Hopefully all of you are sticking to your News Year's Resolutions and you must believe lower scores and better golf is just around the corner. The key to consistency is how we will handle and react to inconsistency. Adversity is a part of life and when playing golf we must learn how to accept the big number.
     When following your favorite tour players this year, note how rare it is for them to follow a bad shot with another bad shot. Also, pay attention to when the first double bogey or more appears on their card, they will immediately follow with a string of pars. When things begin to go sour on the golf course, we have to know how to put the brakes on from a management standpoint. A common quote I use during an on course playing lessons is, "If you find yourself in jail, then you must figure out a way to get out of jail as soon as possible and not in a deeper mess." The following is my top ten list to course management:

     1. Stick with your address routine.
     2. Positive self talk before and after every shot from putt to drive is necessary.
     3. Never ever pull the trigger with more than one mechanical swing thought; "A quiet mind is a clear mind."
     4. To avoid temptation, always choose the club in which you feel most confident.
     5. On the tee box, choose the club with which you have the greatest chance of keeping the ball on or close to the short grass. "It is very difficult to score from the woods."
     6. If you cannot hit the green in regulation, play to the 100 yard marker. Everyone must learn what there 100 yard golf club is if score is important. Your 100 yard club ranks just behind your putter and driver in order of importance.
     7. If tension is your number one enemy, focus on your breathing to induce relaxation. Please don't take this tip too lightly because results will improve as your ability to relax improves.
     8. If you have not practiced a specific shot on the practice range, (Example: knockdown 3 wood with a fade) then don't expect to pull this shot off on the golf course. Leave the heroics for the 19th hole stories.
     9. Until you average more than six greens in regulation, always aim for the middle of the green and not for the flags. Remember, golf is a game of misses and a poor shot towards the middle of the green will usually fare much better than a poor shot towards a tucked pin.
     10. Golf is a game! Games are meant to be played! The connotation for play is to have fun and when we are having fun we smile a lot. People who smile are fun to be around. Therefore, to improve in your decision making, key on hitting shots that will make you smile.

      Word of the month: Believe

     Golf Affirmation of the week: I will smile as I hold my finish.

Ted Frick
2005 Carolinas PGA Section Teacher of the Year
Owner / Director of Instruction
Classic Swing Golf School (Located at Legends Resort)
P.O. Box 50955 Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 903-5560
1-800-827-2656
tfrick@classicswing.com
www.classicswing.com

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