[Hennybogan]

I've lurked for awhile around here, but this thread is an absolute goldmine. Thank you both immensely for your contributions!

I have a couple of questions for you as well.

1. When you and your pro are, say, 4 or 5 over through the first 9 holes (or 6, for that matter), do you take a different approach to the rest? Obviously, you try and keep target- and shot-oriented, but what else goes on? I know the mindset has to change somewhat, whether you like it or not.

2. You've got a two-shot lead going into the final round of a tournament. How does the approach differ, if at all? What about the final 9 holes? Final 2?

3. Do expectations change from week to week? If your guy has made, say 2 cuts in the first 8 events, is just getting to the weekend the goal? Or conversely, if he has just made 2 or 3 straight top-20s or top-10s, is he solely focused on winning? Obviously expectations may not be openly discussed, as a lot of people advocate avoiding them altogether, but deep down there's got to be a change in confidence level based on past performances. And it seems to me that this change in confidence can affect the level of expectations. Or am I way off ?

1. Really depends on how you got over par. If he has "earned it," ie, 5 bogeys vs. one bad hole, I might ask if he is going to shoot 90. He knows he won't do that bad, and sometimes it helps him realize that maybe all the bad stuff has already happened. A bad start could be mental, mechanical, conditions, etc. Just try to address the right thing. One key is to be so grounded in your process and routine that you don't know what you are shooting.

2. Keep doing what you did to get in the lead. We have all seen the college basketball team go into a stall too early and get run over at the end. I think that there is always a correct shot. We try to play that one each time, balancing risk and reward. The last couple of holes can call for a change of strategy based on the lead and what is going on. Mostly, you just keep playing. You should be practicing putting the game away every single day. Be a finisher. It is a mindset.

3. Forrest Gump. Life (golf) is like a box of chocolates. Turn up everyday expecting the best and prepared for the worst. You need to be in the habit of acting like a winner.

I agree with OK's post as well.