On a morning when you arrive early, golf becomes a little easier

A single sigh toward the still-dark sky

Through a gap in the curtains, the ultramarine sky peeks through.

A morning when I wake up for some reason a few minutes before the alarm goes off. "...Golf today, huh. It's still dark."

I let out a small sigh, but still kick off the covers and get up.

Even though I'm sleepy, for some reason, I don't feel bad.

Driving along the quiet roads, I watch the pre-dawn sky slowly change color. By the time I reach the golf course, the eastern sky is faintly brightening.

The parking lot is still half empty, and I unload my bag from the trunk in the cold morning air.

The clubhouse is quiet, and there is no need to rush.

I go outside and lightly roll some putts on the practice green.

Clink... clink...

Just listening to that sound, I feel like something inside my heart is gently unraveling.

That sigh is proof that you love golf

There's a unique atmosphere before you start, isn't there?

"What if I whiff it?" "Will I be a nuisance if I slice it right away?"

I find myself thinking things like that.

I think anyone who plays golf has felt that way at least once.

I have over 30 years of golf experience. I have also been teaching lessons as an instructor for about 15 years.

But to be honest, my legs still shake a little during my first tee shot of the morning.

I've seen thousands of golfers, but there are almost none who say they don't get nervous at all.

That just goes to show how seriously everyone takes it.

Sighs, anxiety, and frustration—

I believe they are all proof that you love golf.

The silence found only on a morning when you arrive early

One day, fearing traffic, I left home 30 minutes earlier than usual.

When I arrived at the golf course, the parking lot was still quiet.

Morning dew glistened on the grass, and the air was a little chilly.

I changed slowly and headed to the empty practice green.

Click... click...

Only the sound of the putter echoed quietly in the morning air.

In that moment, I suddenly thought,

"Oh, today might be a good day."

There was no basis for it.

But when I stood at the starting hole, my shoulders were more relaxed than usual.

Perhaps that sense of composure was the preparation I needed.

Preparing your "state" before your score

When golf isn't going well, we tend to doubt our "swing technique."

However, from 15 years of coaching experience, I can say that the cause of many breakdowns lies in your "state."

Impatience.
Tension.
Noise in your head.

Those are the things that unconsciously cause your muscles to stiffen.

"I have to do this."
"I can't afford to make a mistake."

I am subtracting those mental constraints one by one.

To do that, before polishing your technique, you need time to wait for yourself.

If you have 15 minutes to spare, you can drink your coffee slowly and gaze at the blue of the sky.

There is no need to make every shot perfect.

It is just about whether you have the mental space to think,
“Well, it will work out somehow,” when you hit your next shot.

What creates that space is not swing theory,
but actually, it is often your “arrival time at the golf course.”

Composure brings the best shots

Today's message is simple.

“Acting early creates composure”

This might not just be about golf.

But golf is a sport where the “space” before the start is directly linked to the results.

Rushing in and taking your first shot without even a moment to catch your breath.

Golf is not gentle enough for that to result in a good shot.

However, just by arriving 5 minutes early and taking a deep breath, the tension in your body begins to melt away.

You cannot buy composure.

But
you can create it yourself by choosing to “act early.”

After continuing to play golf for 30 years, this is the simplest way to prepare that I have finally understood.

Try waking up just 15 minutes earlier tomorrow morning

When you go to your next round, or to the driving range.

Why not try leaving the house “just 15 minutes” earlier than usual?

Just 15 minutes is enough.

Once you arrive at the parking lot, you don't need to start getting ready right away.

First, take three deep breaths inside your car.

"I wonder what kind of air I'll get to enjoy today."

Try gifting yourself a moment to think about things like that, just vaguely.

That alone might make the view of the first hole look a little wider than usual.

The morning air is always waiting for you.

Golf is a sport that is cruelly unpredictable.

That is precisely why those rare moments when you think, "Ah, that was perfect," make life surprisingly vibrant.

Let the wind on the golf course wash away yesterday's mistakes and last year's traumas.

What matters is that you can think, "I want to go golfing again."

That first step begins with the quiet resolve to wake up just a little earlier tomorrow.

Let's go breathe in that morning air again.⛳

What is your golf morning like?

On the morning of a golf day, what kind of feelings do you wake up with?

A morning where you're too excited to sleep. A morning where you let out a sigh.

Either is perfectly fine.

If you'd like, please tell me about your golf morning routine or any jinxes you have that make you feel like you're in good form.

I'm sure those words will gently encourage someone else.