T-Time Podcast // Ep. 73: Golf Truth Reminders You Need to Hear with Donna Taylor
We’re joined by returning guest Donna Taylor, a veteran of the golf world and a yoga instructor who specializes in helping women enhance their skills on the golf course.
With her unique approach, Donna has managed to make golf lessons accessible and fun. She shares how her dad, a pioneer in the sport, inspired her and her childhood friend Julianne—who’s also joining us on the podcast today—to start their golf journey in third grade.
Listen in as Donna shares her thoughts on officially transitioning from competitive golfer to teaching professional, and why she doesn’t miss the former. She also teases upcoming retreats with her thriving Golf Party Live, a fast-growing community aimed at beginner lady golfers.
The meat of our conversation covers Donna’s thoughts on Jon Sherman’s “9 Brutal Golf Truths”. Tune in and get a female golf veteran’s take on sobering principles.
Tracking Back to the Beginning
The duo traces their golfing journey back to their time in third grade when they were part of a junior golf program. The program, directed by Donna's father, ignited their passion for the sport at a very young age. They regard Dan as a trailblazer whose efforts left an indelible imprint on not just their lives but also many others in their community. Donna's father, Dan, ran the Las Positas Junior Golf program, a local initiative attended by over 250 budding golfers. It was through this platform that countless individuals in the Bay Area were introduced and fell in love with golf. Donna herself was involved in running this esteemed program for seven years, helping to nurture the next generation of golfers.
Donna Graces the Cover of Gilbert City Lifestyle Magazine
Gilbert City Lifestyle Magazine recently featured Donna on its cover. She attributes her magazine cover debut to her social media manager, Kaylee, who possesses PR skills and has a solid relationship with the owner of Gilbert City Lifestyle Magazine. It was Kaylee who initially suggested Donna meet the owner, Christie, for what turned out to be a pivotal lunch encounter. As the lunch progressed, it became clear that Donna’s story was a perfect fit for the magazine's upcoming fashion edition.
9 Golf Truth Reminders You Need to Hear
1. The Harder You Squeeze, The Harder Golf Pushes Back
In the realm of golf, the term 'squeeze' goes far beyond its literal meaning. It metaphorically touches upon the intensity and mindset you put into the game. One tangible area where 'squeeze' applies directly is your grip pressure.
Your grip pressure can indicate a lot about your personality and your approach to golf. If you are relaxed and adopt a gentle grip, just like how you would shake hands, you demonstrate a non-intense, laid-back personality. On the flip side, a tight grip is often related to Type A, overachiever personalities who might unconsciously carry other areas of their life's intensity to the golf course.
Believe it or not, grip pressure can affect your swing and overall game as well. A tighter grip is likely to interfere with the flow of your swing as it creates unnecessary tension. This tension inhibits the smooth motion your body should ideally make when you're swinging. When you're too tense due to squeezing the golf club, it's harder to focus and smoothly swing your club, pushing your performance backward.
2. There is Always a Better Golfer
Second on the list of golf truths is the reminder that there will always be someone who seems better at golf. This is where you have to remember, that it's okay, you're playing for your own benefit and enjoyment. Some people will naturally have faster progress due to their past sports experiences and that's alright. The lesson here is to focus on your own game, improvements, and accomplishments, not someone else's.
3. Golf Can Jump Up Out of Nowhere and Bite you Hard
Third on this list hits home on the unpredictable nature of golf. One moment you could be playing like a pro, and the next, your ball is heading off course. Shooting under par can quickly turn into a bad round – this is a golf reality everyone needs to accept. Instead of allowing a single poor strike to ruin your game, take it as a lesson and move on to the next hole.
4. Putting in Work Doesn't Guarantee Results
Fourth, remember that in golf, hard work doesn't always guarantee immediate results. The saying, "Perfect practice makes perfect," should be kept in mind. This means that throwing a lot of balls mindlessly won't take you far. Instead, focus on quality and presence during practice. Concentrate on perfecting your swings, approach shots, and putts.
5. You Can Make Great Decisions and Have Poor Results
Sometimes, making great decisions in golf doesn't always promise favorable outcomes. You might analyze a hole perfectly, make an excellent club selection, and still end up with a shot that disappointingly veers off target. The tricky thing about golf is that you could do everything right and still end up with a disappointing shot due to an unexpected roll or bounce. However, even when things don't go as planned, keep in mind that the next shot might end up being your lucky break.
6. Learning More About the Golf Swing Can Make You Worse
When learning more about the mechanics of a golf swing, remember that too much analysis can lead to paralysis. The more deeply we seek to understand the intricacies of our golf swing, the more we can find ourselves overthinking each shot. A commitment to significant swing changes requires dedication and patience, as progress often takes weeks or even months. But always keep in mind that overanalyzing can lead to a performance slump due to an overburdened mind. So, keep it simple and try not to let your analytical mind take control of your game.
7. Your Attitude is Just as Important as Your Skills
As much as golf is a skilled game, it's also significantly about your attitude. Regardless of how long your playing partners have been playing, their skill level or handicap index doesn't matter as much as whether they maintain a positive attitude on the course. Even when the sport becomes frustrating, it's crucial to maintain a good attitude. A positive mindset can turn your game around, allowing you to make the best of the rest of the round. Remember, attitude is one thing we can control in golf and in life; always strive to shift toward a positive mindset.
8. Your Golf Journey Will Not Be Linear
Much like life, your golfing journey will have its ups and downs with good and bad days. Your performance on the course can also be influenced by a variety of factors such as your physical and emotional well-being, and even what you're wearing. It's crucial to remember that progress isn't always a straightforward path. The key to success is to stick with the sport, embrace the hard days alongside the good ones, and remain passionate about improving. The learning curve might be winding, but if you exert consistent effort, you will generally see an upward trajectory in your proficiency.
What’s coming up for Donna?
This March, Donna will be hosting a retreat on the beautiful Coronado Island from 1st to 4th. This promises to be a thrilling event given the anticipation building up around it. Later in the year, another retreat is slated to take place. This retreat will be set in the Tahoe region, more specifically, Gray Eagle, which boasts of exceptional golf courses. The event set for August will also feature a day trip to the quaint Truckee, promising to offer attendees a wonderful experience beyond golf.
What's more, Donna plans to arrange a wellness retreat together with her personal trainer. The wellness retreat will be a departure from golf – here, there will be activities focused on fitness such as boot camp yoga. This will provide a well-rounded experience for participants who are looking to improve their wellness.
For those who want to keep up with Donna’s activities, she suggests they follow 'Golf Party Live' on Instagram. A Link Tree in the bio section of the Instagram page will provide easy navigation to essential information about events and programs.
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