In his new book, Easier Said Than Done, sports psychologist Dr. Rick Jensen shares the twelve "undeniable, tour tested truths you must know and apply to finally play to your potential on the golf course." Rick should know; he's coached 14 players to a combined total of 34 major championships.

 

This week, we're sharing Truth # 2:

 

Remember from Truth #1 that ball control is one of the essentials of going low. That means consistently driving it in play, hitting greens in regulation, putting well, and chipping and pitching it close to the hole. You need to assess which of those skills is costing you the most strokes on the golf course, and you must work on those skills.

 

What does that mean to you? Many amateurs spend their limited practice time working on what they are already good at, on what they like the most, or on what they read in a golf publication the week before. But if you are 3-putting every green, you need to work on your putting, not on your full swing.

 

And you can't "choke" if you didn't own the skill to begin with. If you miss a long putt for birdie but you haven't practiced your putting, you can't blame the missed putt on a lack of mental toughness.

 

Rick's book suggests that a good coach will assess your game and develop a personalized improvement plan with you. At our school, we have always done just that. Whether we see you every week or a few times a season, we always begin with an assessment of where you are and where you want to go.  We learn about your game by speaking with you and observing all aspects of it.

 

Additionally, for those desiring serious improvement, we recommend Shot By Shot, a game analysis tool that uses measurement to help determine your greatest opportunities for improvement. Click here to learn more about it and see data from actual students.

 

You'll be the first to learn more about the Twelve Truths. And Dom will be tweeting from the PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit, the PGA Merchandise Show and another TPI education program- all in the next two weeks.

 

Opening day will be here before you know it...