Ok, that story was a bit exaggerated for most people (truth for me), but point still stands: There’s just too much instruction and tips on golf out there and we just don’t know what to do with it all! And worse, you can find a lot of it that is exactly opposite from one instructor (or pro) to other. Many of you are well aware of this fact but still get caught up in something seemingly new that gets printed or posted that could potentially be hazardous to your game. And it’s not just us amateurs that get lost in this maze. Sports psychologists make a pretty penny on their touring professionals teaching them how to “Simplify” their swings and thought processes and “Focus” on what works for them.

So, what should we do about this problem? It’s very simple: just realize that more is not better for golf instruction and to continue to read and listen to golf tips with a very discriminating eye. Over years, I have now come to realization that most published golf instruction is designed for better player and that a tip that works for 5-handicapper could be a waste of time for a 20-handicapper. Not that it isn’t good advice, but 20-hdcp should stop looking for more advice and start to work on something that will give him greatest reduction in score for time spent.

I know, I know, an article in a major magazine about “practicing good alignment” isn’t going to sell many copies even if it is 90% of all amateur golfer’s biggest problem. But inescapable fact is, if you really wanted to get better at golf, you should read a basic instruction book like Ben Hogan’s “5 lessons The Modern Fundamentals of Golf.” And, only read one section at a time and work on what was taught in that section until it becomes a regular part of your game. And don’t read any further until you don’t have to think about it to do it correctly.

The other way to go is to pick an instructor or trainer and stick with them with a full set of lessons. You will need to actively ignore any other golf instruction that has slightest hint of conflict with your lessons. If you run into something your instructor hasn’t taught you about, check with him/her. That is why golf lessons are spaced at least a week apart. Spaced repetition has long been known to be how we humans best learn things. It’s also why you can’t remember a darn thing about a subject 2 weeks after cramming for test on it.

Do same thing with any other golf instruction that you find also. Don’t be tempted to jump ahead to Chapter 10 and see how to play a draw from a downhill slope because that ain’t gonna help you. O.k., I’m sorry to ruin your fun with your favorite golf magazine. So go ahead and give yourself permission to read and enjoy it again so long as you promise to yourself that you will stick to your plan of really trying to improve by working what you’ve learned one item at a time. Now get back to that couch and finish up that unwinding session you started. And since I’m already up, how’s your drink? Can I get you another one?

“Getting to know Mickey Mantle was as much fun as playing with pros,” Dan told me later.

In one of games that Mickey was umpiring, Dan strolled to plate with bases loaded. His big chance was here and he didn’t miss opportunity as he walloped a long double into gap. He hit a rope, and as he glided into second base Mickey yelled to him, “You hit sh*^ out of that ball, Nails!”

This was like a call from God. Hearing his idol tell him how well he hit ball was more fulfilling than Dan could ever have imagined.

What could be better than meeting and then hanging out with Mickey Mantle? How about being recognized as a ballplayer by your childhood hero?

It doesn’t get any better than that.

This content of this story was contributed by Dan Markim. A long time Yankee fan.