[gypearteday]

I have been playing this game since 1972, and during that time I have played as much bad golf as any of you. Mainly during the early years, but I still have the odd 'one of those days' games even now. Thankfully I am much more proficient at it now.

For the first few years I used to beat myself up something awful when things went badly. Playing in a competition often made things worse as I then wanted to post a great score. Once I got my head around the fact that I was going to make mistakes and to accept the fact, I started playing better.

When I reached my late 20s early 30s and was married with 2 kids my priorities in life changed somewhat and I reached the point where when I play golf I don't give a s*** how good or bad I play so long as I am enjoying myself. The day I cease to enjoy it I will pack the game in.

Just put you game into perspective. We all loose our way a little during a game but the degree of it is usually relative to our ability in the first place.

I find the worst thing I can do during a game if things go wrong is to try to tinker with my swing. Always accept that the swing you have on the first tee is most likely going to be the one you will have to suffer throughout the day. Take a step back and look at the trend in your shots and play to them, and most of all try not to get up tight with every single shot. No matter how bad you think some of your shots may be, there is always someone out there worse than you.