Anytime I get a few weeks off, I enjoy caddying in tournaments to get an inside the ropes perspective as someone who is not competing. This does a few things for me, but most of all, I get an up-close look at competition without my view being skewed by me competing in the event. I’ve seen top-level amateur events to PGA Tour events inside the ropes during the week, and I constantly realize that essentially the only reason tournaments are worth different amounts are because of the stories we tell ourselves.

For example, this week I am on the bag for my brother, Ollie, at the Trans-Miss Amateur, which is a decently sized event and a common stop for many good players during the summer. And being inside the ropes with my amateur career left behind, I found myself completely and utterly calm in the middle of the event. The events that my heart raced for, such as this one, are so different when you’re taking a look at them from a perspective other than that of the player. It shows you that the pressures and performances of that week are almost entirely made up of what the player is telling themselves.

The same thing happened last year when I was looping at the PGA Tour Event in Reno, I stepped under the ropes and was shocked how not even close to nervous I was. Every emotion that players were experiencing that week, every feeling that went on under the ropes, was entirely self-imposed.

Two different events, both meaningful, both with high level players, and my key takeaway was that the emotional results are often the story the player is telling themselves. If they shiver and are scared of a “big stage”, then I saw some meltdowns, and if they treat it as playing the game and another great day on the course, I saw better golf. It can be applied to anyone’s game at any course at any time.

Everyone has experienced it. How much different does a tee shot feel to you when the group behind you pulls up and watches you hit it, versus when you’re racing around by yourself late at night. Theoretically, there should be no change, but there is. It is all the story that we are telling ourselves.

So next time you go play, I challenge you to tell yourself a great story. As always, contact me if you have any questions and when in doubt, hit chief.

Stephen Osborne

My home course had its annual Fourth of July scramble yesterday and the typical events ensued. Husbands playing with wives who rarely play, sparklers everywhere, and outfits that look like Uncle Sam and Ronald Reagan puked American pride on them. I found it interesting how much more excited people were to go to the golf course when they got to wear what John Daly does on a daily basis. Whatever gets you out there, I guess.

Around 1 yesterday, it was as if the bald eagles and Constitutional protections of my freedoms delivered me the most incredible afternoon of golf. Everyone who teed it up early that morning attended the BBQ at this time and the course opened wide up. It went from the most hectic red, white, and blue mess to arguably the most peaceful afternoon of the year in a matter of minutes.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love America and spent the entire afternoon celebrating my way: sending freedom missiles down the fairway and BBQing with 5 people instead of hundreds. I, like my buddies I played and ate with, prefer to play golf in a more focused setting where we can have fun but work on improving our game. But I loved to see golfers come to the course for their individual reasons and all find enjoyment in the game.

What I’m getting at here is a praise to Montreux Golf and Country Club for running an event like that where every golfer was included. This is the most successful day a club can run in my opinion and this day provided just that.

This holiday also made me recognize the appeal of social events at the golf course on Men’s/Lady’s/Couple’s days throughout the week. I think it’s all great, whatever gets everyone comfortable to get to the course. For a majority of players, putting themselves out there is the hardest task, but Montreux is making that possible with theirs.

I challenge you to find what golf and fun out there looks like for you, and contact me if you have any questions or comments.

God bless America and when in doubt, hit chief.

I personally have the belief that the purest form of playing golf is alone with your thoughts and little distraction. This is where the greatest personal growth comes. If you think about the times you’ve played alone, you probably recall hitting fearless shots, talking to yourself and ball a lot, and having a damn relaxing time out there. Without any eyes on you, you are given the freedom to 100% play your own game without outside influences trying to deter you.

This freedom that comes with playing alone can be starkly contrasted by the feelings you get when you’re being watched by a group or two on the course. It just takes one set of eyes sometimes to change your mentality, and this can lead to a difficult road of negative self talk. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes I see groups that get great enjoyment out of saying they or another player are garbage, but in any form, negative self talk has terrible effects on your game.

Self talk of all kinds has been normalized for golfers, which is a strange concept because if you saw someone talking to themselves while walking down the street, you’d think they were crazy. If you see a tour professional walking down the fairway scolding or encouraging themselves, it’s completely normal. It’s funny because the only people I’ve seen and not thought twice about their self talk are crackheads and golfers. Two different ends of the social spectrum but can be ranked right next to each other in that aspect.

What I’m getting at here is no matter where or when you’re playing, whether your self talk is out loud or in your own head, you might as well use it to better yourself rather than degrade your game. Every time you talk badly about yourself, you lessen the competitive spirit from within yourself and nourish a lazy, uncaring golfer who gives up on his or herself.

So next time you go play, I challenge you to say something positive to yourself every time a negative creeps into your mind. It’s harder than you’d think but will better you on the course and make you better friends with yourself going forwards.

I hope you take the time to be positive to yourself and if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through social media or the contact button on my home page.

Happy golfing and when in doubt, hit chief.

Stephen Osborne