Even the best players endure wild swings in play – striping it one day while praying to find the middle of the clubface next time out. For mid- to high handicappers, those ups and downs are even more pronounced, and when things start to unravel, it’s not always easy to stop the bleeding.

So, as you gear up for your next Myrtle Beach golf trip, here’s an average golfer’s guide to staying sane through the inevitable highs and lows:

Your score doesn’t define your day
We’ve all had rounds go off the rails where you think, “Isn’t there something else I could be doing right now?” Resist that mindset. Not only does it make your game worse, but it also misses the point. The laughs with your buddies, the scenery, the occasional pure shot – those are as important as the number on your card.

Have a Short Memory
They say a goldfish has a three-second memory. That should be your goal. A double bogey? Gone. A tee shot in the water? Forget about it. The quicker you let go, the better chance you have of salvaging your round, or at least your attitude.

Set realistic expectations
You’re excited, the trip is circled on the calendar, and you want to play your best. That’s natural. But don’t expect to “career it.” The average golfer plays to their index once every 4-5 rounds, and that’s often on familiar courses. If you can play near your handicap on new tracks, that’s a win.

Be strategic about course selection
No course is “easy,” but some are more forgiving than others. Do yourself a favor and work at least one layout into your itinerary that’s known to be scorecard friendly. May we suggest the West Course at Myrtle Beach National?

Manage the course and your emotions
With 90 golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area, odds are you’ll be playing somewhere new. That makes good course management even more important. Aim for the center of greens. Take your medicine when you get out of position. Don’t compound mistakes.

Golf is a hard game, especially for those of us in the middle. We’re good enough to believe tomorrow is the day everything comes together, but inconsistent enough to know disaster is never far off.

So, play smart. Accept the unpredictability of the game. And above all, make fun your No. 1 priority.

Top photo golfers playing the 9th hole at TPC Myrtle Beach, Pictured right golfers playing the 18th hole at Prestwick Country Club. From our Instagram Account MyrtleBeachGolfTrips