| In order to play good golf you need a good golf | | | | 3. Be vigilant about aim. The ball will only go where |
| swing. By all means, take lessons and spend time at | | | | you aim it. Even a perfect swing and a perfect strike |
| the range practicing what you learned. Even with all | | | | will send the ball only where it's aimed. Doesn't that |
| that, the swing you develop will lead to lower scores | | | | make sense? And the better your swing gets, the |
| only if you prepare yourself wisely before each shot. | | | | more important aim is, since aiming right at your |
| Base that preparation on these four principles. | | | | target is the only way that hard work can pay off. |
| 1. Swing with an awareness of a calm mind rather | | | | Find the line from the ball to your target, set the club |
| than awareness of good technique. In order for the | | | | down behind the ball, aligning the grooves on the |
| technique you have taught yourself to emerge, your | | | | clubface square to that line, and take your stance, |
| conscious mind must be calm. That allows it to listen | | | | one foot at a time, square to the grooves. With only |
| to your subconscious mind, where your learning is | | | | a little practice you will be aimed straight at your |
| stored. | | | | target, and that's where your good swing will send |
| You wouldn't listen to someone else standing beside | | | | the ball. |
| you and giving you all sorts of swing reminders, | | | | 4. Put accuracy above distance. Everyone wants to |
| would you? Don't listen yourself do that, either. Calm | | | | hit the ball farther. Why not? Golf is easier to play |
| your mind, be at peace with what you are about to | | | | when you can hit the ball a long way. It's only easier, |
| do, and your best swing will come out. | | | | though, if that extra length comes with no loss of |
| 2. A good swing flows out of a good setup. Really. | | | | accuracy. |
| You will never hear an argument from a good golfer | | | | Every month golf magazines have headlines on their |
| about this. A good setup is like a squarely-hung door. | | | | cover about how to hit the ball longer. You never |
| Such a door will turn smoothly on its hinges, latch | | | | see headlines about hitting the ball straighter, because |
| easily, and not stick on the door jamb. | | | | that doesn't sell magazines. Length does. Do not let |
| A good setup sets up the geometry of your swing | | | | that fool you into thinking that longer is better. |
| so the club will return to the ball right where it began. | | | | Straighter is. When your shots start to straighten |
| Put a good swing in a bad setup and good shots | | | | out, the extra yards will be attached. |
| would be a matter of luck. Spend time learning a | | | | Want to bring your swing from the range to the |
| good setup and practice it, by itself, as much as you | | | | course? Follow these four principles and you'll do that |
| practice hitting balls. The rewards for doing so are | | | | every time out. |
| great. | | | | |