Human Factor

The human organism is a wonderful thing, but it is far from perfect. Believe it. You (like everybody else) are not perfect!

Sport comprises a group of imperfect organisms placed in a competitive environment, each trying to outperform the other with the aim of achieving excellence.

It must be recognized that excellence is different to perfection. Excellence is relative to the performance of others. A competitor who possesses superior technical skills or achieves distinction through outstanding performance when compared with others is regarded as excellent.

Sportspersons often work under the mistaken belief that excellence means perfection. It is difficult to quantify what a perfect game of golf might be. After all, when there are never two shots the same how do you determine a perfect game? For this reason many players find themselves frustrated and annoyed if things don’t work out ‘perfectly’, when their goal should be actually be excellence.

Excellence on the golf course should be gauged in terms of how well your playing ability (technical, physical and mental) measures up to each challenge encountered, and whether the sum of your skills exceeds the capability of other competitors – it is a multi-dimensional thing and must take into account the conditions.

If you accept the Human Factor (and the impossibility of perfection) you can re-align how you perceive the challenge. Because you are playing a game that is designed to exploit your weaknesses, you can derive increased pleasure as you overcome each challenge. This positive realisation helps reduce stress by keeping you in the real world whilst maximising the reward. (also see Goal Setting)

Remember, you are only human. Whilst machine-like precision might be your driving ambition, always reserve the right to fail. Competitive failure does not make you a lesser person, it simply indicates a requirement to work harder on improving your skills.

Accepting the fact you possess human weaknesses will greatly improve your self-esteem - oddly enough.