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It takes what it takes

The third week of the month we focus on culture. Being Sixtyone means that everything comes back to golf. People like us do things like this.

Doing: feel like vs choose

Being Sixtyone is a process. Former Alabama football coach, Nick Saban, is recognized as one of the best coaches of all time. He has helped more players get to the NFL than any other football coach. How does he do it? He says It takes what it takes.

Process and discipline. To get certain things, you have to do certain things.

As you can see in the video above, Coach Saban believes that we basically have the answer two questions when it comes to goals and success. The first is can we make ourselves do it? The second question is can we make ourselves not do it?

When you know there is something you should be doing to reach your goals that you might not feel like doing, can you make yourself do it anyway? Likewise, when you feel like doing something you know you are not supposed to do, can you make yourself not do it? The path to reaching goals and finding success is not hidden. It is not difficult to figure out how to get to our goals. It takes what it takes. To get good grades in school, you have to study. To send a golf ball where you want it to go, you have to learn to control the clubface.

There is a process to being a Sixtyone golfer. Separating the purpose from the goal, doing the right thing whether anyone is watching or not, never judging, helping others, no drama, being on time, being curious, leaving the course better than you found it: these are not easy to do. It is hard to even remember all of it. But it is our culture. It takes what it takes. 

Change. Think. Golf.

ICTM High School on campus

Editor’s note.

The following is an example of what can happen when you change the way you think about the game of golf. This was submitted by an outstanding high school ICTM member whose name will remain anonymous (unless they want us to release it). They attend a school whose students have taken the Change. Think. Golf. message to heart and continually surprise us  with their achievements. The following is a list of jobs and job descriptions they have created to establish a functioning golf program at their school, and, more important, establish a legacy for other students to follow.

President

The president of the school’s EXL Golf Squad is somewhat of an overseer of the entire group. They are not necessarily the boss, but they are typically the representative for the school and most responsible overall.

Vice President

The vice president assists the president in making any decisions and in any of the activities. They work in tandem with the president and represent their school whenever the president is absent.

HR/Public Manager

The public manager will be the main person helping any newcomers adjust to the group. They welcome everyone in. They should be the most prominent one making sure that everyone is comfortable with the group. 

Stenographer

The stenographer is the person in the group who takes notes and writes down everything. Everything said during meetings should be written down by the stenographer. When needed or requested, the stenographer would also send out and share documents with necessary group members.

Social Media

If numbers allow, there can also be more than one social media member. Those who work in social media should come up with video ideas, questions, recruit interviewees and generally create interesting content about the program to share with others.

 

The Long Game

The second week of each month we focus on strategy and managing obstacles. Strategies equal plans. Tactics are the steps we take to complete them.

This is strategy week. Strategies are the plans we set to overcome obstacles. Some obstacles are self-produced. We create them ourselves because of the way we think, decisions we make and things we do. Other obstacles come from the outside forces. We have to deal with both.

In the late 1950s, golf was not open for everyone. For some people, simply playing golf was a challenge, learning to play well was even more difficult.

The movie, The Long Game, gives us a view into the obstacles the students of San Felipe High School had to face. The actual school is gone now. It closed in 1971. But, the types of obstacles they had to face still exist. When you watch the movie, pay attention to the strategies and tactics they had to use. The San Felipe Mustangs not only learned to play golf, they learned to play so well that the won the 1957, Texas state championship.

What is your long game? What is your plan?

Change. Think. Golf.

The first quarter is over

The first week of the month we focus on self-awareness. How much do you know about the rules and etiquette of golf?

So remember the first of the year? We talked about starting over. No resolutions. Just work. Remember what Kobe said? Superman is only in comics.

Remember, we talked about percentages, too. We talked about the percentage of people who quit on their resolutions. Well here is another percentage. We are 25% through the year 2024. The good news is that there is 75% left. That means we still have 268 days left. What will you do with them?

Remember, golf can not be taught; it must be learned. We have 268 days to get better.

Change. Think. Golf.

