Before the score, there is something that is truly growing

Stopping in the parking lot at dusk

The evening after finishing a round.
The setting sun reflects off the windshield,
and there is a time when even the asphalt of the parking lot is dyed a soft orange.

Before loading my golf bag, I look back at my scorecard.
Did I do well today, or was it bad?
I find myself wanting to ask the numbers for that answer.

But all I see are double and triple bogeys.
"Ah, I still have a long way to go."
Sometimes, a small sigh falls deep within my chest.

I am sure you have felt this too.
Even though you tried your best, you look only at the numbers at the end,
and have a moment where you judge your day a little too harshly.

The fact that you are so frustrated is proof that you are serious

When things don't go as planned, you blame yourself, don't you?
"I was hitting it so well at the driving range."
"Why do I always repeat the same mistakes?"

On the way home, while gripping the steering wheel,
I replay the same scenes in my head over and over.
I understand that feeling painfully well.

But that frustration is proof that you truly care about golf.
Please don't hate yourself for not being able to do it.

The reason you feel down when things don't go well is because you want to go further,
and you want to reach higher.
That passion will surely become the strength for your improvement.

Small changes grow quietly

When I am teaching, there is a phrase I often hear from students.
"Teacher, I don't feel like I'm getting any better at all."

I understand that feeling very well.
Today compared to yesterday, this week compared to last week.
When you compare at such close intervals, it is hard to see the changes.

But someone who used to whiff the ball often until a little while ago can now carry it forward properly.
Someone who said they were afraid to go out on the course can now walk 18 holes with a smile.

It was the same for me.
It's not that my driving distance suddenly increased, or that I get a good score every time.
Even so, when I manage to hold it together in a situation where I would have fallen apart a year ago, I sometimes think, "Ah, I've grown a little."

Growth in golf isn't just about changes that deserve applause.
It is quiet, small, but it is certainly there.

Let's look at the process, not the results

Why don't you try changing your perspective just a little here?
Instead of comparing yourself to the skilled person next to you, compare yourself to who you were a little while ago.

The beautiful swing of your playing partner.
The pleasant sound echoing from the next stall at the driving range.
Seeing things like that can make your heart waver on some days, can't it?

But I believe that golf is not a competition to aim for the same form as others, but a sport where you climb your own staircase.

The approach shot that I used to top, I was able to carry near the green today.
The first tee shot of the morning that I used to tense up for, I was able to take a breath before today.
That alone is a significant change.

You don't have to change everything dramatically.
That small difference, being a little more composed than yesterday, will eventually show up in your score.

Today's words

"If you value the process, the results will follow"

Golf is a sport that takes time to show results.

There are times when you practice but can't hit well in the next round,
and days when you think, "Maybe this isn't for me."

But I have seen it many times.
The moment when someone who has carefully continued suddenly finds it easy to swing one day.
The sight of someone who has steadily built up their skills without rushing, finding that they don't fall apart as easily.

Results do not suddenly fall from the sky.
They grow quietly within the process and appear in shape later on.

What you have built up in the unseen places remains within you.
I think golf is a sport that teaches us that very honestly.

Remember for just 3 seconds before your next shot

In your next practice or round, before you hit,
try whispering this to yourself in your heart for just 3 seconds.
"What can I do now that I couldn't a year ago?"

That is all you need.
It is very small and no one else will notice, but your heart will feel a little lighter.

"I'm hitting it better than before" is fine,
and "I was able to hit without running away" is also enough.

That small confirmation will make your next shot easier.

Let's go to the course again to see the next scenery

If you only look at the score, you still have a long way to go.
There will surely be days like that in the future.

Even so, compared to who you were a year ago, you have truly changed.
Because you didn't give up back then, you have this shot now.
On days when you can think that, you are already moving forward in a way that is separate from the numbers.

In golf, even the days that don't go well become an important part of the process later.
So it's okay to be a little clumsy today, too.

You'll want to go to the course again to see the next scenery.
I really love days that end like that.⛳

Please tell me about your small changes

Have you recently had a shot or a moment where you felt,
"I've changed since a year ago"?

It doesn't have to be related to your score.
Even if it's a small change, please tell me about it.