Own your Game.

Golf is the only sport where you compete against yourself and act as your own referee. This paradox challenges golfers at all levels and illuminates a simple truth: the only person keeping you honest out there is you.

We’ve all seen it. The scramble team that “shoots” 53 when the next best score is 60. The high-handicapper who somehow fires a 72 in a local event. Less egregiously, it’s often small things—the gimme three-footer after a rushed tap-in that lips-out, the extra club-length from a hazard to get a shot at the green, the breakfast ball we justify because “the first one didn’t count.” Each of these moments feels harmless, but they rob us of something vital: the chance to assess ourselves honestly.

If you want to get better, leave your ego behind and own your game—every choice and every result, good or bad. When you choose to play for score, you choose accountability. That means no do-overs, no bending the rules, no excuses. It also means accepting that you’ll leave shots out there. Playing honestly earns you something far more valuable than a low number: clarity. You’ll see your tendencies, understand your weak points, and get real feedback to help you learn and grow. At a minimum, I guarantee you’ll immediately start choosing smarter targets, swinging more conservatively, and respecting every putt.

Own your successes. Own your misses. Because when you do, every round—good or bad—becomes progress you can trust.