As the summer of 2006 slips past us all, I would like to pose some important questions. Were you satisfied with your game this year? Was this the year that you cured your slice, hook, shank, yips, or skulls? Did you prevail in the club championship or qualify for an important event? If you are in the minority that said yes I congratulate you. You have worked hard on your game and have suffered through some difficult changes. For the rest of us there is always next year. But won’t next year be just the same? You will take a couple of lessons at the beginning of the season to shake off the rust, spend a few days hitting balls on the range, and then dive head long into playing as much golf as your schedule will allow. You’ll then be right where  you are now: looking back on another year, ever hopeful that your nagging faults will one day go away.

For those of you that are looking to break this cycle, Mother Nature offers autumn. This is the perfect season to begin making long-lasting change to your golf game. No matter your fault, the only way to fix it is through hard work and commitment to change. Real improvement is a difficult road.  It takes time, diligence, and patience. The fall is the perfect time to commit to your golf game. There is less time to play, but more time to practice. This season will allow you to step away from the pressure of playing tournaments or important client games and evaluate your game honestly and fairly.

I encourage you to get together with your PGA golf instructor and begin work on your entire game. Spend a significant amount of time evaluating all aspects of your golf. Work out what areas need the most work and how you are going to improve. Have your coach develop a practice schedule for you and adhere to it. Be sure that you spend time having your coach supervise your practice and monitor your progress. It will keep you more focused and make your practice time more productive. You can spend time on the course with your coach working on difficult situations and improving your strategy and mental game. After the weather turns cold you will then be in position to maintain your improved techniques through simple drills that can be done at home. Spend time working on your strength and flexibility with a certified golf trainer like John Ondrush. Hit balls once a month or so at an indoor facility or take a golf vacation somewhere warm. Once the season comes around again, you will be able to fine tune your skills and prepare for tournament play instead of starting over from the same
wrong place.

There is no easy way to improve your golf game, but you will be surprised at your progress when you combine the proper instruction, information, and commitment to practice. Good luck in your journey.