I’ve played golf for more than 20 years now and can tell you with confidence that golf is 50% mental. The other 50% (the mechanics of the swing), I’ll leave to the pros. But putting yourself in a better frame of mind out on the course? I think I can speak to that based on my experiences.

Now, I’ve read books that really get into the metal aspect of golf. And for all intents and purposes, these books seem to really help. But these books also tend to provoke a good amount of deep thought. Today, I’m not going to dig that deep – I am going to keep it simple (for your sake and mine).

How simple? Well, let me get to the point: You could shave strokes off your game by simply becoming more comfortable. Being comfortable leads to less stiffness and a more relaxed swing. And a more relaxed swing translates into a more successful swing.

But how do you get more comfortable? Well, there’s one easy trick I’ve learned over the years – Have you ever heard of bogey golf? Typically, we speak of bogey golf in terms of one’s ability; “Joe? Oh he’s a bogey golfer.” We tend to think of that as a negative too; “Poor Joe gets a bogey on every hole.”

But what if your goal was to play bogey golf, or even double bogey golf?

Of course this means you will have to come to grips with the fact that you stink (for more on that, see HERE). But think about the reality of what I’m proposing…If you play bogey golf, you’d shoot 90 for 18 holes. Now I bet you’re thinking you’d love to play bogey golf all the time, right?

So how does playing bogey golf make you more comfortable? On the first hole, let’s say it’s a par 4 – well, your goal should be to make 5. Knock one down off the tee? No worries, you can still get on the green in regulation – because regulation is now getting on in 3 since it’s a par 5. See where I’m going with this?

Playing a long par 5? Well in bogey golf, it’s a par 6. So on your second shot, there’s no need to hit that fairway wood you’d typically slice into the woods. Instead, play an iron you’re comfortable with (say perhaps the 7). Remember, getting on in regulation means getting on in 4 – so the pressure’s off.

I know this sounds almost like cheating, but it’s not. You are simply putting yourself in a different frame of mind.

You are mentally making the course easier and as a result, you are more relaxed and comfortable. Sure, you’re not going to get a bogey on every hole – you might get a double or triple once in a while. But you also might get a par or birdie once in a while too. The point is to mentally play the course like a par 90 instead of a par 72 so you’re not chasing impossibilities.

I mentioned in a previous post that I average 93 for 18 holes. I can actually say I owe much of that to playing bogey golf. I strive for 90 every time out and my average is pretty close. I even beat 90 once in a while – shot an 89 last week!

Now, if you typically shoot well over 100 every time out, play double bogey golf. After all, scoring a double bogey for 18 holes is a 108.

And this trick isn’t just for the average hack either. Do you typically shoot 80 or 85? Well, just play bogey golf on specific holes, say the #1, 2 and 3 handicaps.

Look, you’re not going to become a scratch golfer playing bogey golf (if you play close to scratch, this post isn’t for you anyway), but that’s not the point. The point is to enjoy the game more and this little trick can help you do just that.

Simplify the course in your mind, relax and have fun!