[Saqwnht]

Interesting topic. Golf is a funny game though. At one time or another I have birdied every hole but one on my home course. That tells me that I have some ability to play this game.

BUT, I have to remind myself what I am capable of doing. And in golf that can be a very difficult thing to do. For example, have you ever shot a really good score one day and a really bad one the next? Same person. Same equipment. Same course. Same weather. What happened from one day to the next?

Where does consistency come from and why is it so hard to achieve? Single digit handicappers have it, but the majority of us don't. Does it come from practice, if so, how much? Does it come from our attitude as we start the round? Natural ability? Was the PGA correct when they said that if a golfer has been playing for three years their game at the end of year three is probably as good as it will get. I doubt it, but they must have some stats to back that up.

Positive thinking can play a role, but it's just one of many roles in golf. Believing and saying, "I just know I will drive this 540 yard par five," may sound good but will it happen? Probably not.

Even if I am having a bad hole I will try to derive some positive benefit from it. For example, if I am lying six next to the green on a par four, instead of thinking about that I'll focus on getting up and down. I won't think about the eight I just scored, but the up and down I just made.