How to Play a Really Hard Course?

You might never have the chance to play under major-championship conditions, but I'm sure there's a course in your rotation that beats you up every time. By using the same strategies I'd give the average golfer who'll be playing Torrey Pines, you can tame your toughest course the next time you play it. Mizuno MX-1000 Irons

The biggest battle a tour player faces at a U.S. Open is against the mental wear and tear that comes from grinding over every shot. It's the same for you when the fairways get narrow and it seems like there are hazards everywhere. No piece of swing advice I could give is as important as this "golf psychology" tip: Stay strong and positive, and don't let a bad break cause you to lose your composure. Taylormade R9 SuperMax Irons

You can hit what you think is a good shot, but the ball kicks into a place where you're going to be lucky to make bogey. It happens all the time. The guys who rage against the unfairness of it -- like Sergio Garcia did when his tee shot hit the flagstick and bounced away during the British Open playoff last year -- lose focus on what's really important, which is staying out of big trouble and avoiding big numbers.