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Frustration is widespread among golfers because golf is a very addictive and elusive sport. No sport other than tennis seems to grab hold of a person’s heart and soul like golf.

The golf swing can look so easy when appropriately executed yet feel so ugly when executed improperly. It’s a very humbling game.

Another very important factor that produces frustration is that golf is an inverse law. Slow is fast, right is left and up is down. Golf requires a person to be a student of the game. It takes many years to research, practice, and fully understand what it takes to build a productive swing, if one ever does. No one ever seems to perfect their game to their expectations.

Unlike other sports such as baseball or basketball, golfers compare themselves to the world-class professionals. That’s the first mistake — there is no comparison whatsoever. That’s like an amateur basketball player playing Steph Curry one-on-one. Let’s get real.

Be patient as you improve your game, and enjoy this great game called golf.

Rick Musselman, golf author and professional, is the founder of Musselman’s Golf in Williamsport.