June 1, 2009 -- So many things in the game of golf are out of our control, and how we handle those things can often determine our success. When you think about improving your game, what comes to mind? Most people will generally think of tangible things like practicing more, taking lessons, or getting new clubs. Although addressing these things will lead to some improvement, it certainly is not the whole equation. Two other extremely important factors to long-term game improvement were highlighted in the playoff at the Crowne Plaza Invitational -- the ability to stay patient and the presence and acceptance of luck. So what can we learn from the playoff that will help us with our own games? Let's look at Steve Stricker and Tim Clark.

Tim Clark had a number of opportunities to capture his first win on the PGA Tour. (Photo: Getty Images)

Coming down the stretch, Steve Stricker had the opportunity to tie Clark for the lead, but pulled two short putts. It would have been easy to let this affect the rest of his round. How many times do you get off to a bad start on the first couple of holes and think "It's going to be one of those days?!?!" Most players find it difficult to turn their game around when it's on a downhill slide. However Stricker did the opposite -- he ends up chipping in from a difficult spot and gets in a playoff. Faced with short putt on the second playoff hole to win, I wonder if he was at all thinking about the previous short putts he had missed. And if he was, what was he doing to stay focused on the putt he had? Whatever it was it worked, because he drained the putt to win the tournament. So what can we learn from Steve? In order to be successful, you must have a process to get your mind to focus on the task on hand. Use of this process consistently throughout a round of golf is my definition of patience.

Tim Clark's shot into the green on the second playoff hole also showed tremendous poise. After leading the whole day and hitting 80% of fairways for 71 holes, he hooks his tee shot on the last hole in regulation leading to a bogey and costing him the tournament. With that behind him, Clark was still able to focus on the present shot and hit a beauty into the green on the second playoff hole, so good it hits the pin but kicks some 25 feet away. That is bad luck! How many times in a round do you get a bad kick, lip-out a putt, or land in an old divot and carry the anger with you for the next few holes? Does it affect your performance negatively on those following holes? What we can learn from Tim Clark is this: Luck is a factor that is and will always be present in the game of golf...and we have no control over it. Learning to accept it for what it is will help you recover quicker and ultimately lead to lower scores.

Some people call it "the golf gods" or more commonly "the rub of the green." Everyone is going to get their share of good breaks -- and bad ones. Accept that you'll get both and then focus on the next shot. When a break happens -- good or bad -- recognize it as something you knew would happen and move on to the next shot. Steve Stricker had some bad fortune on Sunday, but never let it affect his focus on what needed to be done next. In the end, he was rewarded for that ability to concentrate on the present. Work this mental toughness into your game, you'll be a better player for it as well.

Scott Szymoniak is the Director of Instruction for Canongate Golf Clubs in Atlanta, Georgia. He has coached professionals on six different tours worldwide who have combined to earn over $4 million in prize money. He has also led players to collegiate victories at the Division I and II levels. Scott created and developed the Learning Center at Country Club of the South in conjunction with the Mizuno Test and Research facility before joining the Canongate group. Scott can be reached at sszymoniak@canongategolf.com.