As a golfer, I have a set of expectations as to how I should play golf.

As I progress, the game takes over. It allows me to observe what I do and what happens as a result. That observation becomes my knowledge of how I play and how it is shaped by circumstances. Take the weather conditions, my knowledge of that specific course, the flight I’m playing with, my fitness, etc.

It sets some standards and thus expectations as I start a new round.

Every round and practice session allows for observation that then triggers related learning. It often invites a desire to practice and learn how to change my game, a desire that leads to new expectations.

But golf is a game of mistakes.

Every stroke adds a point to the score one wants to be as low as one’s ability allows. Every stroke will bring the ball to the place from which we’ll have to do the next stroke. Every stroke triggers a reaction putting us at risk to distract us from being present with the next stroke.

Mistakes can seem so present! And expectations can multiply the sense of their presence.

It’s easy to measure a golfer’s performance using the number of strokes needed to complete a round of golf. It is the measure by which a golfer may win a competition.

But it isn’t a measure of his playing level. A better measure might be the deviation of strokes from one round to another. The best measure will be how quickly the last shot is forgotten and focusing on the next shot becomes possible. That is the player’s ability to stay present.

One may conclude that the most important reason for one’s ability to play a good round of golf is the ability to align expectations with the reality of the game.

It rarely is what we see on TV. It is closer to what we learn from statistics and observing players over several years. However, observing others doesn’t tell us about their intention. That is where an overview of how we played and how it compares with our intentions will provide a clear image of our reality.

Expectations are demands on ourselves.

Such demands can only guide our achievements if they are focused on things that are within our control. Otherwise, they find themselves within fantasies, hopes, or dreams. That is somewhere between possibilities and pure imagination.

Consider golf a metaphor for leadership.