Boy I really enjoyed watching the British Open. And it wasn't just because I like Greg Norman. I mean it was great to see him hang in there with the younger golfers and make a real run at winning the tournament. But I got to thinking about how tough the conditions were for the golf tournament and it reminded me of a mental approach that golfers need to keep in mind but that we often forget.

I've written about this before in a slightly different context, but it's a great golf tip and does bear repeating. A pro golfer, I believe that it was Nick Faldo but I could be wrong once said something like this about golf. "It' not about how good your best shots are, it's about how good your worst golf is". I probably don't have that exactly right and it may not even be Faldo who said it but let's look at the teaching point.

Golf can be a tough game. Whether you are just having a tough day, or the weather is a real bear, or maybe you are playing a really tough course or competitor. But keeping yourself tough mentally at those times is one of the keys to scoring.

Think about this. Have you ever had a day where you hit the ball extremely well, but couldn't seem to score? Or hit the ball poorly, finding every trap and hazard, but still came out with a decent score? Seems crazy doesn't it?

So sometimes the key is not trying to really have the great swing or hitting the great shot. Sometimes it is just avoiding big mistakes, don't try to do too much, and just play with what you have on any given day. Tiger has probably influenced how difficult it is to do this with his tremendous ability to get out of trouble. But we aren't Tiger and will never be Tiger.

So much of golf and of hitting the golf ball well is being relaxed and having a smooth, steady tempo. And if you are coming off a bad shot or a bad break and trying to create a "miracle shot" you are probably not very relaxed. So a second mistake follows the first.

So remember these things. Some days your swing just won't feel right. And every bad break seems to be coming your way. In those circumstances, just back off and play with what you have. Don't try to save a hole with a miracle shot. Maybe only use your favorite 3 or 4 golf clubs that always feel comfortable to you. Play for bogey and enjoy the occasional par that drops.

But the key is don't take yourself mentally out of a round because of a tough day on the golf course. You'll be amazed how the round ends up if you approach it this way.