Are Vulcans Good At Golf, Mr. Spock?

What do you think? They are very intelligent and logical.

If they took more than 32 putts per round, would they get upset? Of course not, Vulcans are trained to stuff their emotions.

If they had several 3 putts, would they work on their lag putting? Perhaps.

If they hit only 8 fairways, would they work on their driver skills? Probably.

If they hit only 7 greens in regulation, would they have lots of anxiety about their approach shots? Same answer as the first one above.

Vulcans are very logical. They may be incredible golfers but none are on Tour.

Logic is a very Left Brain activity for Earthlings. We keep our statistics because it is logical.

Logic says that the statistics will tell us what to work on in our games.

Logic says that if we perfect our swings, then we will perform better.

Logic says that if we have a great putting stroke, we will be great putters.

Logic says that if we hit lots of practice balls, we will get better.

Logic says that if we don't practice, other golfers that are will progress faster.

Logic says that if we are fit and flexible then we will play better, with fewer injuries.

Logic says that if our clubs fit us well, then we will hit it further and play better.

Logic says.... Logic says.... Logic says....

Only one problem....The Logic doesn't match reality.

Do the best players in the world have perfect swings? Better than all the rest? They are pretty good but even Tiger is always working on his swing.

Which putting stroke is the best? Do all the best players have the same putting stroke or technique? Is it different than the others?

Do the best players practice and hit more balls than the other Tour Players?

Are the best players all super fit and flexible? More than the others?

Apparently the club companies are only fitting the best players with optimum clubs?

Then there is the logic of the situation and who is competing.

I have the lowest handicap so I should beat the other golfers this time.

I have done this and that, so I should be able to do this in this situation.

I qualify great so I should play great in the tournament.

I played great in the practice round so I should play great in the tournament.

And on and on.....

Golf is not logical. Too much logic will take you down the wrong path and create expectations for your performance.

Your Left Brain may be logical but it cannot hit a golf shot well or consistently. It is not athletic.

When you apply logic and play left brained, you will reduce your performances and increase your frustration.

To all of the Yes But's I can hear now...Are you too invested in the logic to see reality? It seems like it.

I am not saying forget about working on your swing or stroke or fitness. I am saying that investing all your time and emphasis on these things will have limited success.

Until you let go of the logic and work on the things that will help you play right brained and athletically, you will always play less than you are capable of. You will progress slower than you should.

Bob Shirey, PGA is a Certified GolfPsych Instructor.  For more information on Right Brain thinking contact Bob at 805-286-2590 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .