Golf can be a great sport. There isn't much better than hitting a towering drive off the tee that lands just on the fringe of the green on par four. Then an easy chip and put for a birdie. The problem is that between those perfect holes, you've got to suffer a few (or a couple dozen for some of us) not so great holes. What can you do?

The most overlooked way to improve your golf game is through strong, practiced visualization. Ask any professional, and they'll tell you that a big part of their success is solid, consistent, visualization. When you visualize something, you are giving direct instructions to your subconscious mind on how you want to perform.

Imagine a golf swing, a tee shot for example. Do you think specifically about what angle you are holding the club face, or how far back to go on the back swing? Do you know exactly what angle with which the club face strikes the ball? Likely not.

If you are like most people, you have a vague idea of what direction you'd like the ball to go in. Then you swing away, and hope for the best. As luck would have it, this doesn't work with any amount of consistency. Sometimes you get lucky, and hit one straight down the middle, other times you don't even bother looking for your ball.

So how do you tap into your powerful subconscious mind to improve your game? Easy. Combine some powerful statements, with some strong visualizations, and repeat them in a relaxed, almost sleepy state.

For example, if you'd like a better tee-shot, you may say something like this:

I always drive my ball straight down the center of the fairway. Hitting straight shots off the tee is natural for me. My friends are envious of my consistent tee shot.

While you are saying this, visualize your ball going straight down the center of the fairway. Imagine hearing your friends saying what a great shot it is. Imagine how you feel when you hit such a great shot.

The best time to say this to yourself, and use your visualization is to get in a relaxed, almost asleep state. Sit in a comfortable chair, take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. Imagine seeing the numbers starting with ten, and going down to one. When you get to one, take several deep breaths, and simply say "relax" to yourself softly.

Then start to slowly and quietly repeat your statement to yourself, while seeing the ball go straight down the center.

If you do this two or three times a day for a week or two, you will see some dramatic improvements in your tee shot. After you've perfected this part of your game, you can move on to your short game, or putting, or whatever else you'd like to improve.