Most once-a-week golfers understand that scoring in the seventies on a regular basis, requires a level of commitment, in time and resources, that is beyond reach. Achieving a level of consistency, however, now that’s another story.

Every golfer, at every skill level can develop consistency. The first step is having a clear definition.

According to the Merriam/Webster dictionary, one definition is: “an action that’s firmly established by long persistence.” This vague definition isn’t exactly what the typical golfer has in mind. If we adapt this definition to the game of golf, then the popular lament of being “consistently inconsistent” would fit perfectly.

How would you define consistency? The best hitters in baseball reach base safely one-third of the time. Hockey teams strive for a fifty-fifty win loss ratio in order to make the playoffs. Even though golf is generally acknowledged to be one of the most difficult sports to master, golfers at every skill level tend to equate consistency with perfection.

Is score the ultimate measure of consistency? Have you ever scored well but played poorly? Would you feel satisfied if this was a consistent pattern?

The distinction between playing well and scoring makes golf a unique sport. On those rare occasions when both factors come together for one fleeting moment, we might try to analyze the results in the hopes of re-creating them on demand. Invariably, the search ends with a patient resignation to “live and fight another day.”

The worlds’ best players understand that their swing changes daily, based on how they feel. This applies to an even greater degree for the once-a-week golfer. You may not have the physical dexterity to regularly hit three-hundred drives, but every golfer, at every skill level, can learn to control how they feel.

The concept of “feel” is typically used in reference to the Short Game; chipping and putting, but it applies to every single shot. Learning to trust your sense of feel, is a difficult task for the golfer who has been conditioned to play by conscious thought.

Set up a definition of consistency that will help you feel good before each game. I’ve interviewed students after a round who were ecstatic about using the same tee for 18 holes!

Improving your score is the ultimate goal, but when you focus exclusively on score, then every round becomes an emotional roller coaster. Establish different goals for the various parts of the game that allow you to feel good.

How you feel affects how you perform. Why wait until after you’ve achieved your goal to feel good?

Most mid to high handicap golfers do not have the time, money or desire to hit thousands of practice balls, but every golfer can develop the attitude that allows you to consistently play to the best of your ability.

Constant improvement is a by-product of developing the beliefs that allow you to unlock your potential.

How would you define consistency?

Your definition depends on expectations. Perhaps modifying your expectations, might reveal that you are actually more consistent than you think.

Most of my students equate consistency with score; breaking 95 or 90 or 85. Once you've established a goal (in terms of score) the next step is to uncover the mental barriers that seem to constantly block your progress.

Which shots have the biggest effect on your score – the number of perfect shots or the number of mis-hits?

Perfect shots are a fortuitous accident; nice when they happen, but impossible to predict. You never know if you are going to hit a perfect shot. On the other hand, imperfect shots are inevitable; it's not a question of if , but rather when , a poor shot is going to manifest.

The secret to consistency is minimizing the effects of the first poor shot. You never know when it will occur, but you can prepare mentally by minimizing the odds of forfeiting more than one stroke.

Learn to play by feel; pick the club that feels right rather than trying to follow a preconceived idea of ​​how a hole should be played. Scoring in the nineties is bogey golf. When you eliminate the double-bogeys, then breaking ninety is easy.

Consistency is not the result of hitting more perfect shots; it's a matter of reducing the severity of the poor ones.

Poor shots are inevitable. At first, this may sound like negative thinking. Allow yourself a reasonable number of imperfect shots per round. If you score in the nineties, I would start with ten. You can reduce the number as you improve,

Your golf swing is constantly changing, based on how you feel. The better you feel, the better the chances of re-creating a smooth swing.

Would you feel better allowing yourself to hit poor shots or beating yourself up by constantly demanding perfection?

Consistency is not an all or nothing concept. The worlds' best players understand the unpredictability of the game. Developing the mindset to accept this fact is the most important element you can learn from the world's best players.