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The Goals of the Game

Simply stated, the goal of golf is to get the ball into each of 18 holes in succession with the fewest number of shots, using no more 14 clubs. After you hitthe ball into all the holes, you add up your scores from all the holes. Thelower your total score, the better. That is golf. That is the goal.

The game lies in the journey. As you play, you devise ways to get the ball intothe hole in as few strokes as possible. Many outside stimuli — and manymore inside you — make this endeavor very interesting.

The best advice I can give you is to take the game slowly, make prudent decisions,and never hit a shot while contemplating other matters. Golf should beplayed with total concentration and a complete disregard for your ego. Try amonastic existence, at least for the duration of the round. Golf tempts you totry feats of derring-do. You must judge your talents and abilities. You alone determine your success or failure: Should you try to make it over the water and go for the green that’s 240 yards away?

Figure 1-1 shows how to plan your course of action. You start at the tee and move to Position A. If the ball goes 240 yards and a watery grave is lurking to the left, don’t try the improbable and go for it. Lay up to Position B, and go from there to the green via C. Take the talents that you have and explore this ever-fascinating game of maneuvering a ball through the hazards of your mind. Welcome to my nightmare.