April 7 -- First off, I want to congratulate Johnson Wagner on his first PGA Tour victory in his home state of Texas and to wish him the best of luck next week since he has now qualified for his first Masters. For those who watched the tournament, it was no fluke that Mr. Wagner took home the trophy. He led wire to wire, tied his own course record in the first round, and made all the clutch putts he needed to keep himself at the top of the leaderboard. It was both impressive and educational.

Now, let's talk about what you can learn from Johnson's win. What can you take away from his victory to help you with your golf game?

Johnson Wagner's ability to keep his composure on the final hole was pivotal in helping him win the Shell Houston Open. (Wireimage.com)

Watching Johnson's last round, two circumstances in particular stuck out to me. The first came on the 17th tee. Johnson had hit what Johnny Miller called "quick pulls" to the left on numbers 4, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 12 and now was standing on the long par 4 17th with a two-shot lead. If Johnson missed the fairway on this long par four, it would be extremely difficult to make par. Johnson hit a great tee shot down the middle of the fairway and went on to make par. Then one of the worst things that can happen to anyone in a pressure situation happened on the 18th tee -- a long wait. In fact, the announcers described it as "agonizingly long". Johnson, with the tournament on the line and one of the toughest driving holes on the course - and after waiting for what he had to consider "forever" - was able to keep the drive safely out of the water that was to the left of the fairway, the same water which had lead to 35 double bogeys and 33 "others" throughout the week. Johnson went on to make a valiant par on no. 18 and win the tournament.

Do you ever wonder how these players on Tour can play shot after shot, many good, but some bad and then - seemingly unfazed - pull off a shot we would consider the "best of our lives" under pressure many of us couldn't even imagine? To many, this may seem impossible, but to be honest, if you set your game and mind up correctly, it's something every golfer can do.

I played many amateur and mini-tour events for a number of years and was able to play along with several well known players like Zach Johnson, Chad Campbell and several others. It was always interesting to watch these players in person (inside the ropes), especially when the pressure was increasing toward the end of a tournament and they were leading or close to the lead - it seemed as if they became "stupid". At least that is what it seemed to me. They would hit a shot, a poor shot with a bad result, and then approach the next as if the previous shot never occurred. I used to think "these guys aren't smart enough to realize they just hit a bad shot, is their memory that short?" But over time, I came to realize it was just the opposite, not a matter of intelligence, but rather a "state of mind" they had acquired.

Moe Norman, considered by many as one of the world's greatest ball strikers and the one Tiger Woods said "Is one of two who ever truly owned their swing (the other was Ben Hogan)" referred to this state of mind as an Alert Attitude of Indifference. (To learn more about Moe Norman you can go to www.moenorman.com) An attitude in which you give it your "best shot" and then are indifferent to the results.

Now, that sounds great in theory, but how do you give it your best shot, so you can develop an Alert Attitude of Indifference when playing your game.

We at the Graves Golf Academy (GGA) have developed a systematic approach to better golf for all golfers, no matter their current level or ability. A system which will help all golfers eliminate their continual question of "how do I get better?", but rather create a system that will guarantee improvement. We call it the 7 Principles of Golf Improvement.

Principle #1 - Create / Develop a Repeatable, Powerful Swing of Ease.

Do not get trapped into thinking you need to swing like the "20 something young guns" on tour. As stated, develop a repeatable "swing of ease". We recommend modeling Moe's single axis swing as we have proven, (as our 1,000s of students prove every day), and Moe proved over his life, his model is a swing for everyone. It is a consistent, repeatable model, that you don't need a "20 something" body to perform and perfect. Tiger once said Moe hit the ball so straight and consistent it was "frightening". Moe's swing is a swing for life.

Principle #2 - Develop and Efficient Short Game

The quickest way to better scoring is improving your short game. Never forget, over 50% of scoring occurs within 50 yards of the green and no one golfer has an advantage over the next in this area. It is not physical strength that effects your short game ability, but rather a matter of practicing this portion of the game properly and giving it enough practice time. You should spend at least 50% of your practice sessions practicing your short game. Most average golfers don't give this area enough time or effective practice to improve their short game.

