Half of all strokes taken to achieve par over 18 holes are figured to be taken in putting mode. That's right, golf holes are designed for you to get the ball into the hole with just two putts on average. Sure makes things sound a little easier, doesn't it? You don't really have to worry that much about sinking that first putt on every single hole.

Understanding that should help to relieve some of the mental pressure you see so often exhibited on the golf course every Sunday. Many everyday golfers agonize over every single putt [especially that first one] like a million dollars was riding on it! The mental pressure becomes enormous and 3 and 4 putting every green becomes the norm.

Instead, always remember that you always have that 2nd putt in your back pocket to achieve par.

And to further reinforce your confidence on each first putt, imagine that the hole is actually 3 feet in diameter! Think about it. If you can leave your first putt inside that imaginary 3 foot hole, you will only be 16 inches away from the edge of the real hole. A second putt of only a foot and a half or less! Can you make that?

So, if your putt is within 10 to 15 feet of the hole and has little or no break, you should focus on getting down in two. That's all!

And if your putt is beyond 15 feet, don't get in the habit of examining each and every first putt from all directions, using the putter like a plumb-bob and closing one eye, looking and agonizing over every twist, turn and break. Remember that you have that second putt. Take one good look at the putting line from behind the ball, another look from the other of the hole - then make your decision and putt. Agonizing and analyzing over it time and again will not produce better results. Usually the first impression of how the putt will break and how hard you need to strike the ball is the right one. Trust your instincts and go through your putting routine with confidence rather than doubt. If you take too long and spend it worrying, you will become tighter and tighter and putting that way is a sure path to a higher score.

And don't really worry too much on that first putt about it going to far to the left or too far to the right. That usually doesn't happen. Watch when other people putt and you will see that they are more likely to leave it too short or way past the hole rather than knocking it too far left or right of the hole. With that thought in mind, be more conscious of the speed and length of the putt. Get it into that 3 foot circle, on any side of the hole, and you will be within that short 16 inches of the edge of the cup!

Remember that you don't have to hole every first putt you have. Get down in two and you will score well because you are no longer three or four putting on every hole.

Who knows, maybe you get a few breaks and drop a few of those first putts! Now your score will really start to drop.

By: Lee MacRae
Visit Golf Training Aid Online for more help on improving your putting.

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In golf, once you leave the clubhouse, you are alone. Well, that is not entirely true. You have your caddie to help you. Here are some of the things caddie can do to help your game.

A caddie will help you carry your golf clubs. This is probably the most common job a caddie is presumed to perform. This is not an easy task because a golf bag is heavy. Try to be patient with him and trust him to take care of your clubs.

A caddie can also wash your clubs. This is an important task because wet clubs could affect your game tremendously. This should be part of his job and should be done for you after every shot.

A caddie will also keep the ball clean if you want it. He might ask you from time to time if you want it cleaned. He should also carrie a number of spare balls in case you want a new one or if goes into the rough or the water.

A caddie will replace your divots before moving onto the next hole. He does this to help maintain the course and also for other golfers who will behind you on the course.

A caddie will also do smooth ball marks on the green. He does removes the mark by using a flat surface like his shoes. He does this to maintain the greens and help you with your shot. Once you're lining up for a shot and see a mark that he failed to see, just point it out to him and he will repair it. Remember that is easier to make a good shot when the green is straight and smooth.

A caddie could also help you with your game. An experienced caddie probably has some experiences watching good players make their shots or how they putt their greens. He may also have more experience than you on this course. If he is observant he could be a valuable source of tips that could help you improve your game.

Having a caddie with you can be great for your game. He will help you get more relaxed and remove your concern about the simple things. Remember, though, do not take it out on your caddie if your game is not going good. Caddying is a tough job and it's not really his fault if you are making mistakes in your game.

By: Dave Owen
Dave is the owner of Get Golf Facts, where you find information and resources on how to improve your golf game.

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John is a wonderful person at home and at work but not on the golf course links. He has 2 daughters ages 3 and 8 that he dotes on constantly. He plays games and dolls with them and genuinely enjoys it. He is very much in love with his wife of 10 years and can't wait for date nights on Fridays. His friends and family say he is one of the kindest most warm-hearted people on the planet. His co-workers can't say enough about how John has always been there for them in his sympathy and caring for their issues. His mother told his wife long ago that John has a streak of anger in him but it hasn't shown up in any big way in their marriage so far.

John loves to play golf on Saturday with the men's club at his local links course.

Nobody wants to be pared with John though. Why?

