Habits don’t disappear. They wait. In golf, as in life, the same patterns have a way of resurfacing when we stop paying attention. In this post, I reflect on lessons from my mini-tour days, Xander’s swing correction, and a simple journaling practice that helped me see the game—and myself—with more clarity.
The Swing Change That Doesn’t Stick
As a golf instructor, I’ve helped many players reach milestones they once only dreamed of—breaking 80, winning their club championship, or earning a college scholarship. But one lesson has stayed consistent over the past 20 years:
Every swing change has a shelf life.
It might look great for a few weeks. The feel might hold up through a few rounds. But eventually, the old swing tries to creep back in.
Old habits die hard.
A Hard-Learned Lesson in Tempe
Back when I was grinding on the mini-tours, I was based out of Tempe, AZ. One morning, after yet another disappointing round, I found myself back on the range—frustrated, sweating, and trying to fix my swing by sheer force of will.
There was an older head pro at the course who had taken a liking to me. He gave me great practice access and would drop in every now and then to watch or offer a word of advice. That day, he asked me something out of the blue:
“Do you keep a journal?”
I shook my head. I thought he meant something emotional—like writing out feelings to stay mentally balanced. I told him I didn’t need that.
He laughed.
“That’s not what I meant. I mean after you practice or play, just write two or three lines. What you worked on. What was good. What wasn’t. That’s it. Do it for three months, then read it back.”
So I tried it.
And he was right. Keeping even a few lines each day opened my eyes to patterns I would’ve missed otherwise. It’s the same lesson I later shared in Why Every Golfer Needs a Journal, where I explain how simple notes can shorten the gap between mistakes and solutions.
Seeing the Patterns
After a few months, I began to notice something. I thought I was constantly facing new problems with my swing. But in reality, I was fighting the same swing fault over and over again.
Every two months, like clockwork, it would come back.
At the time, it felt like chaos—one thing after another breaking down. But with the journal, I could see the patterns. My game wasn’t falling apart. My habits were resurfacing.
Over time, I stopped chasing fixes and started learning how to manage my patterns. I could recognize the symptoms before they got too far. I knew what corrections worked for my swing. I learned how to keep my game in check—not by making huge changes, but by staying aware.
Xander’s Habit Resurfacing
I saw the same lesson play out again with Xander.
Over the winter, we had worked hard on his takeaway. He had a habit of pulling the club inside early, which led to a slight over-the-top move during his transition. The real cause? A small shift of his head toward the golf ball at the start of his swing.
When we met for a practice session after the fundraiser outing, I could tell he had been working on his hands—but not the head movement. The old habit was sneaking back in, just in a different form.
So I reminded him:
“Old habits die hard. They always want to come back and hunt you. We need to learn to manage it.”
Swing changes aren’t always permanent. Sometimes it’s not about fixing—it’s about tracking. Staying aware. Watching for the early signs. Managing the pattern before it shows up on the scorecard.
The Same Rule Applies in Life and Business
Golf isn’t the only place this shows up.
We all have patterns—whether it’s how we lead, how we react under pressure, or how we handle stress. In business and in life, we think we’ve moved past something… until the situation changes and the old pattern sneaks back in.
A leader might work on being less reactive, only to fall back into old habits during a tough meeting. A parent might try to be more patient, until exhaustion sets in. The pattern isn’t gone. It’s just waiting for the right moment.
That’s why awareness is more valuable than force. That’s why consistency wins over intensity.
Change doesn’t come from a single decision—it comes from what we watch, what we record, and what we manage over time.
Just like in golf, the best way to grow isn’t to overhaul everything. It’s to track your tendencies, spot the symptoms early, and stay ahead of the habit.
A Simple Practice
If you’re looking to improve—your swing, your leadership, your mindset—try this:
Write two or three lines after each session.
- What did you work on?
- What felt good?
- What didn’t?
- What showed up again?
Do it for three months. Then look back.
You’ll see your patterns. You’ll recognize what’s real. And most importantly, you’ll learn to manage, not just react.
Final Thought
Whether it’s a young golfer like Xander or a mini-tour player grinding on the range, the principle is the same:
Improvement starts with awareness.
Old habits might not go away. But with the right attention, they don’t have to win.