CONSISTENCY IS A MYTH: WHY THE C-WORD IS RUINING YOUR GAME
G'day golfers. If you have ever filled out a survey for me or stepped onto my coaching tee on the Gold Coast, you have probably used what I call the C-word. No, not that one—I grew up on rough courses around old British workingman’s clubs, so a bit of swearing doesn't phase me. I’m talking about consistency.
To me, consistency is the ultimate swear word in golf and it is probably the number one reason you are getting worse, not better.
THE DEFINITION PROBLEM
Most people think consistency means doing the exact same thing, in the exact same way, every single time. You want the same swing, the same strike, and a ball that consistently finds the middle of the fairway.
I get it. I used to chase that ghost too. But here is the cold, hard truth: consistency is a myth. You are a human being, not a robot. Even the pros you watch on TV aren't consistent in the way you think they are. You are watching a highlights package of the guys who happened to find it that week. You aren't seeing the blokes who missed the cut hitting the same bad shots you do.
WHY YOU ARE NOT A ROBOT
I once heard a neuroscientist laughing about the idea of a consistent golf swing. He said if you actually understood the insane chemical processes, nervous system firings, and muscle sequences required to do the exact same physical movement twice in a row, you’d realize you have a better chance of winning the lotto.
We aren't wired for repetition. We are wired for problem-solving. That is what put humans at the top of the food chain—our ability to adapt and solve problems using our brains. Golf is a problem-solving sport, not a game of perfect repetition.
GOOD ENOUGH IS THE NEW PERFECT
If you want to lower your scores, you need to stop chasing perfect and start embracing a concept I call Good Enough. This is something I picked up from my mentor Jay Cook, and it will transform your mental game.
Instead of blowing up because you hit a toe-cut that finished in the light rough, I want you to ask yourself four simple questions after every shot. If you can say yes to these, the shot was good enough:
Is the ball closer to my target than when I started?
Can I find the ball? (Is it out of the lake and the tiger country?)
Do I have a clear swing at it?
Can I progress the ball toward my next target?
If the answer is yes, then shut up, get over it, and move on. Solve the next problem.
THE ROI ON YOUR TEMPER
The difference between a pro and a weekend warrior isn't that the pro is a robot; it's that their bad shots aren't as bad as yours. They don't let a poor strike turn into an eight or a nine on the scorecard.
When you set unrealistic expectations for consistency, you get angry when you don't meet them. Anger leads to high emotions, and high emotions lead to terrible decisions. Those three or four holes where you lose your head are what is killing your round.
By adopting the Good Enough mindset, you drop the frustration, stay logical, and stop the bleeding. That is how you actually lower your handicap without needing a brand-new swing.
STOP THE SEARCH
Stop trying to be a robot and start being a better problem solver. If you can manage your bad shots and stay in the game, your scores will tumble.
If you want a reminder to keep in your bag, grab my Good Enough checklist below. Print it out, stick it on your bag, and use it next time you feel a blowout coming on.
Ready to Break Your Bad Golf?
If you’re a local player and you’ve been waiting for the right time to seriously improve your game — this is it.
Right now is the ideal time to join our 9 Shots Lower in 9 Weeks program.
Why 9 Shots Lower Works
The 9 Shots Lower program is designed to do more than just give you great information. It’s built to lock in the right habits with:
A clear 9-week structure
Weekly feedback and accountability
Ongoing support so improvements actually stick
If you want faster, more reliable results — this is the program that delivers them.
Click here to learn more about my Breaking Bad Golf programs.
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The Gold Coast offers a range of options including Emerald Lakes, Palm Meadows, Hope Island, Southport, and Coolangatta-Tweed. Paul Williamson provides personalised on-course coaching that goes beyond traditional lessons, covering skills, strategy, and mental game in real playing conditions.
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One-hour lessons provide quick tips but rarely translate under course conditions. Paul’s on-course coaching uses 9-hole assessments to build a tailored plan that actually drops strokes from your scorecard.
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Paul Williamson, a PGA Professional with 30+ years’ experience, provides personalised on-course coaching at courses around Carrara, Hope Island, Robina, Southport, Coolangatta-Tweed, and the broader Gold Coast.
