“You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” – Brian Tracy

I don’t write very many articles about anything personal to my life but this past week proved to be a great lesson in golf as well as life. I visited a prison last Saturday for a Forgiven Ministries event where the inmates could earn a day with their children for good behavior over a 90 day period. While these men were obviously getting their life on track and doing things right in order to have this privilege it was still a rather nerve racking experience. It was even more nerve racking for someone like myself who spent most of her life very quiet, shy and reserved. But getting out of my comfort zone is something I have learned to do on a regular basis lately and it’s amazing what it has done for me.

As a player, getting out of your comfort zone is vital for developing into the complete golfer. If you practice and play in a constant state of being comfortable you will never know how to steady your nerves, deal with difficult situations and keep calm under pressure. You must learn to practice under situations that you face on the golf course. Do drills that put pressure on your short game and create shots you would have on the course that you feel you must get up and down. Get out on the golf course and learn to hit shots out of trouble spots. Practice shots that you may not face on a regular basis (out of a divot, plugged in the bunker, standing with one foot out of the bunker, etc). Play with a group of really good players that might normally intimidate you. Do things in your daily life that are a little out of your comfort zone. Speak in front of a crowd, initiate conversation with someone you normally don’t talk to, volunteer for an activity you aren’t familiar with, anything that is something out of your normal routine or character. It’s amazing how much getting out of your comfort zone both as a person and a player can mean for your game (and the college recruiting process). So get out there and be uncomfortable!!