Sometimes people get so into golf that they forget to play the game. What I mean is that they become so concerned about swing technique or their equipment or the rules, etc, that they lose sight of the object of golf – to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. 

But I see the same thing happen in other sports. The NCAA basketball tournament is one of the sport world’s shining stars, and one of its strengths is that anybody can beat anybody. One of the reasons for many of the upsets is that sometimes the more talented team doesn’t know how to play as well as a lesser talented team. 

This lack of knowing how to play affects golfers of all levels. While I was in Arizona visiting my son, I played golf with him and some of his friends (many of whom are in the ASU PGA school). These young guys can hit the ball so far it’s unbelievable! But, that’s not always a good thing. Growing grass is expensive in Arizona, so the land off the fairways is usually desert – not a good to place to hit your ball. In golf (as in life) uncontrolled power is dangerous. 

Golf is much more about control than power. A one foot putt counts the same as a 300 yard drive. Obviously controlled power is a valuable weapon, but if you have to choose between the two, control trumps power when it comes to golf.  

Learn to control your shots. I know that sounds obvious, but most people only practice trying to hit their driver a long way. Develop a swing that can reasonably control the ball. For example, if you always slice your shots, play a controlled fade. Don’t try to play straight shots or draws. Remember, all you’re trying to do is to put the ball into a certain area – it doesn’t matter how it gets there.