Ernie Els Quotes

Powerful Ernie Els for Daily Growth

About Ernie Els

Ernie Els, born on October 17, 1968, in Johannesburg, South Africa, is a globally acclaimed professional golfer and a prominent figure in the sport's history. Known as 'The Big Easy', Els turned professional in 1992 and quickly made his mark, winning the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand just months after his debut. Els was heavily influenced by his father, who introduced him to golf at an early age. The family lived near a golf course, and Ernie would often spend hours there, honing his skills. His professional career took off under the guidance of coach Eddie Merrins. One of Els's most significant achievements came in 1994 when he won the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club. This victory marked his first major championship and cemented his place among the sport's elite players. Over the course of his career, he has gone on to win four more majors: The Open Championship in 2002, 2012, and 2014, and the U.S. Open again in 2010. Els is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Ernie Els & Fancourt Foundation, which supports underprivileged children in South Africa by providing them with education, healthcare, and sports facilities. In terms of major works, Els's autobiography, 'Easy Does It', provides an insightful look into his life and career. The book, co-written with sportswriter Dana Gordon, offers a unique perspective on Els's approach to golf and life. Today, Ernie Els continues to compete at the highest level of professional golf, inspiring fans around the world with his grace under pressure and easygoing demeanor. His impact on the sport extends far beyond the green, making him one of golf's most beloved figures.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Golf is a frustrating Mistress but a satisfying Mistress."

Ernie Els' quote highlights that golf, like a difficult romantic partner (the "frustrating mistress"), can be challenging and disappointing at times due to its unpredictable nature and the constant struggle for improvement. However, in the end, the rewards of mastery and personal growth make it all worthwhile, thus fulfilling the metaphorical role of a satisfying partner or experience (the "satisfying mistress"). This quote captures the duality of golf: its demanding yet rewarding essence that keeps players engaged despite its frustrations.

"I've learned that no matter how good you get you can always get better, and that the day you admit it's over is the day you'll start to go backward."

This quote by Ernie Els emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and improvement in one's skills or abilities. It suggests that even if someone achieves a high level of competence, they should never stop striving for self-improvement because there is always room to grow. The second part of the quote underscores the danger of complacency. Once an individual believes they have reached their peak and accepts that improvement is no longer possible, their progress may start to decline as motivation wanes. This quote serves as a reminder that the pursuit of excellence is a lifelong journey and growth mindset is essential for continued success and personal development.

"Golf is a game where you have to learn to accept frustration as part of the game. If you love it enough, you will learn to take the bad with the good."

This quote highlights the unique blend of joy and struggle that characterizes golf, and perhaps any pursuit requiring skill, patience, and perseverance. The game necessitates learning to cope with frustration, acknowledging it as an inherent part of the experience. If one truly cherishes golf, they will grow to appreciate the ups and downs, embracing both triumph and setback. This acceptance of the full spectrum of emotions is crucial in nurturing a resilient mindset that can ultimately lead to personal growth and improved performance.

"I don't mind being No. 2 to Tiger Woods, but I'd rather be No. 1."

This quote by Ernie Els signifies a healthy competitive spirit and ambition. While he acknowledges and respects the skill of his contemporary, Tiger Woods, he expresses a personal desire to achieve the top rank in golf, being No. 1. It reflects both humility towards a peer and individual drive for greatness, demonstrating that even as a highly-skilled golfer himself, Ernie Els strives for excellence in his field.

"It's amazing how much you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

This quote by Ernie Els emphasizes the importance of selfless dedication to a goal rather than personal recognition or credit. It suggests that when one focuses on the outcome rather than their own glory, they are more likely to achieve significant results. This mindset encourages teamwork, collaboration, and progress, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.

Right before I start the putter back, I think about making solid contact. This brings your attention to the back of the ball and helps keep your head still at impact, which is a must. Many amateurs take a peek down the line too soon, and that can cause all sorts of mis-hits.

- Ernie Els

Line, I Think, Before, Amateur

Before you take your address, while you're still reading the putt, imagine the ball tracking on the line you've chosen and falling into the cup. If you don't believe you can make every putt, why bother trying?

- Ernie Els

Why, Line, Before, Putt

Unless it's a dead-straight short putt, you should focus on a spot somewhere along the line you want to roll the ball on.

- Ernie Els

Want, Line, Roll, Putt

For the average player, most three-putts happen because of a poorly judged first putt from long range.

- Ernie Els

Average, Happen, Poorly, Putt

Contours on the second half of a long putt have more impact on how the ball rolls because it's going slower. Adjust your speed if that last part is playing uphill or downhill. Don't get fooled by an early slope or break.

