Lesson #1 - It's Not About Learning To Hit The Ball Better
Yes, this may sound stupid, but the secret to playing better golf and having more fun doing it isn't hitting better shots. No, this isn't a trick or some crazy thought. The secret to playing better golf and having more fun while you do it is missing shots better. What I mean by this is that anyone can hit 20 great shots a round, but how many bad ones happened around them? You see, you will need to hit 36 good shots and 36 good putts to shoot even par, but chances are, you will hit at least 10 bad ones that could ruin a good round. By minimizing those missed opportunities, and missing shots better, you will bring yourself back to hitting those 36 good ones faster.
Lesson #2 - It's Not About Swinging Harder
When most people think this though, that scene in Tin Cup, where Roy challenges David to a 7 iron distance contest pops into their heads. You know, giving the ball the old 'steroid jerk' as he says in that famous scene. Well, Simms proceeds to follow up a long 7 iron from Roy by flipping around and hitting the ball down the road with a nice, easy swing. It's pretty simple to get caught up in hitting the ball as hard as you can, when really, you'll usually have plenty of distance if you just relax and make good, clean contact with the ball. Swing smoother, not harder. The clubhead will come through the zone with plenty of speed to get the ball there - and if it's too far, grab a longer club or lay up.
Lesson #3 - It's Not About What Your Partner Hits
"What did you hit there?" That question is muttered on tee boxes all over the world on a daily basis. First off, it's technically illegal to ask this of a playing partner, but more importantly, it's not something that even matters unless you know about 10 other pieces of information. Sure, they hit a 8 iron to the par three, but... Did they catch it clean? Did they hit a fade or a draw? Did they close the face at impact? Did they hit it where they were aiming? How far do they hit their 8 iron? etc... Without knowing everything about their shot, asking what they hit is pretty useless. Instead, look at the hole, analyze your own swing and game - even how that game is going that particular day - and make the best choice for your shot. You'll be much happier if you hit a great shot with your own information instead of hitting a bad shot with information from someone else.
Lesson #4 - It's Not About Equipment
While having all the gadgets and gizmos is great, or even having a new driver is inspiring, it really doesn't matter what you have in your bag as long as you know how to use it. You see, it's completely possible to shoot even par with a 150 yard club and a putter at most courses. 300 yard par 4's are reachable in two and 450 yard par 5's are just as easy. Instead of worrying about having the right club for circumstances that you will see once in a blue moon, or spending $500 on a putter or driver, take the time to learn what you already have, then find the holes that you need to plug later. Now, I'm not saying you should skimp too much on your gear, but there's no need to fall in love with a Scotty Cameron putter that you will use to putt out for a 102.
Lesson #5 - It's Not About One Hole
One of the hardest things in golf is recovering from a really bad hole. That hole where a drive sails out of bounds or a 3 putt turns a par into a double bogey. Maybe it's a tree that just seems to be a bit too much tree and not enough air to get through. It's a very easy thing to allow that one hole to derail a round. Imagine trudging along through your round at one or two over par and then hitting a drive out of play. You then hit a decent driver to recover, but then skull your fourth shot over the green. A duffed chip leads to a long putt for 6 and a miss there makes you card a 7. It's going to happen some day, and all you can hope is that you are prepared to recover from it when it does. Put the last hole out of your mind before you hit the next tee box - whether it was good or bad - and get ready for the next hole.
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