Lucas Spahl Discusses The Importance of Managing Expectations

Alex Elias

Courtesy of Evan Schiller (@evan_schiller_photography)

Managing expectations is one of golf’s greatest challenges.

“I believe there’s a common misconception among amateur golfers about what constitutes realistic goals for their game. Too often, amateurs set their sights on the best possible outcome, which isn’t realistic for any player,” said Lucas Spahl, First Assistant Golf Professional at The Creek (Locust Valley, NY) and Assistant Golf Professional at McArthur Golf Club (Hobe Sound, FL).

When golfers set unrealistic goals—whether it’s hitting more fairways and greens or posting lower scores—Spahl emphasized the mental strain: “When your goals are too difficult to achieve, it can become incredibly draining.”

That mental strain can quickly snowball.

​“You can lose confidence, get down on yourself, and let negative thoughts take over,” said Spahl. “From personal experience, I’ve had rounds that started poorly, and it’s very difficult to recover or get off the ‘bogey train.’”

How to manage expectations:
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“To reset expectations, amateurs first need a clear understanding of what an average round looks like for them,” said Spahl. “Too often, they focus on the best possible outcome rather than a result that realistically aligns with their handicap. Once they recognize that, they can set achievable goals and tailor their practice to improve more effectively.”