State of the Swing

February has come and gone and while Southern New England was spared the fate of New York, Philadelphia, and D.C., all the rain forced even the most stubborn courses in the area to close down. But through the rain clouds, March emerges front loaded with fair weather.

Take advantage of the seasonal weather by playing a round or two and take stock of your game. If you used the winter month to fine tune your swing, examine your results and see if the subtle differences you worked hard for have poked their head out. If, like me, you underwent a complete overhaul, use the first few rounds to adjust to a new trajectory, ball flight, spin and distance.

Managing expectations is an important part of the game for mid to high handicappers. We need to understand what we see on television and what others around the club might be able to do isn't our reality. I watched Dustin Johnson seek out the bunker on the par five 18th hole when he needed a birdie to win. He calmly knocked it inside six feet and made the putt for consecutive wins at Pebble Beach. That isn't my game and I'll bet anything it isn't yours, so when you find yourself with a tricky approach don't get cute with something you saw on the Golf Channel. Understand your ability, and recognize taking the bogey and running might save your round.

I have spent two months hitting balls, taking lessons, and upgrading my equipment. None of this changes the fact that I have never broken 90. No matter how well I've been striking the ball at the range, it is unreasonable to expect to fire an 89 this week. However, I will break 90 in the next six weeks. Put it on the board -- it is going to happen.

Enjoy the warm weather this weekend, and try to find time to play. Remember to stay warm, go low, and keep calm.