Trust your 9-iron

As a freshman in college, I sat in my dorm room glued to the television during the 1999 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.  I watched in anticipation as the leaders approached the signature par-3 17th hole that included the famous island green.  The layout requires individuals to "drive the green."  As a result, there's a treasure trove of lost golf balls at the bottom of the bright blue lake.

That day, the hole played a little longer than 130-yards and the pin placement was near the front of the green.  There wasn't much room to play with.  Fred Couples was one of golf's premier players and he approached the hole with a 9-iron.  He hit the ball "fat" and ended up in the drink.  Without hesitation, he grabbed another ball, but kept his 9-iron.  The announcer said something along the lines of how Couples was a professional and knew his 130-yard club was indeed the 9-iron.  There was no second guessing his club selection despite hitting one into the water only moments before he teed up again.  In fact, in 1997 Couples was one of only six players in history to earn a hole-in-one on the 17th.  His confidence wasn't rattled because he knew exactly who he was and what he had.

What happened next?  Perfect swing with the 9-iron and a Bridgestone balata slam dunk.  No bounce, no spin, no roll; nothing but the bottom of the cup.  A penalty stroke for going in the water resulted in a par for Couples.  He went on to win the tournament.

This was a valuable lesson for me as an athlete and coach.  Often times, when faced with adversity like Couples on the 17th, we go to the bag and consider another club.  We doubt the game plan.  We question our strengths in moments when they don't seem so strong.  We wonder who we are and it forces us to reconsider what we're doing.  Real champions take ownership for mistakes, but they don't question who they are.  Couples didn't go to the bag or ask his caddy if he should grab another club.  He knew exactly who he was and what his strengths were.  Couples knew he needed his 9-iron at 130.  There was never a doubt.  When you know who you are, you know what to do.