The Masters is incredible. Some would argue that it is the greatest sports weekend of the year and for most PGA golfing professionals winning the thing would be the pinnacle of their existence.
For me, on the other hand, the golf tournament is a fun, relaxing, weekend because I have no business competing in any golf tournament. It’s been a tradition to sit around and watch the final round on Sunday for as long as I can remember. Our family piles into the living room to watch in awe and marvel at the players who hole in and hole out bring their best to the tee box. We yell at the television when a putt doesn’t drop. We jump into the air and high five each other when one does. It’s fantastic.
This year was no different. My wife and I spent the afternoon lounging on the couch together while we watched our beloved event. I won’t tell you who fell asleep about halfway in!
As we watched the tournament this weekend, I observed a couple of points that might be useful to you on the topic of leadership. Here they are:
- It’s not about how you start. It’s about how you finish. No same player was on top of the leader board for consecutive days in this particular tournament. In fact, the winner wasn’t even in the lead after the least hole. It took a sudden death playoff for him to win. We can start strong, but if we as leaders do not have what it takes to finish what we start, then there is no reason for us to be in the game. Finish strong. Don’t give up even when you are in a sudden death situation.
- Even the best players minimize risk. Time after time I saw the greatest players in golf “lay up” when they could have gone for it all. Each one knows his strength is always in the fairway. Sometimes we as leaders take our shots from behind the trees expecting a great result when we should have laid up, regrouped, and shot for the pin with our eyes wide open. There are times and places for going for the gusto, but 9 times out of 10 your more conservative play is your best play. It’s your job to figure it out.
- The details can make or break you. You should ask for help, sometimes. The winner this year, said in an interview that he asked his caddy if he thought the putt he eventually sunk for the win would break at least a cup length. The caddy responded that it would break at least two cups. He took his advice and watched his putt roll into the hole for one massive pay day and a green jacket. This would not have been possible if he had not paid attention to detail and asked for help.
The Masters will be on again in a year. I’m sure our family tradition will continue. I just hope next year I can learn a thing or two again.
