Nature v Nurture

Welcome one and all to 2013 and I think it will be, well, an interesting year for golf.

From a personal point of view I am more than happy to see the end of 2012.

For those not in the loop I spent Christmas in hospital, quite frankly something I would not wish on my worst enemy! One or two media pundits yes, worst enemy no!

As it turns out I had cellulites, well still have, but at one stage it looked like septicaemia. Chances are that means as much to you as it did to me at the time!

I new it was sore, the searing pain gave that away!, but never quite realised how serious it was. When a surgeon sits you down and tells you to “pay attention”, very much in a Q to Bond style, and explains you may lose your leg, well it kind of gets your attention!

The strange thing was I kind of accepted it. In the grand scheme of things my right leg would not be a great loss.

My logic was sight, hearing, hands and arms where all far more important to me. If that sounds daft just take a minute and think what you would rather lose?

As I right this I still have all limbs still in tact and hope it remains so!

But it has given me a different in sight to life, not a major one, but enough to make me think.

Before my “illness” I had joined a gym, lost 9 kilos and 9% of body fat and was working towards a “healthier” lifestyle, but once I get the clearance from the doc I will basically be starting from scratch again, but at least I WILL be able to start again.

Its also made me more determined than ever to get my arse into gear and get my golf on track again, something I have neglected for 2 years.

To be brutally frank I have turned into a “social” golfer, so much so my handicap has now lapsed. 90% of this is due to lack of confidence, nothing more or less.

That changes this year, no more half empty glasses, only half full ones!

As much as I am prepared to dedicate myself, or rather rededicate, I think the best I can hope for is single figure handicap at best.

The reason for this, despite my love for the game, I lack a natural talent for the game.

Never underestimate natural talent, with out it you can never reach golf’s, or any sports,  top level.

With hard you may, no in fact you will, be the best you can be, but never be fooled into thinking hard work can replace natural talent, it never will.

There is nobody who works harder in golf than Vijay Singh but he could never achieved what he has without natural talent.

Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and every other top golfer practise long and hard, they have trainers to keep them at peak physical condition, mind coaches and dieticians, but with out a god given talent they would not be where they are.

No coach, not even a Denis Pugh can give you the swing of Fred Couples or Karen Stupples, they were gifted swings that only nature can give you.

The reason I am going on about nature v nurture is we get bombarded by coaching want to be’s or academics who have no understanding of sport only the theory. They fill youngsters with false hopes and dreams that they will be the next big thing, they are dangerous and ignorant people.

Combine these people with pushy parents and you have a receipt for complete disaster.

By all means teach your children, and yourselves, to be all you can be but don’t push your unfulfilled dreams on to your children.    

Lets leave the academics in their classrooms and off the sports fields.