What do you think about on the course? Often, good players mess up by thinking about the wrong things at the wrong times.

One of the worst times to be deep in thought is when you’re ready to hit the ball. Keep things simple. Do all your arithmetic as you approach your ball. Make a checklist of the factors that influence the shot: distance, lie, wind, elevation, and pin position.

Then, choose the club and the type of shot you think best under the circumstances, and make a mental commitment to those choices. Once you’re over the ball, focus on one thing, whether it’s the flagstick, a target spot on the green or in the fairway, or one specific swing key.

Then pull the trigger. Don’t think. Just do it. You’ve spent countless hours honing your swing and have hit thousands of good shots in the past. So trust yourself, stop thinking, and you’ll be pleased with the result.