Article #25
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"Just when you think you've heard it all," Mr. Vaughn said, shaking his head.
"Why, what'd ya hear?" I asked.
"You see that group of young guys goin' down number one?"
"Yeah, that's Raymond Daniels and three of his college buddies," I said. "Four pretty good players
"And, as good as they gonna get," Mr. Vaughn declared. "At least until they get they heads on right."
Apparently, Mr. Vaughn had just overheard a conversation the four men had before teeing off.
"Raymond says he's gonna try out for the big tour just as soon as he straightens out his driver," Mr. Vaughn said. "Says it's the only thing holdin' him back."
"But he already hits his driver as well as anyone out here," I said. "The guy can play!"
"Whether his driver is good or not, it ain't what's holding him back. The big stick, alone, ain't never held nobody back!"
"He still has some time," I said. "He's still young enough."
"But, he ain't smart enough! Lookie here, from what I've seen, there are two types of players who are almost good enough to play professional golf.
"First, there are those who simply don't have the athleticism to make it. They lack eye-hand coordination, balance, strength, agility and all that kinda stuff to ever get much better than about a 1 or 2 handicap. Mind you, these types are few and far between because it is rare that anyone would work hard enough to get that good without any natural skill.
"Then there is the other 99 percent of the almost good enoughs. These are the guys who are athletic enough to get down to scratch level by simply showin' up every day to play. And, they think because they got so good without any sort of structured routine, they'll just keep getting better until they're good enough to play on tour."
"You mean they aren't willing to practice?"
"Oh, they'll practice all right," Mr. Vaughn conceded. "But, they only practice the parts of the game they want to practice, parts that they're already good at.
"Like Mr. Daniels, there. He's been practicing with that driver his whole life, some days for hours on end. Hell, I've seen times at the driving range when a whole crowd gathers just to watch him hit it. He'll do it all day 'cauese it makes him feel real good! Then, he tries to say the driver is the only thing holding him back! And, why? Because he's looking for a reason to keep swingin' it."
"Then, what's holding him back?"
"His misguided work ethic," Mr. Vaughn replied. "I mean, it's obvious he's willing to work, as much time as he spends at the range swingin' that war club. But, hell, that ain't work! That's fun. Makes him feel real good!"
"What should he be working on?"
"The fact is, a person trying to make it as a player hasn't earned the right hit a single drive down the range until they've made 500 putts from four feet away. That's right, at least 500!! Don't shake your head, 'cause that's what great players do every day. Guys like Mr. Daniels thinks he'll get good enough at putting after he gets on tour. I'm afraid it works the other way around."
"So, after 500 putts, then what?"
"Hit 500 wedge shots," Mr. Vaughn said. "Split between chip shots and pitches. And not the ones you're already good at neither! Then, after that, if you still have some energy, you can work on whatever else you want. Then, and only then, have you earned the right to practice whatever kinda stuff you want."
"Wow!!" I said. "That would be…"
"Too damn boring for most folks to even consider!!" Mr. Vaughn said. "But, the good news is that if someone really does work at it like that, if someone really is willing to put their driver down so they can work on the short shots, there is no limit to how good they become."