- You don’t need a million friends – This was probably one of the most important things anyone ever told me. It was my sophomore year in college. If I look back on it, it was probably my least favorite year and I was struggling hard some days. Even if somebody appears to have a bunch of friends, goes to a bunch of parties, or seems really busy, the reality is that typically people only have like 2 or 3 people they really trust and go to a lot. So if you don’t have 50 friends you are really close with don’t worry about it.
- College was fun, but is more like a simulation– One thing I began to notice in college is the lack of things that are extremely important. When you get involved with stuff like clubs and organizations, a lot of times it seems to take over your life. If you get involved in too much it can really weigh you down. I’m not knocking any particular organization. I was in almost all of them, but if you start throwing a fit because you think you’re sorority or fraternity business is a life or death matter, you’re probably getting off track. College seems to simulate the real world. You can get leadership experience and if you do well there it definitely can set you up for some great stuff, but it is not always the real world.
- Swing your swing, if it’s good– I always hear the saying “swing your swing” which sounds great. But what if your swing sucks? It’s really easy for someone like Arnold Palmer to say this because to be honest his swing but really ugly. Even though it was ugly it was really functional. He won a bunch of golf tournaments and beat people with prettier swings than he had. Swinging your swing is not always good, and you have to evaluate if you even want help with your game. If you want help, you’re going to have to change a little. If you don’t want help, then swing your swing and just keep having fun.
- If your caddy has been there 50 years, trust his read– One of the coolest things in golf is the caddie. The player-caddie relationship is something you will not find in any other sport. Being with a caddie that has been at a historic club for 50 years or so is magic. Nothing will make you look like more of a fool than going against someone like that’s read on a green. If they give you a spot and you hit it good, that thing is going in the hole.
- Pants are better than shorts– I’m all for comfort and being progressive with the game of golf. Heck, even Harry Vardon pushed the boundaries of fashion when he was a player in the early 1900s. All I can guarantee you is that for as long as I’m a pro, I’m always going to wear pants.
just my opinion…
Noah Miller, PGA 