The night you go home after 50 balls, golf becomes a little kinder

The driving range after work, the night breeze and the sound of striking balls

As the sun sets and the orange lights begin to illuminate the driving range.
I stand at the tee, thinking I need to hit at least a few balls before the weekend golf.

I'm going to hit 100 balls today, until I'm satisfied.

Even though I put on my glove with that determination,
around the 50-ball mark, my arms suddenly feel as heavy as lead.

The balls go right, then left.
Frustrated by my body not moving as I want it to,
I grip the club even tighter.

Only halfway there...

That small sense of impatience spreads deep in my chest.
When I'm not satisfied, I end up adding more balls,
getting even more tired, and sinking into a quagmire.

I'm sure you've experienced
a night like that at least once.

That frustration is proof of how hard you are trying

A night where you blame yourself, wondering why you can't do it.
Actually, I was terrible at it too, back in the day.

When I was working part-time at a driving range, there were times I would hit balls endlessly by myself in the pitch-black range after closing time.

But that frustration of wanting to hit 'just one more ball' and 'wanting to get better'
is proof of how sincerely you love golf.

People don't suffer that much over things they don't care about.
First, please be kind to yourself and say, 'Good job,' for making the effort to come here today.

Golfers I've seen at the driving range

I've been an instructor for over 15 years.
I've seen thousands of golfers.

There are all kinds of people at the driving range at night.
People who hit balls silently even when tired, still in their suits after work.
There are also people who keep hitting hundreds of balls.

When I was young, I also thought that quantity was everything.
I would hit until the very end even when my arms were swollen,
and the next day my swing would be a mess. It was a cycle of that.

But the better the player or the pro, the slower their pace of hitting often is.
They have clear goals, and their purpose isn't just to hit a high number of balls.

Seeing that made me realize something.
Improvement isn't determined solely by the number of balls hit.

The time when your brain practices in secret

Improvement is not just about hitting a lot of balls.
It is important to practice with a clear idea of what you want to master.

Correcting your stance, refining your rhythm, learning how to release tension...
Such 'proper preparation' is what will help you when it counts.

And one more thing.
It is actually a great waste to let your brain memorize your swing when you are tired as 'the correct movement'.

Of course, it would be great if you could go every day.
But if you are busy,
practicing once a week, or even once a month, is fine.
What matters is 'making it a long, steady habit'.

The ball count can be 50 or less.
Even if you can't do it then, your brain will organize the information while you sleep,
and your body will suddenly move correctly in your next practice.

Golf has such mysterious moments.

Today's thought: Rest is also a part of golf

I have a message I would like to give you today.

'Both work and rest are important'

Golf is not a sprint, but more like a long walk.
If you rush too much, you will miss the scent of the grass, the sound of the wind, and the precious scenery.

Just because you finished after 50 balls today,
does not mean your passion has faded.

Rather, because there are days to rest,
your body's spring returns, your mind settles, and you will look forward to your next practice again.

Resting is an essential preparation period to meet the 'you who can do it' next time.

A habit of talking to yourself for just 3 seconds

If you feel you aren't hitting well in your next practice, try just this.

'While reflecting on today's goal, exhale deeply for 3 seconds'

You don't have to force yourself to keep hitting until you get it right.
It's okay if you keep making mistakes.

Just by remembering 'what you wanted to master today',
that day's practice is a perfect 100 points.

It becomes a much more valuable 50 balls than hitting 100 balls aimlessly.

Let's meet again on the grass with a smile

Instead of forcing yourself to keep hitting, call it a day.
Take a warm bath and get some good rest.

Golf won't run away.
The sparkle of the green and the clear morning air
are waiting for you to return in good health.

Keep that feeling of 'I want to do more' right now
and save it for your next round.

Because your golf journey will continue on.
Someday, in the wind on the course,
I look forward to seeing your bright smile again. ⛳️

Lastly, please tell me.

Is there a golf habit that you 'keep doing no matter what'?

'Taking just one practice swing every day',
'Watching a video before going to bed', or
any small thing is fine.
Your ingenuity might become someone else's new first step.
Please do let me know in the comments.