By David Clay Director of Instruction, Houston National Golf Academy

Many people tell me, “I had three holes to play and needed pars to make my best score ever. I have been in this situation before and always blow it.”

Quite often your best score ever comes from an average front nine holes, and on the back nine you finish in a blaze of glory. What usually happens is that you are putting yourself under unnecessary pressure. The only thing you can control is now, and the shot at hand.

The tour player focuses on the shot at hand, and certainly isn’t thinking of holes coming up or holes gone. Only when he arrives at the shot he has to play, does he focus on that shot. By doing this, he is totally focused on the shot he is about to play. It is what we call “living in the now.” Also, he isn’t destracted by what he has already done. He gives 100% in the now.

Having hit the ball, you can learn from it but you have to let it go. This applies to any shot you have to play in golf, be it putting or any other shot. The only shot you can control is the one in front of you.

Another thought for you...it doesn’t stop you from looking at pin positions on upcoming holes if you can see them as you play. It helps to know how many yards the pin is on the green. Not every golf course you play will have a GPS system.

Keep in mind that your brain always goes to your currently dominant thought. So if you are telling yourself off about the last shot you hit or are getting over excited about the good score you have going, you are likely to find the wheel comes off. Remain calm and serene. Take some deep breaths to get more oxygen into your system. Smell the flowers and remember this isn’t a life or death situation. Remember, "Everyone gets butterflies in their stomach. The trick is to get those butterflies flying in formation!" ~Helen Hayes

Good Golfing,
David Clay