_Consistency

On the golf course we have all glimpsed what it's like in the 'zone'. For some, the zone is more elusive than for others. Think back to that round where all of your putts just seemed to drop or where you hit fairway after fairway with scary straight drives. We all have a little Tiger in us but it's like trapping lightning in a bottle. Consistency is what drives golfers crazy, from touring pro to amateur. But there are things we can do to set us up for success on the links. Here are 9 ways to play more consistent golf:

9) Warm Up. Don't wait until the 5th hole to feel fully loose and ready to play. By then, a couple of double bogeys have already ruined a potentially low round. Spend a half hour stretching your core muscles and hitting some balls and visit the practice green to develop some feel for speed. Hit some long lag putts because that's probably what you are going to face.

8) Develop Amnesia. If you do hit a bad shot or two, forget about it. Use the remaining holes as an opportunity to redeem yourself. Dwelling on a bad drive or chunking a chip shot will only lead to negative thoughts and duck hooks.

7) Play within yourself. You know what shots you can make and those you can't. Play to your strengths. That may mean laying up on a par 5 or pulling out an iron off the tee but playing smart leads to more consistency. And lose the ego. If you are a 15 handicapper, than the back tees are not for you. Play the tee blocks that are designed for your handicap (generally, the tips are for 0-9 handicappers, the forward tees 30+, and the middle tees for the rest).

6) Stay away from the beer cart. Unless you are buying a bottle of water or sports drink. Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages promote dehydration. To ensure optimum performance, you need to stay hydrated on the course. Dehydration will lead to cramping, fatigue, a lack of focus, and ultimately, higher golf scores.

5) Play more club and read more break. If you ask a club pro, what mistakes amateurs make the most.  The most common mistakes seen are players who do not take enough club when hitting into the green and don't read enough break in their putts leaving them short and on the low side.

4) Schedule off-season practice sessions. Take advantage of all that indoor training facilities have to offer. Make a point of using a simulator with the sole purpose of just actually practicing. While hitting balls in the driving bays, make sure to use all of the clubs in your bag and not just the big dog. In your mind, construct potential situations that you might face on the golf course and design shots for them. Make the practice session fun and before you know it, you'll groove a more consistent swing, and before you go home, take your putter to the practice green for a half hour.

3) Exercise regularly. Your regular 18-hole Saturday game, complete with golf cart and 6 pack, does not constitute exercise. Develop a daily exercise routine that focuses on flexibility, strengthening your core muscle groups, and promotes endurance and solid balance. This might mean taking a trip to your local fitness center and talking with a personal trainer.

2) Set specific goals. One of the favorites is to see how many balls you can avoid losing during a round. Invariably, if you have only lost one or two, your score is better. Challenging yourself to hit fairways and greens is also an excellent way to focus on a goal. Start with a few and work your way up. Perhaps the most important one is putts. Keep track of how many putts you take during your next few rounds and record your lowest number. Take this number with you each time to the course with the goal of beating it. Reduce the number of putts you take per round and you will shoot lower scores consistently.

1) And if you find yourself in the middle of a low round, don't get ahead of yourself. Stay relaxed and calm. Nothing defeats the 'zone' more than tension and lack of focus. Worrying about that 200 yard par 3 coming up won't matter if you blow the next 4 holes. Stay in the moment and play the shot that's in front of you now. Focus is like a shared internet connection. It's not effective when there are too many demands on it.

While we can't always play like PGA touring professionals, we can spend some time in the 'zone'. The trick is getting their more often and knowing how to handle it when we are lucky enough to experience it. Playing consistent golf is a challenge for us all but the answer to overcoming this obstacle lies in the path we chose for our journey.