I mentioned in a recent post about the need for all non-pro golfers to take “I Stink at Golf” therapy – and I was being serious. Addressing some of your golfing problems will go a long way in helping your game.

But you don’t need to make an appointment with a shrink – no sir. Let me help you by posing some common golf problems and providing candid, life-changing advice!

Problem: I can’t hit the driver.
Advice: Yes you can. It may go straight only 10% of the time, but you can hit it. In fact, when you really get into one, it feels awesome. Well, that’s the feeling we want to hold onto – even if it only happens once a round. If you never take your driver out of your bag (or worse, if you’re like me and you went driverless for several years) you will never get that awesome feeling. Hey – it’s better to feel awesome once a round than never at all.

Problem: I’m inconsistent.
Advice: Of course you are – everyone is. Even pros are not consistent 100% of the time. The reality is something will always be off – If you’re hitting the driver decent, your irons will fail you. It’s going to happen – if you could put it all together most of the time, you’d be on tour. Accept inconsistency as a part of the game and play on.

Problem: I should play better than I do.
Advice: Bull shit. Your level of play is based on two things: Ability and effort. And your ability will only take you so far before you have to start putting in effort – and that’s usually when we start saying things like “I should play better than I do.” Could the real reason be that we’re all lazy? (See this post I penned last year).

Problem: But I can’t shoot anywhere near par.
Advice: You’re not alone. In fact, you’re in the majority. The best answer I’ve seen (which cites the reputable NGF) is this: A whopping 95% of golfers can’t break 80! More than 75% can’t break 90 and nearly 50% can’t even break 100!! So even if you can’t break 100, you have half the golfers of the world out there to help keep you company!

Don’t feel so bad now, do you? See, putting things in perspective like this really helps you go out and shoot 110 with a smile on your face – and let’s face it – enjoyment is what this game is all about!

Stinky Golfer Greg’s been playing wretched golf for more than 20 years and has come to terms with the fact that he stinks. Of course, in no way, shape or form does this make him qualified to give phycological advice. But then again, it’s probably more effective than if he were giving actual swing advice.