Golf Tips: Don't Get Ahead of Yourself

Watching the final round of the Masters gave me the inspiration for this Tuesday tip. Don't get ahead of yourself How many times have we all started out well on the course, gotten excited, then had our hopes crushed by bad play?  It may have been a foregone conclusion for many that Rory McIlroy would take his four shot lead into the final round and win the Masters this past weekend.  Another foregone conclusion which didn't happen.  The announcers of the Masters also concluded that Tiger Woods would shoot a major championship record 62 after shooting 31 on the front nine.  They couldn't have been farther off. I remember a round I had two years ago at a very hard course.  I shot 31 on the front, my best nine ever.  The thought entered my mind, "I'm going to shoot my lowest round ever." Once that thought hit me I was done.  The back nine was 10 shots worse.  That 31-41 was one of the most bizarre and disappointing even par rounds I've ever shot. How to we prevent the meltdown? Jason Day shot an amazing 64 in the 2nd round of the Masters a few days ago.  During the post round interview, they asked him if he knew how low he was going.  He had no idea.  He said he wasn't worried about scores or numbers, just trying to continue making birdies. This is a good approach and could help us all score better.  Don't count your score until the round is over.  Simply focus on the current shot and execute it the best you can.