Are you a Tiger or John Daly? What are you changing this offseason?

Tyler here, taking a break from my studies during a C.H.E.K. training course to give you an update. I was reading a book on the plane ride over here that had an interesting section on changing and the different logical levels that one is capable of changing. Let’s see where most golfers fit into this paradigm.

There is a hierarchy of logical levels that a person can change. Think of it like a pyramid:

At the top – Purpose
Level 1 – Identity
Level 2 – Beliefs and Values
Level 3 – Capabilities and Skills
Level 4 – Behaviour
Level 5 – Environment

The higher up on the pyramid you go, the harder it is to change that logical level. This makes sense. It is much harder to change your purpose than it is to change locations or atmosphere. The example is a company. It is easier to change the color of the walls than it is to change what the company stands for. But if you change what the company stands for, you will probably change the color on the walls.

You must be thinking that this is all interesting stuff but how does this apply to golf?

Tiger and John Daly are both golfers that have overhauled their games in the last decade. John Daly has done a tremendous job of getting healthier by going to the gym and eating better while Tiger overhauled the way that he worked his way around the golf course. John Daly took a big step for him by changing his Behaviour. As a result, it affects all of the levels below. Which means that he surrounds himself with different food and these heavy things that he now tolerates lifting. Tiger on the other hand made changes to his Beliefs and Values if not his Identity. He want from overpowering golf courses to working on shaping the ball. This forced him to look at his capabilities and skills and work on those -this is where the swing change came in. His behaviors changed slightly as a result of changing his skills. His fist pumps became more mild and he appeared to think his way around a golf course on a higher level. Environment? I’m not sure this changed much but if one of you knows Tiger, ask him and send me a message. I’ll update when I get an email.

So the higher up the pyramid you go, the greater the influence it has on the levels below it, but not the opposite. Just starting to work out doesn’t change a persons identity or values, but changing an identity or values might change the behavior.

Most golfers make quick changes to their environment (new clubs). Some might change their behavior (work out/take lessons). But very few start with a high level and make a commitment to themselves to be a healthier person and to use golf as a vehicle for being healthier. We, The Golf Fitness guys, know that this is a much tougher, yet more rewarding step.

Before you purchase a new driver this winter (environment change) think about what you really want to do/be as it relates to golf. If you have taken instruction in the past you may be wary of promised improvement, but the Titleist Performance Institute has helped make guaranteed improvement a possibility. But the only way it works is if you commit to the time it takes to see the results.

Remember, if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Have a very productive off-season golfers and let us know what you’re hoping to work on this year so that we can help you. In fact, we may have a road map for those dedicated golfers coming soon, but until then, start reflecting on your golf identity and think about what you really want to change this year. make sure those goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Only you know what you are ready to change this year. If all you can afford (energy wise/commitment wise) is a environment change then go for it, but don’t kid yourself that it will be the end all and be all of your game.

That kind of change is going to take effort.