| There are many times that you will feel | | | | that you will learn from them. You won't. Get |
| discouraged with your game of golf, however, | | | | a golf training DVD and practice as much as |
| nothing is worse than false discouragement | | | | you can in the backyard or on the driving |
| which can destroy your interest in playing | | | | range. Tip 3 Do not increase your betting |
| golf forever. | | | | when you will have to come from behind to |
| | | | win. You will just get more upset about |
| Crash! The clubs hit the floor in the corner | | | | losing more money on the golf course! Tip 4 |
| of the changing rooms. Thump! The sound that | | | | Do not bet against poorer golfers if they |
| the golfer made, dropping heavily onto the | | | | demand handicaps which will almost certainly |
| bench after another bad round. "I am gonna | | | | ensure their winning. Tip 5 Do not attempt |
| sell those darn clubs and get a new hobby!". | | | | golf shots you do not have in your bag. |
| The ensuing silence was punctuated only by | | | | Unless you practice a tricky golf shot, it is |
| the others, changing as quietly as they | | | | almost certainly going to fail under the |
| could. They recognised the signs of false | | | | stress of playing it cold in a comp. Tip 6 Do |
| discouragement but knew better than to speak | | | | not lie about your golf score or true |
| at that time. After all, this latest defeat | | | | handicap. It is better psychologically to win |
| was aginst a gal who could beat the club pro | | | | in a lower flight than to lose in a higher |
| 50% of the time so losing by 8 strokes was | | | | one. Play at the right level for your skills. |
| really a good achievement. Trouble was, the | | | | Tip 7 Do not concede any putts to yourself or |
| golfer had been playing better players | | | | your opponent that can be missed. You may |
| regularly for a couple of months now and had | | | | think you are playing badly, when in reality |
| not won much. False discouragement (which is | | | | you are playing your regular game. Tip 8 Do |
| discouragement not based on facts) can place | | | | not pull against your golf opponent. Tip 9 Do |
| you in a position of defeat. Repeated defeats | | | | not play with people who increase your |
| are not good for your ego. You must have some | | | | anxiety. Avoid being stressed if you fluff a |
| successes to keep from getting discouraged. | | | | shot that you normally make. It is OK not to |
| 30 minutes later in the 19th, over a glass of | | | | be perfect! And here is a bonus tip - keep a |
| carrot juice (OK then, I admit, it was really | | | | journal so that you can see how well you are |
| beer), the golfers buddies plucked up the | | | | really playing golf, especially important |
| courage to talk. From that conversation came | | | | when playing out of your league. So when you |
| these practical golf tips that any golfer can | | | | are feeling discouraged, think of the good |
| use to avoid false discouragement ... Tip 1 | | | | shots that you usually play. Get things in |
| Do not play with golfers (on a regular basis) | | | | perspective, if you played Tiger or the Great |
| who are better than you are unless the | | | | White Shark, would you expect to win? Hey, |
| handicaps are such that you win at least half | | | | golf is supposed to be a game of fun...keep |
| of the time. Tip 2 Do not limit yourself to | | | | it that way and you can enjoy it for the rest |
| players who always outdrive you in the hope | | | | of your life. |