The game of golf is the ultimate test of personal accountability and responsibility.

Over the next few weeks we will discuss the eight steps that need to be taken to “Own Your Golf Game”.

What does that mean?

To become comfortable, clear, and confident in your abilities. Only then will you be able to perform consistently.

1. The only thing the touches the ball is the club.

2. The only thing that touches the club is you.

3. The ball goes where the face points.

4. Guess who’s holding the club?

Some people make it big, while others do not. Yes, there is definitely the issue of talent. Some are more gifted than others. But an idea that makes all the difference is clearly communicated in a book called, Mindset. Carol Dweck, world renowned Stanford University and author of Mindset , discovered that teaching a growth mindset creates motivation and productivity in the world of business, education, and sports. You are not born with all the abilities in the world. You can learn them. If…… you choose.

I realize some of you may not believe improvement is possible. I do know we that we each have our own personal potential and, “You are never too old to get better.” There is always something you can learn.

You do not always need to slice your driver, top your irons, and chunk your wedges. There are very simple solutions for bad shots.

In all my years of teaching and playing the great game of golf, I have never met anyone who tries to miss it on purpose. If that is true, then WHY do we miss? Assuming we know HOW to hit the shot, why do we not pull it off?

Does Jordan Spieth know how to hit a stock nine iron on a par three? Of course he does. If so, why did he hit the ball in the water on number twelve on Sunday at Augusta? What led up to one of the worst melt downs in recent history in a major championship? Did the bogies on ten and eleven contribute to lack of commitment on twelve? Did he go from pursuing his second green jacket to protecting it? The answer is yes.

None of the above had anything to do with his golf swing. It had everything to do with his inability to stay in the present moment. His lack of commitment and focus on the task at hand allowed his subconscious mind in the middle of his back swing said, “Hey, maybe you should cut this shot instead of hitting a little draw.”

Whoops….. There we go into the drink.

Then, because his mind was now in shock, he chunks it in again! WOW! I bet there are a lot of you who were shocked to see that. Witnessing the number two player in the world blow it surprised you. Guess what? Everyone misses shots.

The question you need to ask yourself is WHY? Most times it has absolutely nothing to do with your golf swing and everything to do with your mind. Do you have a process where you plan each shot you hit? Do you know how far you hit each club? Do you have trouble lining up?

If you could improve one thing about your game, what would it be? Most people come to me with the request of becoming more consistent. They would like to hit the ball better more often. I urge you to stop and ask yourself the questions above. If you could learn to use your swing more consistently, your shots will be better. Then you will be more confident that you can hit the ball where you want it to go. Then and only then can you become more consistent.