Certainly golf is more interesting to play when there are others to compete against. But unlike other sports, golf is 60 percent mental, 40 percent physical. Of course it helps to be in good physical shape, but this is not a game of brute force. There are those who play with a caddy, who helps with the selection of club and provides advice on the lie of the ball. Somewhat akin to how a catcher advises a pitcher in baseball, but it is still up to the player to provide the play.

Golfers spend four to five hours, literally knocking a small ball around challenging terrain. Being successful means being able to interpret the lie of the ball, pick the right club, and swing with accuracy. Driving the ball down the fairway is very different from pitching it out of a sand trap. It takes iron concentration and steely focus on the swing to get it right. You might see the pros swinging perfectly on www.direct.tv sports specials, but this sport is not as it easy as it looks.

Players like Tiger Woods or John Daly make the swing look effortless and easy, when it is anything but. Developing a consistent swing is achieved through muscle memory and constant practicve. It’s just about impossible to walk up to the tee and drive a ball 300 yards on the first go out. The reality is, it takes years to get a swing as good as the professionals. Next time a game of golf on the TV, watch the players for their elegance and grace when driving the ball while keeping in mind what it took for them to gain that ease.