Go with the Flow

"The great martial arts instructors talk often about pulling as your
opponent is pushing. What does this mean? Basically, it's a simple
way of maintaining balance.

Think of it this way...If your opponent pushes you in the chest with all of his force...and
you resist...it won't take long before you lose balance.

But if instead of resisting, you let your body step backward -- you
would easily keep balance. This is a great example of not fighting
the laws of nature.Another example is water. Imagine a river finding it's way.

It doesn't try and ram it's way trough a rock wall. It's just meanders
around the wall -- basically taking the path of least resistance.To me, great golf is a lot like these two examples.

And in turn, poor golf is like standing your ground against that
opponent - instead of stepping backward. Or, like water ramming
against the rock wall - instead of gently finding it's way around.How does that relate to you and the golf course?Too many times I see people struggle instead of taking what the
golf course gives. Or, for that matter, struggling with their game -- in a
quest for perfection -- instead of playing with what they have on
a given day...or just going with the flow.Tour professionals understand this.

Well, at least the best ones do.

They know that there are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of ways
to achieve the same result. And when it comes right down to it --
the result -- or a good score -- is all that matters.

On one day, their swing might be so good that getting around the
golf course is easy. But maybe their putting doesn't feel all that great.
So, even though their swing is great -- they still only manage two or
three under par.

But on the next day, their putter comes alive -- but their swing feel
goes slightly dormant. They hit less greens - but make lots of par
putts and take advantage of the greens they do hit.

But the net result is the same -- two or three under par.

They understand that golf is a marathon -- not a sprint -- so they
take this in stride. They'll wait for those days when everything clicks
- but aren't consumed with it happening each time they tee it up.This can happen with course conditions just as easy.

One day, on a par four, you could hit driver within a short iron of the
green. But the next Saturday, when the wind shifts a little, it might
turn into a hybrid or fairway wood. The golf course is constantly
changing, which to me, is one of the things that makes this game
so special.

But if you don't embrace that change and expect to end up in the
same spot every time -- you will end up a seriously frustrated golfer.These are some of the reasons why it's difficult to follow up a
great round with another great round.

Say the last time you played -- you were 2 under by the 6th hole
-- but now you are 1 over -- so it's very easy to think "what's
happening here?"

Or, "why am I so bad today when I was so good yesterday?"

Part of it could be some simple fundamentals ... but mostly -- it's
about just being at peace with the game.

And knowing that no one masters golf.

This is why Tiger Woods doesn't shoot 54 every time he plays.

Or why Ben Hogan would always wake up from his famous dream
on the 18th hole -- right after making 17 straight birdies. Even in
his dreams he couldn't master this game.Can taking a more serene approach help you score better? Absolutely!

Here are a few things that could help you go with the flow on the
golf course...
1. Understand that golf course conditions are ever-changing -- so it's
impossible to duplicate your play each time out.
2. Develop a balanced game -- with emphasis on the short game --
so when you don't have a solid swing -- you still have chances to
shoot your handicap.
3. Take each shot and each round on it's own merit. Don't compare
past rounds and past shots. Just take what you have in front of you
-- with whatever physical tools you have for that given day -- and
make a plan accordingly.
4. Understand that your score on a given day doesn't define you as
a golfer. Sometimes -- a lot of times actually -- luck plays a huge
part in this game. I know Gary Player said "the more he practiced,
the luckier he got" -- but somethings are just outside of your control.

Know that and be OK with it.As strange as it sounds -- you may have to think about and practice
going with the flow.