Golf Talks ’24: Apr 10

Golf Talks meet the second Wednesday of every month. We discuss events, programming, and, basically, talk golf.

Guest: Bruce Furman, PGA

Bruce Furman has made the Golf Digest’s list of top professionals in the state of Oregon every year since the list began. He’s split his time teaching between Southern California and Oregon for many years. Now, he teaches full time in Oregon. And, there is one person who we know if grateful for that. That person is Connor Holden.

Conor is 14 years old and one of Mr. Furman’s students at Langdon Farms GC in Portland. Connor will not be in Portland next week though. He’s heading to Georgia to compete in the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals at Augusta National.

Join us next Wednesday and listen to what Mr. Furman thinks about the golf swing, and find out how Connor made it all the way to Augusta National. (Here’s a hint; Connor did well.)

Topics & Goals

  1. Housekeeping: Spring Break 2024 awards.
  2. Q & A session with Bruce Furman.
  3. Use this link to join the Golf Talk at 6:30 p.m.
  4. Change. Think. Golf.

No matter who is watching

The third week of the month we focus on culture. Being Sixtyone means that everything comes back to golf. People like us do things like this.

People like us do things like this

This is culture week, so let’s talk about an important part of being Sixtyone: integrity. It can mean a lot of things, but we like to keep things simple. Integrity is simply the act of doing the right thing.

Imagine that you are walking down the hallway at school and see a wrapper or piece of trash lying on the ground. Picking it up and putting it in the trash can, even though no one sees you do it or asks you to do it, is the right thing to do. That is integrity.

But integrity does not stop there. Integrity means that you are honest and truthful at all times. As an example, what if your mom asks who ate the last cookie? You know it was you, but you are also the only one who knows it. Being honest and having integrity means that you admit it was you—even if it means you might get in a bit of trouble. Why? Why would you purposely put yourself in a position to get in trouble.

Trust. 

When you consistently do the right thing and tell the truth, people trust you more. Your friends, family, teachers and other people you meet look at you differently when they know that you are honest. They know that you do what you say you are going to do. More important, when someone asks you about something that happened, trust allows them to believe what you say you did. 

Integrity is important for your own self-respect. When you act with integrity, you know deep down that you are doing the right thing. This can make you feel proud and confident in yourself, and others pick up on that. Other can feel that.

But integrity is not always easy. Sometimes it is hard to do the right thing or tell the truth, especially when people around you are not. But, that is when it is most important. That is when your integrity shines brightest. That is when others feel it most. That is when you are being Sixtyone. And, that is when your self-respect, your integrity can influence others to start doing the right thing too.

Change. Think. Golf.

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The Long Game

The second week of each month we focus on strategy and managing obstacles. Strategies equal plans. Tactics are the steps we take to complete them.

Are you setting SMART goals?

The second week of each month we focus on strategy and managing obstacles. Strategies equal plans. Tactics are the steps we take to complete them.

This is strategy week. As you know, strategies are just plans. But before you need plans, you need to set goals. And, the goals we set need to be S.M.A.R.T. They need to be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based.

‘I want to be a better golfer’ is a goal, but it is not specific. I want to be able to hit the 50 yard sign is specific, but it is not measurable. When, how many times? These are measurements.

‘I want to be able to hit the 50 yard sign in one shot’ is specific and measurable, but is it attainable? Is it realistic? The goal of hitting the 50 yard sign one time each day is specific, measurable and attainable, but is it relevant?

For some golfers, this would be a very relevant goal. But for someone like Tiger Woods, hitting the 50 yard sign one time in a day would be so easy that it would have no value. It would not help him improve. Relevant goals line up with your long-term objectives. They also do not distract you from other more important goals. They are relevant to your progress.

The last step in setting S.M.A.R.T. goals is a time target. Reaching any goal is much more likely if you give yourself a deadline.

So, ‘I want to be able to hit the 50 yard sign at least one time per day by the end of the school year’ is a S.M.A.R.T. goal. As you improve, increase the number of times you have to hit the sign each day.

Golf is never finished.

Change. Think. Golf.

