Here is a portion of a great golf “psychology” article from the PGA.com website. In it, Andrew Mitchell, explains the “never give up” rule about golf that separates amateurs from the pros. To read the entire article, click here.

“A Lesson Learned”. You have to stay focused and determined. Golf is never a game of “give up”. Whether you are a weekend warrior, trying to get your TOUR card, or simply an average golfer, remember, ALWAYS focus on the next shot. It doesn’t matter how your ball got to where it did, it’s how we REACT and PREPARE for the next shot. You never know what the next shot brings, and if you stay committed, it could be glory. If you lose your focus, it could be tragic. But that’s part of the beauty of golf.

Take Zach Johnson. Twice this week, he chipped in from off the green — which probably made him tens of thousands of dollars. Or how about Mark Calcavecchia? He would definitely agree. Here’s a tour pro trying to make the top ten on the money list before the Masters, to ensure a trip to Augusta. Sitting in the middle of the fairway on #18 at Doral, he probably didn’t envision an 8 on the hole. But even as the wheels came off a bit, he regained his composure. So he made an 8, he didn’t make a 9 or 10 — and he’s headed to Augusta.