Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md., was the venue for the inaugural AT&T National, the golf tournament hosted by Tiger Woods this past weekend. The tournament, organized in just 116 days was a huge success, attracting over 139,000 people for the event.

K.J. Choi was a deserving champion. He did a superb job of playing his game, overcoming some tough situations, and staying focused on hitting the best possible shot every time he swung the club. It's not a surprise that he won. And winning The Memorial, Jack Nicklaus' tournament, and now Tiger's tournament, that's a pretty impressive double-play. But as great a feat as it was for Mr. Choi, this was Tiger's week.

The Earl Woods Memorial Pro-Am was fittingly played on July 4, the day before the National kicked off. Former President George H.W. Bush was present to hit a drive at the first tee of the famed Blue Course upon which the tournament was played. Tiger Woods teed off with an airman and soldier to open the pro-am to the enjoyment and delight of a gallery fitting a major tournament. The field of golfers competing in the tournament was an impressive salute to Tiger but more so to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have so valiantly served and protected this country while serving in the Military.

Tiger's father and best friend, Earl Woods, was a Green Beret in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War for two full tours. The selection process for a Green Beret is arduous. A soldier's capabilities are assessed by testing his physical, emotional, and mental stamina. The disciplined Earl Woods fit the bill to a "T." It was all of these qualities and attributes that Earl Woods passed on to a young Tiger. It is all of these qualities and attributes that make Tiger a giant among men and most probably the best golfer to ever play the game.

If there were one word to best describe Tiger Woods it would have to be DISCIPLINED! It is through the kind of "military discipline" that we all can learn something, especially the average golfer!

What makes successful people successful is Discipline. All golfers, whether they are beginner or TOUR players, become better because of discipline. It was evident, as I watched from the gallery at Congressional, that each player exhibited their discipline in different ways and to different extents.

For the beginner to average golfer, the very least discipline one should acquire involves the three P's: Preparation, Pre-Shot Routine, and Patience!

Preparation: Preparing your body before you play golf is a step in the right direction. Standing on the first tee, cold, doesn't give you your best chance of playing to the best of your ability. Warming up is about loosening up and developing a feel before you hit your first shot on the course. When you are at the range, the first thing you want to do is to stretch your body and warm up your muscles.

One way to accomplish this is to take two of your short irons and get into your regular posture with the clubs a couple of feet off the ground. Using a two handed grip, swing the arms and clubs in, up and around your body as your weight is shifting to the right and then your weight shifting back to the left. Repeat several times. (For the left-handed golfer it is just the opposite.) Once you feel ready and loose enough, take your wedge, aim at a target, and hit a few shots. Then take your 8-iron, aim for a different target and take a few shots, repeat with your 6-iron. Then change targets, tee up a few fairway woods. Remember the warm up is about getting ready to play not about working on your swing or mechanical thoughts. Spend a few minutes around the green. Hit a few pitch shots, a few long putts and finish with a few short putts. Your warm-up should take 20-30 minutes.

Pre-Shot Routine: As I was standing on the ninth tee at Congressional, I noticed from all these great players, that all their routines were a little bit different. Some took several practice swings, some took few and some didn't take any. The consistent theme to all however, was that they approached their target from behind the ball. Each golfer visualized the shot they were planning to hit. They picked an intermediate target, which was in line with their ultimate target and they aimed their club at that intermediate target, placing their feet parallel to their target line.

Another common and consistent feature to their routines was prior to swinging, they looked more at their target than at the ball. What that tells me is that they were not into thinking mechanical thoughts but rather readying themselves to swing the club and react to the target. No matter what routine you choose, make it the same every time.

Patience: The previous two disciplines lean more to the physical quality and aspect of the game. Patience is the emotional and mental stamina that allows one to be better than all the rest. It is an inner peace, a steely resolve, it is a foxhole! Patience is knowing your strengths and your weaknesses and accepting them. It knows who you are right now and who you strive to become. It is a calming aura when hell is breaking loose. Patience is knowing the future is ahead of you.

Tiger Woods grew up in a Military Family. It is fitting that his name is tied to this special tournament. The discipline his Green Beret father passed on to him has certainly contributed greatly to his success on and off the golf course. We salute and congratulate Tiger and everyone in the United States Military.

On a personal note, I want to congratulate Tiger and his wife, Elin, on the birth of their daughter Sam Alexis. Health and Happiness to all.

Golf is a game of leisure. Have fun playing it!

Rick Krebs is the PGA Director of Instruction at Turf Valley Resort, Conference Center and Spa in Ellicott City, Maryland. He was named the 2001 Mid-Atlantic Teacher of the Year and has also been cited by Golf Magazine as a Top Regional Teacher from 2003-2007 and as a Golf Digest Top Teacher in the State in 2005-2006. He can be reached at rickkrebsgolf@yahoo.com or by phone at 443-286-1986. You can learn more about Rick at his website, www.rickkrebs.com.