding of their abilities and refrain from attempting overly ambitious shots that they have only succeeded with once or twice in the past.

Consider Sebastian, one of my high school students. He had always possessed the potential to excel in tournament play but had only just recently been able to break through last fall. Our text exchange below reveals him finally grasping the essence of what a solid mental game is under pressure. This text exchange happened after he shot an impressive -4 under-par round and won his first event by several shots. This is proof that a strong mental game can make all the difference.

Text conversation between PGA Coach Brendon Elliott and a student after a recent tournament breakthrough.

2) There Is A Boatload Of Crap To Know

Golf is like trying to solve a Rubik’s cube while blindfolded and riding a unicycle. It’s a challenging sport that demands proficiency in numerous skills. But hey, if you’re up for the challenge and don’t mind looking like a clown, the golf course is the perfect place for you! Below is just a tiny sampling of the skills you need to nail in order to be halfway decent at this game:

• Pre-shot fundamentals: Posture, Grip and Alignment
• Full Swing: Backswing, Transition, Downswing, Impact, Release Finish
• Short Game: Pitching, Bunker, and Chipping
• Putting: Short, Mid-range, Long, or Lag Putting
• Course Strategy and Planning
• And, like a few dozen other things

Golf is like a demanding boss – it wants you to be proficient in numerous skills while challenging you with limited time and short attention spans. But have no fear; with the right mindset and commitment, you can become a competent golfer with the ability to take plenty of cash from your golf buddies who continue to suck.

3) Golf Takes Time to Hit Milestones…A Lot of Time

If you’re looking for a quick and easy sport to master, try throwing darts or something. Golf requires patience, dedication, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation to survive the inevitable frustrations that come with it.

Don’t expect to become the next Tiger Woods overnight, no matter how much you practice or how many lessons you take. It takes time, and by time, I mean months, or more likely, years, to see any real improvement. So, make sure to pack a lunch because you’re going to be here for a while.

If you’re serious about becoming a better golfer, plan on dedicating a couple of years to the game. Play as often as possible, seek out the best resources, and consider working with an instructor. But if you’re like most people, you’ll probably just end up playing with your buddies and drinking beer, which is cool too.

Remember, golf is a lifelong learning experience, and you never stop improving. So, grab your clubs, hit the links, and enjoy the ride!

Check out other articles from me here on AlmostAverageGolf.com: “Pump The Breaks: Tiger Woods Son, Charlie Woods, Has Plenty Of Time“

4) Take A Lesson For Crying Out Loud

Why do golfers avoid taking lessons? Well, one word: money. Or is it two words? Perceived cost. Anyway, private golf lessons can be expensive, especially if you’re just starting out. But fear not! The smarter way to get quality instruction is through group programs and clinics. I mean, you can get lessons for as little as $10 an hour, which is cheaper than a fancy latte! Plus, in that group setting, you’ll have the opportunity to find others who suck at the game, just like you do. And let’s face it, misery loves company.

Now, if you’re one of those golfers who refuses to invest in private lessons, I totally get it. But remember, the cost of lessons can be offset by the benefits that come with improving your skills. Who knows? Maybe one day you’ll even win a tournament and get that big fat check. And then you can say, “Thanks to my coach, I’m rich, biatch!”

Finally, there’s the ego issue. A lot of golfers are too proud to admit that they need help. But let me tell you, even the best golfers in the world have coaches and take lessons to improve their game. So, don’t be afraid to seek help. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of intelligence. After all, as they say, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

To find quality coaching in your area led by PGA of America certified professionals, check out https://www.pga.com/coach 

Final Thoughts

You do not have to be good at golf in order to enjoy it. Hell, you can really, really suck and still be an absolute golf nut. If you desire improvement, however, hopefully, my thoughts above can help you navigate better through the chunks, thins, and shanks and eventually find your way to breaking 90, 80, or even 70. No matter how many golf balls you lose per round today, it is possible.

Oh, last thing, I will soon be opening up limited opportunities to get some quality coaching with me, no matter where in the world you may be shaking your shots out of bounds from.

For one-on-one coaching, my specialty is working with intermediate to advanced young competitive golfers, and through an upcoming partnership with Golf Live, a patented virtual, in-person, real-time lesson platform, I will offer up a limited number of opportunities to have me coach young golfers, ages 13-18, virtually, from anywhere in the world.

Additionally, through this remarkable technology, I will soon offer Live Streaming Clinics for any golfer at any level for as little as $10 per session. To learn more about either of these opportunities, shoot me a DM on my Instagram at @brendonelliottpga or email me here.