- Ernie Els

Part, Your, Half, Putt

It is just a crazy life as a sportsman. My daughter, Sam, wants to go into tennis, and I tell her, 'No, you don't want to go into professional sport.'

- Ernie Els

Want, Go, Tell, Sportsman

Make a conscious effort to loosen your hands and let your arms feel soft when you're at address. Take the club back a bit shorter, and feel as if you're cracking a whip on the way down - not tensing up to smash something hard.

- Ernie Els

Hands, Feel, Back, Cracking

Brushing up on your short game at the practice area is fine and good, but taking it with you to the golf course - when your score is really on the line - is another story.

- Ernie Els

Game, Practice, Area, Brushing

Mondays are a good day to make statements, not Friday.

- Ernie Els

Day, Good, Statements, Friday

In 2002, the 2000 Engelbrecht Els wine was released in South Africa and received high ratings.

- Ernie Els

High, Africa, South Africa, Ratings

Grip pressure - not mechanical flaws - is the biggest factor when you're nervous. You unconsciously grip it tighter, which keeps you from making a smooth swing with a natural release. Keep your grip pressure light, and you'll be surprised how much your mechanics stabilize.

- Ernie Els

Release, Mechanical, Your, Factor

For the most part, when you play a full shot from the primary rough at your course, you're gauging how close to a standard shot you can hit based on your lie in the grass.

- Ernie Els

Play, Standard, Based, Primary

I use a 1994 South African 5 rand coin to mark my ball. It reminds me of my '94 U.S. Open win at Oakmont.

- Ernie Els

Use, South, South African, Reminds

For a 7-iron, you never want the ball to be closer to your left heel than just slightly ahead of the mid-point of your stance. That's especially true if you're a tall player, like me.

- Ernie Els

Ahead, Like, Slightly, Heel

Your longest drives will come when you feel you're swinging at 75 percent.

- Ernie Els

Will, Longest, Drives, Swinging

When I'm swinging the club at my best, it's because I'm not thinking about mechanics at all. I feel like my body is loose. My arms are soft in front of me when I'm setting up, and my chest and shoulders feel as if they can move and turn easily.

- Ernie Els

Feel, Shoulders, About, Swinging

Swinging harder with a longer club almost always leads to bad shots.

- Ernie Els

Bad, Always, Longer, Swinging

I'd like to win the Masters and the PGA and complete the career Grand Slam.

- Ernie Els

Career, Like, Grand Slam, Slam

Check the card before you play. If you have a couple of long par 3s, put an extra hybrid in your bag. You'll be glad you did.

- Ernie Els

Play, Couple, Par, Card

You should never get set over the ball and then aim your putter face. If you do it in that order, you can easily lose sight of your intended line. Instead, aim the face down your line first, then settle your body into position.

- Ernie Els

Aim, Settle, Line, Putter

From a good lie in the middle of a fairway bunker, I'll make the same swing as I do from an average fairway lie. I'll dig my feet in slightly and keep my lower body stable so I won't slip, but I don't change my club selection or setup. It's only when the ball is sitting down in the sand that I'll make some modifications.

- Ernie Els

Feet, Average, Slightly, Sitting

Because of the grass and open face, I take one more club for shots from the rough, unless the ball is sitting on top of dry grass. Then, I use more loft and swing softer, trying to hit it about 70 percent to avoid a flyer over the green.

- Ernie Els

Use, Rough, About, Sitting

When you're hitting a fairway wood, you've got a lot of real estate to cover to get to your target. Your first instinct is probably to give it a little more power because you're worried about coming up short.

- Ernie Els

Instinct, About, Your, Wood

One of my tendencies is to let the ball drift too far forward in my stance, and it's something I've been working on with David Leadbetter.

- Ernie Els

Forward, Been, Tendencies, Drift

You don't have to be long off the tee, and we know the amazing effect an Open crowd can have if you're on your game and how they can lift you.

- Ernie Els

Game, Crowd, Your, Lift

The biggest mistake is trying to pinch down on the ball and ripping out a big divot, often hitting the ground before the ball. You'll dig up some turf, but you won't create much backspin.

- Ernie Els

Mistake, Big, Pinch, Ripping

When you get to the tee on a really long par 5, I know what you're feeling. You want to let the shaft out on the driver and try to bomb it down there. I get the same feeling. But a big tee shot is not always the best strategy, especially on a long hole.

