Rationalizing Failure leads to Failure

A big obstacle to improvement in golf is the habit of rationalizing. When a person rationalizes, it means, to put it simply, that they place the blame for their defeats upon outside persons or circumstances. This protects their (possibly fragile) ego by taking the sting out of failure. It turns painful depression into less painful anger. It tears others down and, by tearing down of others, seems to raise them in importance, much like the last survivor of a battle royal who looks like a giant of the ring if everyone else is on the floor. It is bad psychology to rationalize.

First it is a most unpleasant personality trait. The least desirable companion on any golf course is the constant griper. It is a mark of selfishness to impose on others the necessity for listening to this bilge.

Second, the tendency to excuse one's game hinders remedial learning. No improvement is possible unless the individual takes full responsibility for all his golfing errors and proceeds to correct them. Analyze the reasons why the game went badly and work to eliminate them the next time you are out on the golf course. You might want to get this DVD to help you improve your golf grip, stance and swing.

Third, even if rationalization removes the sting from poor shots, it retards learning. Learning is faster if we attach a painful reaction to a poor shot. When you rationalize, it makes failure easier to take and thereby makes it harder to learn. Rationalizing or the making of excuses does not inspire remedial practice. You do not realize that remedial practice is necessary because you do not accept personal responsibility for the error.

Fourth, it is not wise to rationalize even when there is a good basis for it. If you do, it will intensify feelings of hopelessness, and prevent you from attaining a satisfactory level of performance. Your subconscious mind will resign itself to failure and that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Even gross physical handicaps should not be used as excuses. Many have made names for themselves under the greatest of physical handicaps such as the one-armed guy who hit two holes in one on the same round. Don't feel sorry for yourself, think positive.

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