Mar 11-17: Strategy

Objective

This strategy week and the word for the week is realistic:

1 : Something is like real life, and

2: Something we can actually do or make happen.

Goals should be lofty. We should dream big. However the strategies to reach those goals should be realistic. The steps we take to get what we want need to be S.M.A.R.T. 

Most people fail at learning how to play golf because their expectations are not realistic. It is important learn to take your victories from where they lie when you play golf. The most important skill a golfer needs most is to be able to realistically assess their abilities, and work with that.

The best thing about golf is that it has layers. There is a lot to work with on the course. As an example, you might be particularly good at lag putting or, maybe, you do not miss any putts inside of five feet. This means that you can enjoy your ability to putt while you work on the other parts of the game. Likewise, you could have a advanced short-game you can enjoy, or maybe you can hit the ball really far.

The point is that golf is easy to learn and impossible to master. There are always going to be frustrating moments out on the course. However, there will also be enjoyable moments. There will be victories everywhere once we learn to be realistic.  

Notes & Activities

  1. Team leaders will meet-up at the course today at 1 p.m. to redistribute the gear setups.
  2. There is a Golf Talks session this Wednesday night. Coach Jim Harrick is the scheduled guest. Make sure that you spread the word. Additionally, everyone is encouraged to join in to hear what he has to say.
  3. We need to establish the four students teams for each school to participate in the Spring Break challenge.
  4. Did we make any promises to students last week?
  5. What promises did we make to students last week?
  6. Other projects:
    • Spring Break contest & prizes.
    • There is a right-hand PXG set missing.
    • Golf clubs and dungeon.
    • Golden Valley simulator.
    • Student design t-shirts.
  7. Session coverage? Daily support availability due by 11 a.m.
  8. Golf development activities.
    • Strategy & tactics. What are your goals? Who can help? What do you need to do? When do you need to do it?
    • Enter, Down and Putts?
    • The swing sequence: start behind the ball | check your grip | check your space | good posture | balanced swing.
  9. Drills

Golf Talks ’24: Mar 13

Golf Talks meet the second Wednesday of every month. We discuss events, programming, and, basically, talk golf.

Guest: Todd Pallis

Todd Pallis knows a lot about golf clubs and club-fitting. Check out the video above to see what we mean. He is coming back for round two as a Golf Talks guest to share what he knows.  Watch the video. Listen to him talk about the way PXG clubs are designed to work. Then, join us Wednesday night to ask Todd how your clubs are made to help improve your golf performance.

Topics & Goals

  1. Housekeeping: Spring Break 2024 schedule.
  2. Q & A session with Todd Pallis.
  3. Use this link to join the Golf Talk at 6:30 p.m.
  4. Change. Think. Golf.

Mar 04-10: Self-awareness

Objective

The word for the week is obligation; 1 : an act of making oneself responsible for doing something. The goal of the Sixtyone is to build a sense of obligation, reliability and commitment, first, in ourselves and anyone who wants to work with us. Next, it is the focus of every Academy session. We want the students to learn that they have an obligation to be their best.

Former Duke basketball coach describes here the path to improvement requires change, overcoming failure and building a team. These are the same concepts we talk about in our weekly themes. Can you identify what they are?

Our focus during self-awareness week is on reflection. We pay attention to how what we say, think, feel and do affects ourselves and others. Our obligation is to do the work, and then show the students and everyone interested in Being Sixtyone how they can benefit from doing the work too.

Notes & Activities

  1. Golf Talk next Wednesday. Dave Stockton Jr. or repeat guest.
  2. Gear distribution?
  3. We need to get key contacts to the course for spring break sessions.
    • EXL supported field trips are back on.
    • Going to attempt the shuttle schedule.
  4. Select date of the culmination event.
  5. What promises did we make?
  6. Projects:
    • Golf clubs and dungeon.
      • Does anyone have the right-hand PXG set?
    • Golden Valley simulator.
    • Student design t-shirts.
    • Golf Talks session: 
  7. Session coverage?
  8. Golf development activities.
    • Reflection: What are your goals? How is your progress? How much do you know about golf, your golf and others?
    • Enter, Down and Putts?
    • The swing sequence: start behind the ball | check your grip | check your space | good posture | balanced swing.
  9. Drills

Golf Talks ’24: Feb 14

Golf Talks meet the second Wednesday of every month. We discuss events, programming, and, basically, talk golf.

