[Yoda]

My first year on tour (after a little over one year on the Nike tour (97-98 ) I caddied in the Tour Championship. When I ran into some buddies at home, they said, "Wow, you must be a great caddie." Must reponse was, "That might be true, but I'm not good enough to help your games." So take it all with a grain of salt.

1. Tough question because it really depends on what's missing. I am a big believer in mechanics. You have to be able to hit it well enough that your decisions matter. Short game. Understanding of the way to play. Ask me this one again.

2. For a ten--not a bad golfer. Management is huge. One point I made before was how would you play a hole if you had to play it 100 times for the lowest score. No crazy chances. But you have to take your shots to make some birdies to offset physical errors.

3. Totally believe in sports psychology. But not some of the strange things psychologists want you to do. To me, it all flows from desire and goals. Where you want to be as a player determines all the actions that are necessary to achieve that status. I'm not really a result type goal setter. I believe that results flow from the process. So improve the process. Mechanics, management, routine, poise. The perfect mindframe is to walk up to the shot, read the lie , wind, yardage, etc. Pull the club and swing like you think will go where you aim. No outcome. Just make the shot.

Of course, the architects mess with you, the past messes with you, crowds, position in tourney. Some guys just aren't dumb enough to allow it to be so simple. I think psychologists can help you understand how you behave when you play your best without adding a bunch of junk to work on. Also, golf is a brutal and lonely game. Traveling around playing golf for a living can be a grind, even if you can't wait to get to the course every day. A really good psychologist can help keep you fresh and focused. I do think there is alot of work to be done in the future along the lines of a freethrow shooter making 100 in a row. Phil does it with 3 footers. Someone will learn to do it with full swings like Hogan did.

4. Preshot routine is important enough that I have snapped at a player for varying his. He said something about not making any putts and wanting to mix it up. I said, "You'll never be any good doing that." I work pretty hard on my swing but don't play that much. I used to play every day for years for money. Recently I played in a Ryder Cup style match. I had not played under that kind of pressure in a long time. Even though I drove it flawlessly, I didn't play great the first day because I didn't hit my irons close. Thinking about it between the second and third days (did not play day one) I realized that it was my routine. The one thing that's mandatory is really locking in on the target. Committed to that the next day. Much better in my singles match. I want the routine to be fairly short and crisp. Act like you know what you are doing. Make it look like you are confident. It might rub off on you.

5. Not that follow the tour. Might be some that know you are coming to town.

6. Love or JOB. Usually both. When it's going really good, it's fun, but that's a result of doing your work. It's a life of highs and lows. Look at Jay, last year he wasn't sure if he should keep playing. You know about this year.

7. One is St. Andrews. You know it's a thinking course when you are hitting driver, the next guy hits a five wood, and the last guy hits a five iron. Augusta gives you alot of choices--atleast before the last changes, which I have not seen. My favorites are like Westchester (exactly) traditional. Tough pins. Firm greens. Really windy. Where a good score is a good score. I don't like courses that dictate where you have to hit it.

8. Might be Will MacKenzie.

9. Ask Neal Lancaster.

10. If you ever think you could hit the shot better than your man, it's time to find a new player.

Another priceless post, Henny. Thanks!

As for the best 'Neal Lancaster' story...

I vote for The Condor and his self-piloted airplane ride.