| If you think that you don't leave shots out on the | | | | a tad more speed to get it to the hole. And you |
| course you are dead wrong. And I know you | | | | see that there is a slight break left to right. How |
| would love to have them back. | | | | much you are not sure, but you know that your |
| Here is a short list of added strokes to your | | | | very best guess is a ball outside the hole. So that |
| score that you are familiar with. | | | | is what you are going to do. Final answer: You will |
| You missed a three foot putt,you lagged it way | | | | hit it a tad harder than you think you need to and |
| past the hole,and missed coming back,you chipped | | | | aim a ball width outside the cup. |
| it over the green,it took 3 to get it out of the | | | | Or this: It's a par five and you have laid up with |
| greenside bunker,you chunked your chip,twice,you | | | | your second shot to a perfect 100 yards to the |
| skulled it,you whiffed it, (that counts),you had an | | | | center of the green. Normally it's a solid Pitching |
| easy pitch and looked up,you stubbed your chip | | | | wedge at this distance. But you feel and bit of |
| shot,you stubbed it again,you hit the wrong ball, | | | | wind in your face. The pin is back and there is a |
| You bladed your wedge,you hit the ground first | | | | lateral hazard not far behind the green. |
| with you putter,you didn't read the break,you | | | | What to do. |
| forgot about the grain,you didn't think it was that | | | | You decide that if you move up a club to a nine |
| fast,you didn't believe what you saw for a | | | | and hit it flush you may end up over the green. If |
| break,you didn't think it was that slow,it was uphill | | | | you hit the wedge and miss it you will be short |
| dummy,you missed an easy straight in putt for | | | | but safe. You decide to play it safe and you know |
| bogeyyou shanked it out of bounds with you | | | | that decision fits your game. |
| wedge | | | | So ........ you are committed to do this shot, there is |
| I will bet that this is the short list and that some | | | | no reason to fear the results. You have seen it in |
| of your extra shots are not on the list, add them | | | | your head and you have done it before. You have |
| if you want. | | | | made the plan now just do it! |
| So what's the deal here? We all do it. Come on | | | | What happens? You take a normal shot with no |
| admit it, you do it, I do it, the PGA and LPGA | | | | worries. A full backswing, no worries about being |
| players do it. They and we all add unnecessary | | | | long and into the hazard, short doesn't bother you |
| shots to our score. We can always look back at a | | | | here, life is good. You take your backswing, you |
| round and find a few shots that we would love to | | | | take your normal downswing, no deceleration |
| have back. Why? Mainly because we know that it | | | | here, none needed. You had a plan and you |
| has absolutely nothing to do with the actual skill of | | | | executed the plan. Committed! Oh, by the way, " |
| executing a swing or a putt. It has to do with | | | | nice shot" |
| what is between our ears. Our attitude. our | | | | And of course you know perfectly well that the |
| mental preparations. And our overall approach to | | | | mental side of this game is nearly as hard as the |
| the game, our competitive edge. | | | | physical side. Thing is, it won't require a lot of |
| And for this we need to concentrate more and | | | | practice. You can decide to do it and then as if by |
| try less. What you say? That is correct. Do the | | | | magic, you do it. The brain will do it for you. Your |
| hard work first. Decide what do to with the shot | | | | job? Let it!! |
| you are facing. Make a concerted effort to | | | | After you have done this part, you can work on |
| actually make a decision and plan it. It only takes | | | | putting strokes, bunker shots, pitches, chips and |
| a moment or so to do it. And then do the plan! | | | | those bump and run wedge shots that you |
| Here is an example: | | | | wished you could do better. |
| You have an uphill putt, you know that it will take | | | | |