Raphael “Ralph” Sheffield, golf pro

Raphael “Ralph” Sheffield grew up in Los Angeles, CA, and went Dorsey High School. He played football and baseball at Dorsey, and he was good. 

He was so good at baseball that he played in college, and he set records at both Santa Monica College and then at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA. From there, he went on to play in the MLB minor leagues. After that, he started coaching. He coached both football and track at the high school and junior college levels. And, in addition to his athletic career, he also work at Nike.

Then after all of that, he decided to become a PGA Professional.

Join us Wednesday, Valentine’s Day. We are going to talk golf Mr. Ralph Sheffield and hear about what made him decide to join the PGA and what it is like for him now that he is a member.

Topics & Goals

  1. Housekeeping: Genesis Invitational road trip on Saturday, the 17th.
  2. Q & A session with Mr. Sheffield.
  3. Use this link to join the Golf Talk at 6:30 p.m.
  4. Change. Think. Golf.

Feb 12-18: Strategy

Objective

The word for the week is determined; 1 : firmly resolved; 2 : not weak or uncertain. Determined is to be intent, purposeful, resolute, resolved, set, committed. The foundation for any solid strategy is having the determination to see it through.

But equally important, you must be realistic. We have to make sure the students understand the importance of learning to enjoy the process. They will fail. But they have to learn to be creative and figure things out. They must be determined to learn to move past the mistakes and celebrate small successes. They must be determined to continue to move forward towards their goals. They have to figure it out.

They must figure out who can help them. Then, they must be determined about what they must do to progress and when they need to do it. In the end, everything is up to them.

Notes & Activities

  1. Genesis procedures? How many confirmed?
  2. Golf Talks session: Ralph Sheffield, PGA member in training. Started really late.
  3. Gear distribution.
  4. Swing basics.
    • The swing sequence: start behind the ball | check your grip | check your space | good posture | balanced swing.
    • Give yourself a chance to succeed.
    • Focus on sending the ball to the target.
    • Learn to put the face on the ball so it goes where you want.
    • Long shots are the same as short shots with a longer swing.
    • Be determined.
    • Accept the results. Celebrate small success. Move forward.
  5. Drills

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The Long Game

The second week of each month we focus on strategy and managing obstacles. Strategies equal plans. Tactics are the steps we take to complete them.
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The Journal is the latest news, thoughts, and conversations on being Sixtyone.

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Sixtyone Country Club simple crest logo.

The Journal is the latest news, thoughts, and conversations on being Sixtyone.

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Welcome to our blog. This is a running conversation thoughts, news, and events to help change the way we all think about golf.

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The secret to golf enjoyment

The last week of each month we focus on fun. At Sixtyone, fun equals the enjoyment from both physical and mental fitness.

According to ancient philosopher, Epictetus, the only way to happiness is to stop worrying about things out of our control. To be fair, Epictetus probably never played a golf shot from an elevated tee box during the magic hour before sunset. But, he was definitely on to something. In order to always enjoy golf, the first skill you should develop is resilience.

Resilience is the basis for the “separate the purpose from the goal” section in our code. In order to have fun, you have to be able to adjust to the misfortunes that are unavoidable on the golf course. You have to, like Epictetus suggests, stop worrying about the things not in your control and focus on the things you can control. And when you first start playing golf, neither the club or the ball are in your control. As a matter of fact, seasoned golfers also have problems controlling the club and ball. Stop worrying about outcomes or what you look like when making a swing. The game is about controlling what you can and adjusting to the things you can’t.

So, practice.

Hit the ball. Go find it. Hit it again.

Then practice some more.

P.S. Have you ever played a shot from an elevated tee box during the magic hour before sunset? If you haven’t, you should.

Change. Think. Golf.

 

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