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Alex Elias
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@Linksgems)
Earlier this week, following his ace on No. 16 at Augusta National, Tommy Fleetwood tweeted:
While the average golfer will more than likely never know what it’s like to hit an ace at Augusta, every golfer knows the feeling that Fleetwood described: the gap between expectations and reality.
"I think from an expectations standpoint, people love watching golf on TV, but the average golfer often doesn’t realize how skilled you need to be to play on Tour. For example, the gap between your club champion and someone on Tour is much wider than most can imagine," said Jack Davis, Head Golf Professional at Essex County Club (Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA). "The golf industry is set up to influence you, from the PGA Tour down — through what players are wearing, the clubs they’re playing, and the courses they’re playing. As a result, a golfer’s expectations are often shaped by what they see on TV," said Davis. "It’s important to remember that you’re watching the top one hundred players in the world do what they do. That’s a good benchmark for understanding what real life is like. Even the most successful players in the world are only hitting about 75% of the greens and 60% of the fairways." 
Courtesy of Jon Cavalier (@Linksgems)
Once realistic expectations are set, the drive to lower one’s handicap can truly begin. However, according to Davis, improving one’s game often has more to do with course management than a specific swing change.
"As a Head Professional at a private club, most of our members play here regularly," said Davis. "The easiest way for them to improve, without making any changes to their swing, is simply by learning the golf course. It’s about making smarter decisions, making better club selections, being able to read lines, and understanding the wind. Without spending extra time on the range or buying a new driver, a change in mindset can already help you navigate the course more effectively." "We still need to execute, but when I’m doing an on-course lesson, I almost feel like I’m trying to pretend to be a Tour-level caddy," said Davis. "I always tell my students, 'If I were caddying for you, without worrying about technique for a single minute, I could save you five shots simply through better decisions, better leaves, and reading putts more accurately.' It may sound like a non-glamorous answer, but the key to becoming a better player isn’t just time on the range or buying a new driver — it’s mastering course management."
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