- Ernie Els

Best, Big, Bomb, Strategy

If you can hit your 3- and 5-woods with confidence from the fairway, par 5s become birdie opportunities, and 420-yard par 4s are a lot less scary.

- Ernie Els

Confidence, Par, Birdie, Fairway

I'm sure you have a hole at your course where you love to hit the tee shot. You can't wait to get up there and bomb away because the fairway is wide, or the hole always plays downwind.

- Ernie Els

Love, Wait, Always, Fairway

I almost never hit a shot all out, and I make a conscious effort to swing my long clubs just as I do my wedges. Keep this in mind when hitting your fairway woods.

- Ernie Els

Effort, Your, Almost, Fairway

I plot the par 5s back from the green and make my plan. If I can reach the green in two shots, I'm going to be aggressive off the tee. But if 's a three-shot hole, the goal changes. You want to put yourself in position to hit your favorite shot to the green.

- Ernie Els

Changes, Reach, Back, Aggressive

When I stay athletic with good posture and get the club away in a good position, I get through it better.

- Ernie Els

Better, Through, Away, Posture

The key is to hit the ball first, then the sand. Even if you catch it a bit thin, you'll still get plenty of run. Hitting it fat is what you want to avoid.

- Ernie Els

Want, Still, Plenty, Thin

From the rough, I'd use a 6-iron, play the ball back an inch or two and swing down on a steeper angle to catch the ball first. It also helps to aim slightly left and open the clubface at address. You'll get more height on the shot, and the club will cut through the grass more easily.

- Ernie Els

Play, Through, Slightly, Angle

There have been so many majors that got away, starting at Riviera in '95, taking a three-shot lead into the final round of the PGA and not winning.

- Ernie Els

Winning, Away, Been, Starting

Playing from deep grass is a fact of life in professional golf.

- Ernie Els

Deep, Golf, Fact, Grass

Throughout my career, I've been sponsored by several different equipment companies - Lynx, Titleist, Callaway.

- Ernie Els

Career, Been, Several, Sponsored

Some players like to change clubs around the green to hit high or low shots. I play all of my short-game shots with my 54-degree sand wedge and change my ball position to hit it higher or lower. I think it's easier to learn one club than four.

- Ernie Els

Play, Some, I Think, Higher

I think most amateurs dread playing a 180-plus-yard par 3 even more than a hard par 4. Part of it is psychological: You think you should be getting a breather, distance-wise, and instead, you get hit with a long iron or hybrid shot over trouble.

- Ernie Els

I Think, Part, Psychological, Iron

Ball position is everything in iron play. If you aren't careful about it, you can create some major problems in your game just by getting an inch or two off.

- Ernie Els

Game, Play, Some, Iron

During a tournament, I'm not thinking about mechanics at all. I'm in scoring mode.

- Ernie Els

About, Mode, Scoring, Mechanics

The good kind of spin - backspin - comes from hitting the ball cleanly, then making a divot after impact.

- Ernie Els

Impact, Kind, Making, Spin

Spin is a tricky thing. When you're trying to avoid it - say, on a tee shot, where sidespin puts you in the trees - it's easy to make it happen.

- Ernie Els

Trees, Say, Happen, Spin

With shorter clubs, your ball position should be just back of middle, to really promote hitting the ball first on a downward strike.

- Ernie Els

Middle, Strike, Downward, Promote

I prefer old-world wines like Lafite Rothschild and Margaux.

- Ernie Els

Like, Prefer, Wines

I have to believe that if I keep doing what I'm doing, the results will reflect that, and I'll give myself plenty more opportunities to win.

- Ernie Els

Doing, Give, Will, Opportunities

For all the fun, don't forget: I always knew when to put my golf balls down and practice.

- Ernie Els

Practice, Balls, Always, Golf Balls

Something I've really enjoyed learning more about is course design.

- Ernie Els

Design, More, About, Enjoyed

I've got my life. I'm very serious about my business. I've got my family. And I've got my game.

- Ernie Els

Game, My Life, Very, Serious

You probably don't hit as many fairway-bunker shots as you do the greenside ones, and that unfamiliarity might make you a bit nervous.

- Ernie Els

Might, Many, Bit, Shots

You have to know how to read your lie and take a calculated risk when you hit out of the rough.

- Ernie Els

Lie, Rough, Read, Calculated

There's so much more to life than golf. Family is always first.

- Ernie Els

More, Always, Than, Golf

I never thought I'd be comfortable living outside South Africa, but we love London. Our two kids were born here.

- Ernie Els

Love, Here, South Africa, London

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