The majority of people who play golf want to shoot lower scores, cut their handicap and enjoy the game more, and often there's a misguided view that technique is the be all and end all when trying to accomplish this.
In the modern world, analytics, increased exposure and social media mean there's so much attention on the things great golfers do, but often you can learn more from the things they DON'T do.
All the examples listed below are things amateur golfers can easily implement. It's just a question of changing habits, working on the mental game and controlling what you can control.
So many amateur mistakes arise from poor decision making and mental faux pas, so take note of the below and make a conscious effort to eradicate the mistakes the world's best players don't make...
1. Arrive at the course with minutes to spare
This has been known to happen - Rory McIlroy was perhaps the most high-profile example when he almost missed his tee time at the 2012 Ryder Cup. However, for club golfers, it's more the norm. So often the result is a loose first tee shot, which can set the tone for the round.
For many of us, arriving at the club two hours before a tee time just isn't realistic, due to family commitments and so on. That said, if you can allow yourself just 20 minutes to warm-up properly, you'll be all the better for it.
2. Follow one mistake with another
Well, pros do sometimes do this, but not as often as club golfers anyway. It helps when your powers of recovery are excellent, of course, but in the amateur world this isn't always the case.
As tempting as it may be to try and make amends instantly for a bad shot, the safe play is just to take your medicine. Engage brain and don't go chasing!
3. Lose their cool
Have you ever seen a tour player lose their rag? Probably, so let's put this one another way. In the main, the best players control their emotions. By the time they address their next shot, their focus - normally - has been regained.
Too often, a show of temper will only lead to more misery on the golf course - so put the last shot to the back of your mind and move on.
4. Worry about three-putting
There's generally no fear when the first putt is struck - it's likely going to scare the hole. But the handicap golfers' worry around the return putt often means they don't properly release the clubhead, and they come up short.
Pros do this with a strong mind, but they also spend a lot of time practising and honing their craft. You'll always spot them working on putting drills and their putting technique in general to ensure better results.
5. Give up
Great players never know when they're beaten. To be able to grind out a score is a great strength, even when you're not at your best. Tiger Woods was undoutedly the best at this over the years - he always got the most out of every round.
To everyone who's carded seven points going out and 20-odd coming home, pat yourself on the back. It's as much about pride as anything else
6. Blame their tools
This isn't to say the pros don't visit the tour truck and/or get on the Trackman to tweak things and make subtle changes. However, we rarely hear a tour player come off the course and blame a poor round on faulty gear. In fact, I can't recall one instance of that happening.
'That new putter I was using is useless'. Never heard that one. 'That slice was my driver's fault'. Nor that one, either. So, get your custom fitted sorted and leave your excuses in the car park.
7. Underclub
One of the most common amateur mistakes is not knowing your yardages and coming up short as a result. It's statistically the most common amateur miss.
In this day and age, so many driving ranges have shot-tracking technology, so do your homework and make sure you know how far you're actually hitting each club in your bag!
8. Take unnecessary risks
Although the world's best golfers might push the boat out every now and then, pros know where they can and can't miss. There are times to attack the flag, and times to find the safe part of the green, for example.
What this does is keep the large numbers off the scorecard. Give that a go in your next medal and see how many shots you save.
This is to say, they don't make a habit of coming up short. Ask the tour pros to name some of the most common mistakes they see from amateur golfers in a pro-am, and not taking enough club will get more than a few mentions.
The reason, it seems, is that amateurs tend to believe they hit the ball further than they actually do. Take an extra club - that's what we're always told.
9. Always hit the driver
Players like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Scottie Scheffler have a lot to answer for - they strike the driver so well it rubs off on us at home.
However, there's no shame in putting the big stick back in the bag when it's not behaving - don't believe the pros don't.
10. Hit balls randomly
Not one... well, maybe the odd one. Ninety-nine per cent of the time, however, pros have a plan when it comes to practice - and they stick to it. To watch a pro on the range is a bit like watching a top athlete go through their warm-up routine prior to a race.
So, the next time you pop down the range and stick a token in the ball dispenser, ask yourself whether you have a plan before you hit that first ball.
