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ZG123 Foundation

Traditional thought is that the concept of golf looks so easy, but the execution is hard. After designing ZoneGolf123 I realized that I had designed a system that was now as easy to execute as the game looks. My script of how golf is played had changed. We all have scripts in our lives, from going into a restaurant with the expected sequence of events that happen from meeting the hostess when you come in, then they would show you to the table, then the waitress comes to the table to take your drinks, etc. If the waitress showed up and asked what you wanted for dessert you would be floored.

With that said, I think we all have scripts in golf too, a specific way we expect the round to go or how your shot will play out. I remember years ago; I had a short shot around ninety yards to a par 4 hole with water left and remember saying to myself, let's not go over there. I actually saw how the ball would fly if I were to hit it over to the left of the green and hit in the water. Damn if I did not get up and hit it right in the water. That was a script I designed at the last minute for some reason. I succumbed to that script.

I realized I needed to design a better script. I am not sure what your script is around the green, but if you're like most people it may look something like this, you find your ball, check the lie, look at the green and attempt to evaluate the situation. Once you "think" you know what you want to do, through some sort of visualization or remembering a previous shot, you pick the club and attempt to land the ball where you "think" it will give you the best chance to get close to the hole.

How does this method make you "feel" about your probabilities of hitting a shot that is going to end up near enough to the hole where you could make the putt to get up and down?

How would you feel if you knew that "most of the time" your ball would land to a spot? The spot where you estimated on the green that would allow your ball to roll close enough to the hole where you had at least a 50/50 shot that you could make the putt? What about close enough for an 80% chance? How about 90%?

This is how ZG123 changes your script. For a beginning golfer it would look something like this. You find your ball and determine what zone you're in, then use your most reliable club you like around the green, set up to the ball with an alignment toward the pin and execute the appropriate swing distance back and through with a nice smooth pace.

When you look up after the ball is in route to the green you evaluate if you hit it solid and if that swing worked for that distance from the green. Using a simple abbreviation like A.C.E. (Assess, Commit, Evaluate), you begin to start noting what happens when you are on the course by assessing your situation, committing to your decision and evaluating that decision based on your outcome. The beauty of this is that you can document your findings and change your game plan next time you are at a similar distance and course condition.

In changing the script, I am proposing a transition from the "old way" to the "new way". ZoneGolf123 provides a defining moment of change in the life of a golfer by providing what Chip and Dan Heath describe in their amazing book called "The Power of Moments". They thought it was too cheesy to use the word EPIC to abbreviate their areas that are changed by flipping a script, but I thought it would be very fitting for golf. By adopting the ZG123 method you begin to develop EPIC outcomes by doing the following:

Elevation-Learning how match up a needed distance with a formula to hit a shot on demand to that distance elevates golfers to a transient happiness. Watching the results unfold when you know it is going to be a close shot creates a memorable experience.

Pride-ZG123 provides a moment of achievement through courage to commit to a set of parameters. By improving your game, you begin to have a new sense of pride in yourself, a new value in your ability to perform shots you may not have had the courage to attempt before.

Insight-ZG123 rewires our understanding of what it takes to hit a good shot around the green. It truly is an ahh ha moment when you realize it works. It does not just work once; it works over and over again. Players realize that their golf experience just changed for the better and will influence performance around the greens for their lifetime.

Connection-ZG123 brings a smile to the faces of those who learn the system and trust that the results will come. Before golfers know ZG123, they may have had one of five experiences. They pulled off a shot and knew what they were doing by remembering a past situation, Second, they pulled off a shot and had no idea how it worked out the way it did, Third, missed the shot and they were embarrassed or had a sense of embitterment after missing a shot after guessing if it would work out. Fourth, they may have a feeling like "I'll show you" after hitting a poor shot or lastly, feeling a moment of trauma. We do not have to look too far to see how damaging trauma can be in golf. Every year we watch as players on the PGA drop balls into the water and lose tournaments on their way to 18 on Sunday and blow a few shot lead. Why is it always water?

This last category is the most debilitating because it does not take long in golf to develop scar tissue to the point where you do not trust yourself with any situation around the green anymore. Hell, even Tiger went through a tough time around the green a few years ago. Then there is Charles Barkley, he hits the ball with a fluid motion on the range, but when he gets on the course with the crowds he freezes up. He has gotten better over the years, but still seems afraid that he is going to hit someone in the crowd. It only takes a few failed attempts to be traumatized. The defining moment of ZoneGolf123 is breaking up that scar tissue with a trending experience of positive outcomes and allowing ourselves to create great shots again.

In this chapter, I provide the reason for adopting the ZoneGolf123 system. Most of us want to do well at anything we are doing. In golf, with the costs of equipment, clothes, and green fees, it is not something that one would stick to very long if they did not feel that they could improve, have fun and speak to the core human needs listed in the last chapter.

My goal is to provide you with an edge over other golfers. Not to just to post a better score at the end of the round, but to have a system that allows you to enjoy the process vs. grinding all day and feeling worn out at the 19th hole.

I can honestly say that this system, with the key performance indicators incorporated into the process, discussed in detail in chapter four, has provided me with a dependable, repeatable way to execute shots around the green that provides consistent results which not only has improved my score, but ultimately my experience playing the game I love so much.

Comparative Advantage

Everyone who plays golf is always looking for a comparative advantage over other golfers that they play with. Just look at the commercials selling the next best product that touts more distance, straighter shots or more spin. We spend money on new technology in the attempt to get that comparative advantage. When using the method, with its use of systemization, provides consistency that provides that advantage we are looking for.

By the use of the process of deconstruction, I was able to break down various aspects of shot outcomes around the green into its most critical parts. Once this code was broken, it provided the end points for what is called ZoneGolf123 and developed pattern matching to develop a system to gain better results.

It is nearly impossible for golfers to reach mastery alone. With the assistance of a good instructor, observations can be made, adjustments incorporated, and improvements continue faster than doing it alone. The old adage is true "No man is an island". Having instructors that specialize in various areas can help focus attention on each area with an expert in the field. We all need feedback on what we are doing wrong, as well as what we are doing right. The most effective way to make gains quickly is to surround ourselves with small teams with a variety of expertise in specific areas. This can allow us to get more done in less time by preventing communication overhead. Learn about what you want help with and research those with the skills that can help you out in each area.

Traditional instruction seems to always be concerned with teaching golfers to land their ball on a particular spot or area on or around the green to allow for the ball to bounce a few times and roll out to as close to the hole as possible. For years I was trying this technique and found that I was affected by fear while attempting to "manipulate" my swing to hit my designated spot. I found that I could hit my targets consistently while I was playing a lot, but once I was out of school and working full time it did not serve me as well. I just chalked it up to my "Feel" being off since not playing as much anymore.

It was not until I was playing on the Michelob Amateur Tour, that I started seeing a pattern arising while I was practicing one day. I was in the military, starting a family and going to online school to finish my Master's in Health Education and had no real time to keep my "Feel" around the greens. I started documenting results of common swing...