What I Learned From The PGA Tour Today
photo credit: H Dickins
Tournament tempo
I spent my day at the Phoenix Open today. I was in heaven. I love golf, in case you were wondering. As I spent some time at the practice tee watching some of the best players in the world warm up, I was struck by a thought. What is the main difference between these guys and the rest of us hacks? The answer? Tempo. They all have great tempo. A smooth rhythm to their swings that you never see at your local driving range. Some may swing faster than others, but they are all smooth and unhurried in their delivery of the clubhead to the ball.
How does this connect with blogging? All blogs have a tempo too. A pattern to how often they post. A pattern to how often they answer comments. There is a rhythm to successful blogging, and in fact, to all successful endeavors.
Why is tempo critical?
Thinking out loud, what is it about rhythm that is so critical to success? I think that the prime benefit of a good smooth tempo is that it gives you time to react to input. You don’t rush into situations in such a way that you are committed only to find out that you committed to the wrong thing, whether it’s a business situation or a body position in the middle of a golf swing.
How do you get good rhythm and tempo? The same way you get to Carnegie Hall. Practice. Practice. Practice. But practicing the right things. Like a golfer you don’t want to waste your time practicing the wrong things. If you want to gain a good rhythm you can’t practice swinging a golf club as hard and as fast as you can. You have to practice swinging with good rhythm and tempo. The same applies to everything else. Don’t practice bad habits. Practice the good ones. Like posting to your blog regularly, and answering comments as quickly as you can. Do all the things you know are good business or blogging habits and they will become your normal swing.
As always, comments are encouraged.
I have a great vision of Tiger driving balls at Carnegie Hall. Or maybe even playing the cello. Interesting how that great rhythm doesn’t mean much when your life is a farce. Or maybe there is a life rhythm in which that sports rhythm fits.
Yeah, Tiger lost his life rhythm.
Excellent analogy Ray.
me, I prefer improvised music, like Charlie Parker. In his case, he’d fit 7 notes in a 4-beat measure and make up for it down the road.
I think that is more my style.
But you know what?… it is still a tempo, just a little different. Love that.
AL
Allyn´s last blog ..How To Get Links By Darren Rowse And I Agree!
@Allyn: Heh. You fell into my trap. If you had read my about page you would know that I used to be a pro trumpet player. Done plenty of improv myself. I am still a big band junkie. Now that Maynard is gone (which was devastating to me, personally) there is Gordon Goodwin’s Big phat Band. At least he has a Maynard alumni leading the trumpet section. There will never be another Maynard Ferguson.
Ray´s last blog ..What I Learned From The PGA Tour Today
in addition to tempo you better be completely focused between the ears to excel in golf, maybe not so much in blogging since there’s no legitimate real-time pressure.
if you are not mentally strong in golf you cannot win. my guess is you could still blog, though. ha.
that said, both golf and blogging and really anything else always benefit from practice and work!
all true