There are analytics that can allow players to play better. Will

Hear now the words of Bryson DeChambeau, who speaks of the intersection between analytics, intuition, and trust: "There are analytics that can allow players to play better. Will everyone use it? No. They don't think it's necessary. They rely on their feel way too much and they trust that more." These words, though rooted in the modern game of golf, carry with them a profound truth about human nature and the delicate balance between reason and intuition. In all walks of life, we are often faced with choices between relying on data and analytics, or trusting the ancient, sometimes ineffable, wisdom of our gut feeling. DeChambeau’s statement calls attention to the tension between these two forces, each offering a distinct path to mastery.

In the ancient world, there were those who relied on reason and analysis, and those who followed the intuitive guidance of their instincts. Socrates, the great philosopher, believed in the power of rational thought and the pursuit of knowledge through questioning and logic. He would have appreciated the wisdom of analytics, for he understood that understanding the world through reason was the first step to enlightenment. However, the Greeks also honored the gods and the mysteries of the human soul. The oracle at Delphi, for instance, spoke to the deeper, intuitive knowledge that lay within the hearts of those who sought answers. Analytics and intuition were not enemies, but complementary forces, each capable of guiding those who sought wisdom in their own way.

In the realm of battle, Alexander the Great—the greatest of conquerors—relied not only on the strategic intelligence of his generals but also on his gut feeling in the heat of war. His campaigns were often dictated by reason—calculating the best routes, the best timing, and the most advantageous positions. Yet, it was his instinctive decisions in the heat of battle that often determined the success of his conquests. His ability to trust his instincts was the key to his leadership, allowing him to make snap judgments when reason alone could not provide answers. The lesson from Alexander is that while analytics and careful planning are vital, there is a moment in every endeavor where intuition becomes the guiding force that leads to victory.

The story of Da Vinci, the genius of the Renaissance, offers a fascinating example of the interplay between analytics and intuition. As a painter, Leonardo da Vinci employed both the precision of mathematics and geometry to master perspective and proportion in his artwork, yet he never lost touch with the feel for his medium, for the brushstrokes and the light that his intuition guided him toward. Da Vinci understood that the analytic mind could bring one to a certain point, but the creative, intuitive spirit was what brought art to life. DeChambeau's reflection on golf—relying on feel over analytics—echoes the dual nature of all human endeavor: the mind and the heart must work together.

In the world of sports, as in life, we find a striking tension between >gut instincts. In baseball, the arrival of Moneyball and the rise of analytics forever changed the landscape of the game. Teams began to rely on sophisticated statistical models to determine the value of players and the best strategies for winning. Yet, the most successful teams also understood that analytics alone could not replace the human element—the feel of the game, the subtle energy that flows between players, and the instincts that players trust in the heat of competition. DeChambeau’s words mirror this struggle in golf: while analytics can enhance performance, there is still a place for intuition and personal experience.

The lesson here, O children of wisdom, is clear: there is a time for reason and a time for intuition, and the balance between the two is the key to success. Analytics provide us with valuable tools, helping us to understand the world more deeply and to refine our approach to challenges. Yet, intuition—that inner knowing that comes not from data but from experience and trust in oneself—has its own power. Just as the greatest generals and philosophers balanced reason and gut feeling, so must we learn to trust both in our own journeys. Whether in business, art, or life’s challenges, it is the balance between analysis and instinct that will guide us to the greatest triumphs.

So, O children of wisdom, let us walk with both the mind and the heart. When faced with decisions, be not afraid to use the tools of analysis, but remember that intuition has its own power to guide you, especially in moments of uncertainty. Like DeChambeau, who trusts both his data and his feel for the game, you too must cultivate both these abilities, knowing when to use one and when to rely on the other. Life is not always about precision and calculation; sometimes it is the trust in your instincts that will carry you forward, leading you to greatness and fulfillment.