If you are not fully relaxed, you'll never be able to play your best game of golf.What about your mind? You may not think that's important in this game, but you'd be wrong to think that. When your mind is tense, you can't play good golf, either. In fact, it is tension in the mind that leads to tension in the body. The two are intimately connected. By relaxing the mind first, the body naturally relaxes too, and your best comes out. I promise.

So we're going to focus on relaxing the mind, because that's the key. We can't always know the true state of our mind, though, because the mind is quite a subtle thing. The body acts as an indicator of the state of our mind, however, and we can feel our body. When you begin to pay more attention to how your body feels, you'll automatically be more tuned into your mind.

Here's an example. Suppose you're standing over a five-foot putt that has a little break to it, and it's a par putt. Before you make the stroke, check yourself. Is there any tension in your arms? Hands? Your upper back, your stomach? I'm not talking about being rigid, but do you feel like you're holding yourself in place so you can make the perfect stroke? That tension in your body means there is tension in your mind.

Correct yourself. You don't have to start the put over. Stay in your stance and quit putting pressure on yourself. Realize how silly it is to get this worked up over a putt. There are some things in life to get worked up over, but this is not one of them.

Just let go of all the worries you have about making the putt or missing it, keeping your score down, the right speed, keeping it on line, all that stuff. Just smile to yourself, and be thankful that you have the opportunity to play this wonderful game.

If you calm your mind like this, I bet you'll feel your body calming down, and a feeling of quiet confidence emerging. When that happens, you can hit the putt. And you know what? You'll either make it or miss it. Neither one is a life-changing event, but learning how to calm your mind--now that's a valuable skill.

I mean that. The golf course is just a good place to practice this. Not only will you enjoy golf more, you'll have started a habit that you carry over with great success at home, at the office. Keep an eye out for physical tension wherever you are. It's a sign that you have to relax your mind before you do anything else.

Now how about that forced tee shot over water? Because of the skill you're practicing and applying all the time, you'll hit the shot with confidence. And it will be a good shot, worthy of your golf.

Bob Jones is dedicated to showing recreational golfers the little things, that anyone can install in their swing and game, that make a big difference in how they play. See more at http://www.Bettergolfbook.Com.

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