Have you ever watched a nature channel showing wildebeests in masses teetering on the riverbank deciding whether to jump in.  Why the hesitation?  The water will be refreshing, quench their thirst and lead them to new life on the other bank, but some won’t make it because they are not going to be the only occupants in the river… CROCODILES!  Those crocs are hungry too and have the same instincts to survive.  As you keep watching, the wildebeests slowly and eventually all jump in.  The “pull” of survival is greater than the risk of death.  Getting to the other side takes precedence. 

What “bank” is your golf development currently on?  Have you stopped on the comfortable side of the river afraid to dive in?  Do you fear diving into new learning afraid that you may “lose” what you currently have?  Fear of “getting worse before you get better?” OR are you willing to risk “swimming with the crocs” for a while as new swing motions, new sensations, some REALLY BAD SHOTS AND REALLY EMBARRASSING SCORES need time to take hold?  Like the wildebeests, though, there is no absolute assurance that diving in will successfully get you to the other side.  You may end up “consumed” by the crocs of doubt, fear, and frustration and you might feel like they made the wrong decision.  You may not “make it”, but as an old saying goes, “you’ll never know until… “

I never hesitated or regretted my decision long ago to jump in and swim with the crocs.  I decided to take the risk of changes which hit horrible shots, feel awful, weird and uncomfortable, but the “pull” of reaching my personal golf potential took precedence.  It was worth it to me to feel that I left “no stone unturned” in my personal golf journey.  I never wanted to look back in my older days and lament “I wish I would have jumped in!”       

Are you on the safe side today hoping that your current setup and swing style will get you “’across the river” someday without any additional clarity from a PGA Professional?  Can more range balls and more golf rounds alone get you to the other bank?  Are your “lower-scoring” playing partners and those winning club championships, etc. waving at you from the other bank urging you to jump in? 

Will you SWIM WITH THE CROCS?