The Day I Choose a Steady Shot Over an Unforgettable One

“Consistency over a single success”

A perfect shot stays in your heart forever.
But perhaps what quietly supports your score is not the flashy shot, but the “shot that doesn't fall apart.”

That unforgettable shot

When I was in my 20s, I had an unforgettable shot in an important match.

Around the 6th hole of the back nine.
The flow had been good since the morning, and my score was progressing smoothly. It was a day where I could even feel the texture of the grass under my feet more clearly than usual.

Standing at the second shot location, I had 150 yards left.

I reached for my 8-iron.
There was almost no wind, the sky was high, and the green looked a little closer than usual.

The moment I addressed the ball, my body became strangely still.

I wasn't thinking about anything unnecessary.
There was no strange tension in my hands or shoulders.
I just had the sensation that a single line had appeared in the space leading to the pin.

“I just need to hit it like this.”

The moment I swung with that thought, the feeling was different from usual.

The sound of the club catching the ball on the sweet spot.
The slightly heavy, pleasant sensation remaining in my hands.
The ball took off as if riding the line I had drawn in the sky, heading toward the pin with a light draw.

It landed on the green, rolled a little, and stopped right next to the cup.

A birdie.

Back then, I was making my fair share of birdies.
But I still remember that one shot.

Not because it was a birdie, but because I was able to draw a line in the sky.
And because I felt like I had truly placed the ball on that line.

That concentration.
That stillness.
That mysterious conviction.

When you play golf, you occasionally encounter such a shot.
And the trouble is, that shot is hard to forget.

The urge to chase “that feeling”

Once you experience a perfect hit, you find yourself unconsciously searching for “that feeling” in your next shot and even in your next round.

"I want to hit it like I did that time."
"I want to produce that shot again."
"Maybe I can do it again now."

I think many golfers can relate to this feeling.

A single shot can stay in your heart for years.
Even on a frustrating day, just having that one shot makes you think, "I'll go again."

That is also the beauty of golf.

But at the same time, chasing that one shot too much can ruin the flow of your round.

To be honest, that feeling doesn't come every time.

If you swing 100 times, it might be lucky if it happens once.
Days when it doesn't happen are the norm.

And yet, we can't help but seek it out.

"A better shot."
"A more satisfying feeling."
"More perfection."

I still experience this myself.

When I hit a good shot during a round, I get greedy on the next one.
I want to recreate that sensation, and without realizing it, I'm gripping the club too tightly.

Even though just landing in the fairway would be enough, I try to hit it as far as possible.
Even when it's a good situation to be short of the green, I want to aim straight for the pin.

And so, my body gradually stiffens.

My rhythm gets faster.
I can't hold my finish.
I start wanting the result before I've even hit the ball.

And after I make a mistake, I think this:
"Wait, it was fine just a moment ago."

The day I sought a "good shot" too much

My student, M, was the same type.

They can hit consistently at the driving range, but their score doesn't hold together during a round.

One day, during a lesson, I asked them:

"How was your round the other day?"

Then, Mr. M smiled a little shyly and said.

I hit about three really great shots. But everything else fell apart, and my score was a mess.

Hearing those words, I felt I really understood.

Three perfect shots. That is a wonderful thing.

But if you have major mistakes on the other holes, your score won't be stable.

Golf is not a competition to see who can hit the best single shot.
It is about how you connect 18 holes.
It is about how well you can keep going without falling apart, both when things are good and when they are bad.

That is the foundation of your score.

What I want to convey: 'Consistency over a single success'

A miracle shot certainly feels good.

An iron shot hit on the sweet spot. A driver shot that flies straight. A wedge shot heading toward the pin.

That feeling is a big reason why we keep playing golf.

But it is not just that one shot that makes your score.

A ball that stays short of the green even if you miss the sweet spot. A ball that curves but doesn't reach the woods. A ball that is in a playable spot even if it wasn't exactly what you aimed for.

Those '70-point shots' are what support your round.

Instead of hitting one 100-point shot, keep hitting 70-point shots. When you can do this, your golf game will settle down a bit.

Choose a 'consistent shot' rather than aiming for a 'great shot'.

This is a bit understated. But in an actual round, this understated choice is truly strong.

For example, aim for the center of the green. Decide that being a little short is fine. Choose your club without forcing it.

That is not running away; it is a decision to keep your round in order.

It is the same at the driving range.

Instead of asking, "What was the best shot of the day?" ask,
"How many shots did I hit without falling apart?"

You hit 10 balls, and 7 of them flew reasonably well.
Even if you missed the sweet spot slightly, the direction didn't veer off too much.
You had more shots where you maintained your balance through the finish.

That may not be flashy, but it is a very important feeling.

What you can do starting today

At the driving range, find the level of power at which you can hit consistently.
Determine the swing arc that keeps your distance and direction from scattering too much.

Knowing that will be a huge help on the course.

Practicing to hit the perfect 100-point shot is, of course, an option.
Golf is meant to be enjoyed, so it's fine to have time to challenge yourself and feel good.

However, to keep your score in check, "steady shots" are important for most of the 18 holes.

Simply put, if you hit 10 balls and 7 go well, that's enough.

Just thinking that way helps release some of the tension in your body. You want to understand the 70-point shot that won't lead to a major disaster even if you make a mistake.

With just that, the big blow-up holes in a round will gradually decrease.

The view beyond stability

I don't think you need to lose the desire to chase that one perfect shot.

That great feeling is why you want to go back to the driving range.
You pick up the club wanting to experience that sensation once more.
That is an important part of the joy of golf.

But during a round, you also need the courage to choose stability.

You didn't hit a perfect shot today.
But you also didn't have many shots where you fell apart.

Even on a day like that, you are still moving forward properly.

Not a flashy shot, but a steady one.
Not an unforgettable success, but a lasting consistency.

When you can focus on that, your perspective on golf changes a little.

In your next round, would you rather choose a 100-point shot or a 70-point shot?