Principle #3 - Become a Good Putter (Under 30 putts per round).

Do you know the average scratch golfer averages less than 30 putts per round. And the average 30 handicap golfer averages over 42 putts per round. Meaning, a golfer who averages around a 100 each time they play golf can bring their game into the 80s by just working on their putting.

FYI - Johnson didn't 3 putt until his 68th hole of the tournament. How many golfers can go even 9 holes without a 3 putt?

Principle #4 - Make Sure Your Clubs Fit Your Game

Does your driver have enough loft for your swing speed?
Do you have the proper set make up for your swing speed?
Do your club's lie angles fit your swing?
Don't fight your clubs, make sure your clubs are fit to YOU to help you play your best golf.

Principle #5 - Learn to Play the Course Using Developed Skills (Course Management)

You must understand your game, understand your strengths and weaknesses and ultimately learn how to take your skills to the golf course. As your skills improve, so will your confidence in different shots and circumstances. Combining these with proper course management will allow you to score to your ability. As Moe said "Don't let the course eat you, you eat the course."

Principle #6 - Learn to Practice Efficiently

It has been shown, of every 10 golfers who practice, 1 will show improvement, 5 will show no improvement and 4 will actually get worse after their practice session. You must learn how to "Practice with a Purpose" every time you are working on your game. As Moe said "Don't just spend time, spend it wisely."

Principle #7 - Learn How to Think

This is not only on the course, but as important, off the course as well. You must learn to manage your mind not only during a round, but also during practice. If you cannot built confidence during practice, you will not be able acquire confidence during play.

Could you imagine starting a new business without a plan? Or traveling to a new location without a map? The problem is most golfers approach their golf games with this mentality.

We suggest building your golf game as if you were developing a business plan or mapping out a new location. There are different points to your plan (7 Principles), determine the strengths and weaknesses of your plan, and attack the weaknesses. You will only be as good as the weakest part of your game, but by using the 7 Principles of Golf Improvement you can now build your game with a set plan. And not get "lost" on the way as so many golfers do. It is not difficult to dramatically improve your game if you have a plan!

Moe used to perform numerous ball striking demonstrations every year, many in front of touring professionals. In his demonstrations, Moe used to say, "You take this dumb thing (pointing at his golf club), hit that dumb thing (pointing at the golf ball), to that dumb thing (pointing at the flag/target), this is the smart thing (pointing at his head)." By this, Moe was reminding us what we too often forget, we are in control of our game, we control the golf club and golf ball and ultimately it is our decision to improve or not. We at the GGA believe it is within everyone's ability to take their golf game to levels they have only dreamed, and ultimately will be able to hit shots as the professionals do with "An Alert Attitude of Indifference".

Good Luck

Tim Graves, PGA, along with his brother Todd Graves, founded the Graves Golf Academy (GGA) in 2000 to help golfers of all skill levels reach their full potential. Teaching the swing mechanics of Moe Norman, regarded by many as the "World's Greatest Ball Striker", the Academy has helped thousands of golfers improve their scores and enjoy the game again. As a close, personal friend of Moe Norman, Todd was given the nickname "Little Moe" for his swing likeness to that of the legend and his ability to teach Moe's swing. Tim, accomplished as both an amateur and professional player, brings his knowledge and insight of the scoring game to the Academy's instruction. The Graves Golf Academy has locations at Coffee Creek Golf Club in Edmond, OK and Eagle Creek Golf Club in Orlando, FL, as well as schools across the U.S. and Canada. The GGA carries on the legacy of the "World's Greatest Ball striker" with one core mission, to help frustrated golfers enjoy the game again and reach their true golfing potential. For more information about the Graves Golf Academy , please call (866)377-2316 or visit www.swinglikemoe.com .