As long as everything is going right with John in his game that day, he seems to be the John everyone else knows and loves. And even the members see him this way once they make it to the clubhouse or the 19th hole.

He's a pretty good player too, with a handicap in single digits.

But...John loses his temper and gets very angry out on the golf course links.

As long as he's scoring well, then he's allright. If not, watch out for John as he throws his golf clubs and cuss words out left and right. He berates himself and his clubs and goes on and on about how he stinks at the game. It doesn't take much to get him started. Usually it's a 3-putt or an out of bounds shot into the golf course woods. After having one of those or any other major mishap, John rushes up to hit the next ball thinking that he has to quickly erase the last bad shot as soon as possible. He hates feeling the anger. But in his haste and tension, he usually follows up one bad shot with another and the downward spiral begins... and the cusswords start to fly.

Do you have some of John in you? Do you know a John at your club? Maybe you have a playing partner like that or have been paired with one.

What to do about it?

The first thing to know is that anger is an emotion and all emotions are biologically a release of chemicals that cause actions at the cellular level driven by energy. What?

Nevermind that. What you have to do for yourself or for the John you know is get them to focus on something else; something entirely not related to golf as fast as you can.

If they've already blown up and lost it, It's not enough to tell them (or yourself) that "It's o.k., you'll make it up" or something like that. It's too late or too much for that to work. Start with that but get the thoughts somewhere else. Get the person on a subject totally outside of golf. The idea is to get the thoughts elsewhere.

If it's you we are talking about here, then take that another step.

A 4-year old child if told to pretend to do an action, like say, swimming for instance, wouldn't need water to give you a good show on how she does it. That's what you want to do! Go through the motions, talk your way through and actually "pretend" to be somewhere else righ then and there. Experience the feelings and images you would in your mind if you were actually doing it. Put yourself back on your last vacation doing something you love and really "experience it" in your mind.

This will shift your energy and increase your awareness in a heartbeat and allow you to get your body back to neutral or better as fast as possible. Otherwise, you are fighting a cascade of peptides locking onto receptor sites at every cell that will be very difficult to remove....and your golf game suffers.

When you are angry, you are not aware. You get so locked into being angry. Some of us are actually addicted to the chemical release of anger..but that's another story.

Next time out on the golf course links and anger starts to get to you, be a 4-year old!

By: Craig Sigl
Craig Sigl, the Golf Anti-practice expert, is a Master and Trainer of Hypnosis, NLP and Timeline techniques. He plays to a 5 handicap and teaches his methods worldwide. Visit http://www.break80golf.com to receive a free digitized golf book and ezine "Golf legends and Gurus"

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You have hit into a bunker but it is not until you reach it that you find your ball has stopped right against the front face or wall. The ball has just run over the front edge of the bunker and has not moved forward at all.

At first glance there is no room for a back stroke, and you wonder how on earth you will get your ball back into play let alone onto the green. You could of course hit it side ways and get it back into play, so that is that question answered.

However it also is possible to get the ball onto the green and into the hole with two puts. If you manage this, your confidence will be enhanced and you will give yourself a psychological boost.

So what you do is this.

Set up in the normal way, aligning your body to the left of target if you can. If the stance possibilities do not allow this, just do the best you can. Just get the ball onto the green.

Also, have your weight on your front foot.

Dig your feet in a bit to get stability because you have to keep your head very, very still during this shot.

Choke down on the club, (or move your hands down the grip towards the metal part of the golf club).

Have the face of the club wide open so that you could balance a glass of water on it.

The ball will be somewhere off your right foot, (right handers), depending on how much room you have.

Now swing back to the outside and cock your wrists sharply. This takes the club up steeply.

Now hit down using your right hand strongly to hit the sand as near to the ball as possible.

This should send the ball onto the green.

You have to hit the ball hard

and it is so important, it is imperative, I can not stress this next bit strongly enough.

You have to keep your head very still. No sideways movement. Just drive with your right knee towards the flight of the ball, and remain in the tube you started in.

Move your head and you will duff the shot.

Bill Maitland is a thinking, inventive golf guru. He thought out and developed simple techniques and tips which enabled him to lower his handicap from 25 to 18, then from 18 to 15, and finally from 15 to 12. He is a passionate golfer, and delights in helping others with their game should they want his help.

By: Bill Maitland
To receive a valuable weekly golf tip go to his web site onlinegolfershandbook.com, and subscribe to his free Hole In One News Letter. You will be so glad that you did.

Author of On Line Golfers' Hand Book. An e-Book that takes you step by step to being the best golfer that you can possibly be. The basics in great detail.

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