After a mistake, just taking one step back makes your golf game harder to fall apart

Those who can take a step back are less likely to fall apart

Instead of rushing forward to make up for it, step back just once.
That small pause can sometimes help your next shot.

At dusk on the green, it's quiet, yet my heart is restless

The course in the afternoon as the sun begins to set.

The scent of the grass grows a little stronger, and the wind blowing across the green brushes against my cheeks.
It is a time when only the sound of my footsteps walking toward the cup sounds unusually clear.

The surroundings are quiet, but my mind is restless.

When playing golf, I experience such moments many times.

This is especially true right after an approach shot from around the green goes way over.

The feel of the club still lingers in my palms.
Watching the ball stop behind the cup, a small sigh escapes me.

Sometimes, feeling like I'm keeping my playing partners waiting, my heart just rushes ahead.

I understand the feeling of wanting to make up for it quickly

When I started playing golf, I was the same.

Especially right after making a mistake, I would try to make up for it quickly with the next shot.

I would walk quickly to the ball, and without looking enough at the slope or the direction of the grass, I would hit it thinking, 'This time I'll get it close.'

If it goes well, I'm saved.

However, in many cases, it goes even further over or rolls to the other side, and in the end, I have no choice but to laugh.

I'm sure there are many people who have had that experience.

Impatience is not a bad thing.

It is precisely because you are playing seriously that you think, 'Next time.'

However, a body that is impatient tends to forget its usual movements.

Your breathing becomes shallow, your shoulders rise, and your grip naturally tightens.
Even if you think to yourself, 'Let's calm down,' your body is honest.

Embarrassingly, I still fall apart even now.

Even though I have been teaching golf for a long time, I myself sometimes get greedy around the green.

'I want to sink this here.'

When that feeling becomes strong, I hit the ball harder than necessary.
It goes way past the cup, and I even miss the return putt.

If I thought about it calmly, I shouldn't try to force it in, and I should just decide on an 'over-line' that says even if I hit it hard, it will only go this far.

I know that in my head.

Even so, the greed of 'I hope it goes in if I'm lucky' makes me move the club a little too strongly.

What is important is not to never fall apart.

It is having your own way of getting back on track when you start to fall apart.

I think that is much more realistic for us average golfers.

The strength of taking a step back, taught to me by Mr. B

Mr. B, a student in his 50s, was someone who tended to play too quickly when he failed an approach shot.

During a round one day, his approach shot went way over.

Mr. B hurried to his ball and tried to set up his putter right away.

At that moment, I called out to him.

'Shall we take another look at the line?'

Mr. B looked a little confused, but he stepped away from his stance and took a step back.

Then, he looked between the ball and the cup again, and crouched down to check the slope.

The expression on his face when he set up again looked a little softer than before.

The ball that was struck headed toward the cup without any rush and sank quietly into it.

Of course, I think he was happy that the putt went in.

However, more than the result, what left an impression on me was that Mr. B was able to regain his composure and make the shot.

After the round, Mr. B told me this.

"It was good that you told me to take a moment to rethink things."

Since then, it seems Mr. B has started to stop for a moment instead of setting up immediately after making a mistake.

"When I'm in a rush, I can hear your voice, coach."

Every time he tells me that with a laugh, I feel happy too.

Taking a step back is not the same as losing your nerve.

"People who can take a step back are less likely to fall apart."

I don't believe this is about patience or passivity.

By stepping back, you can re-examine yourself and the situation from a slightly more distant perspective.

Your gaze, which had been fixed only on the ball, expands to include the cup, the slope, and the surrounding scenery. Your breathing, which had become shallow, also gradually returns to normal.

To move forward, you dare to step back once.

That is not running away, but a small technique to regain yourself.

One thing you can try starting today

The next time you make a mistake and feel flustered, try taking just one step back instead of heading straight for the ball.

Then, take a single look at the trees, the sky, or the color of the green.

If you can, try to exhale slowly while looking at that scenery.

That alone is enough.

It is only for a few seconds, but it serves as a switch to shift your mind and body toward the next shot.

One more shot at twilight

On a course where the sun is beginning to set, take a step back and exhale.

The sound of swaying trees and the scent of damp grass gradually loosen your tense feelings.

The sound of birds echoes in the distance, and the color of the sky changes from orange to a pale purple.

This is a view you might miss when you are obsessed with trying to make up for a mistake.

Notice that scenery, and then turn back to face the ball once more.

The next shot may not necessarily go well.

Even so, a shot you choose to hit yourself will surely feel better as you move forward than a shot hit while being pushed by impatience.

In what situations do you find yourself feeling impatient, wanting to make up for a mistake quickly?
In your next round, why not try taking just one step back at that very moment?