As the new golf season rolls around you may find yourself saying the words, "I think I've got it", to yourself. Why? Because for most of us, the beginning of the season brings us some surprisingly good rounds of golf. It's funny how you haven't played golf seriously in about 4-6 months, yet right out of the gate, you end up playing some of the best golf of the year. This, of course, leaves you scratching your head because you remember how last year wasn't so great. So what happened over the course of the winter that is allowing you to play so well now?

Maybe your new found skill occurs because you took a break over the winter months? Maybe it's the new clubs you received for Christmas? Maybe you read a tip in a golf magazine? Or maybe you are taking the game less seriously? To be honest with you, it's a little bit of all of these things. Here's what I mean ...

Taking a Break

When you take a break for a few months over the winter you seem to forget what you were working on at the end of last year. The things that were important to you then, aren't so important anymore. This not only eases your mind but it also allows you to lighten up a little and stop you worrying about your swing. Because of this, you may play a little better at the start of the year.

Excuses ... Excuses

Starting a new season gives you a great excuse if you play poorly. What is it? Simple ... it's the beginning of the season! Typically, the beginning of the season allows you to be a little more care free. This care free attitude allows you to have more fun and minimize your expectations. If your expectations are low you may be pleasantly surprised at how well you play.

Golf Tips

How does a golf tip make you play better golf at the beginning of the year? The obvious reason is that it may actually help to improve your swing. Secondly, it gets you thinking of 1 swing thought instead of 10. This concentration on only one thing allows you to remain focused instead of confused. This kind of clarity can help you play quite well at the beginning of the season as well.

New Equipment

When you try a new driver or putter it feels different versus your old club. Because of this, you're thinking so much about the new feel of the new club that you forget about your swing. When you don't think about your swing, you usually hit the ball quite well. So this too can add to some great rounds at the beginning of the season.

Summing It All Up

To sum it all up, all of these things I mentioned stop you from thinking too much about the mechanics of your swing when you go to play. If you aren't thinking about the mechanics of your swing, you can think about getting the ball in the hole which is what you should be always thinking about every time you play, not just at the beginning of the season. Paul Wilson