That’s right, Augusta is on television again and it’s time to dust off the golf clubs. The great thing about a new season is that it holds the promise of a fresh start.

Hopefully you have spent the winter in other than couch-potato mode. I am just finishing my fifth year of Golf Fitness classes at SCORE in Countryside working with certified fitness trainer Mary Jo Schulte. The participants have strained and sweat for the past 10-or-so weeks and are eagerly awaiting the chance to tee it up for real.
Although any exercise program is better than none, it is important to learn proper technique in stretching and lifting before you get going. Consult your fitness professional to avoid injury.

But getting back to playing, one of the best things about that first round is that you usually tee off with low expectations and few, if any, swing thoughts. On reflection, having played this game for around 40 years or so, these were almost always the parameters for my best rounds.

With this in mind here are six suggestions for your Golf Year Resolutions:

1. I will arrive at the golf course at least 45 minutes before my tee time. This gives me time to stretch, hit a few balls, chip, putt and relax.

2. I will clear my mind before every shot and give it my best effort. There’s plenty of time
between shots to think about work, kids, etc.

3. I will focus on the shot, not the result of the shot. That is the only thing that I have control over.

4. I will let go all negative feelings after a bad shot and approach the next shot with renewed effort.

5. I will be ready to hit when it is my turn. If we all do that, rounds will take less time.

6. I will remember that I am out here to have fun.

In my opinion, if you can be successful only 50 percent of the time with these resolutions, you will have a better golf season.

Now settle back and watch the Masters broadcast on CBS Sports. Enjoy the azaleas.

Ian Grant, our golf columnist, is a PGA teaching professional and a member of the teaching faculty of the PGA of America. He can be found at Oak Brook Golf Club in the summer and White Pines Golf Dome in Bensenville in the winter. You can contact Ian at (708) 917-8951, or at iansgolf@aol.com.