A long time ago while learning to play golf, my friend's father said something that has stuck with me for a long time.
"Pauli, making that one foot putt is just as important as your long distance tee shot. They both count for 1 stroke".
I didn't really realize it at the time, because it seemed so obvious, but this simple statement is actually quite profound.
At the time I was spending all my time practicing golf by only going to the driving range. Learning to control and develop a better swing on long distance tee shots. Taking driving lessons, and only focusing on those long straight killer drives off the tee. Then when I'd get to the green while playing a real game, I'd screw it all up with some horrible four or five stroke putting. I never practiced putting because it looked so simple and effortless.
The lesson was, you can be awsome in every aspect of what your doing. But in the end, your only really as good as the single worst part of what your doing.
I carried this forward to many aspects of my life ever since. In building balsa model airplanes, you can make the most beautiful, squared-up & straight fuselage, the most perfect and well balanced wings and tail section, only to screw it all up with some horrible tissue job.
Or maybe build some out of shape, zebra cage of an airframe; yet it has a beautiful tissue & paint job.
Either way, your end model is only as good as its worst build feature.
Playing golf, just like building balsa model airplanes, is a skill that develops over time. I will just keep focusing on my own personal building areas that need more attention, and have fun while doing so. After all, that's what it's all about. Enjoying the game, and developing the skill(s) to do better the next time.
My hats off to those who have really mastered all aspects of either game.
Have a great weekend everyone,
Pauli72