"Failure in life is not about falling down, it's when you don't get back up."

That profound statement reminds me of what all sports are about.We all are smiles and the world is wonderful when we are playing well.However,once the wheels start falling off it becomes a bleak scenario that throws us into a dark arena of loathing and self-destuction.Even the best golfers in the world have hit this preverbial wall of despair from time to time.True champions in life learn to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and learn from their mistakes and get back on their horse and move onward.

This is where having good sound fundamentals are essential to success and getting back to the road to recovery quickly.If your golf swing is made up of a bunch of quick fixes and band-aid solutions then your chances of playing good consistent golf on a regular basis is minimal at best.Golf is a billion dollar industry of mis-information.Manufacturers of equipment want you to spend lots of money on a club that will help you hit it further,or with golf balls with more backspin for better control.There is a laundry list of these types of examples whereby golf companies try to make it seem like if you don't use my club or golf ball you can't play your best.

We live a day and age where we have this incredible technology as it applies to golf,however the masses playing the game are not getting any better than they did years ago.It's learning how to use this wonderful equipment properly to get the most out of what it is offering and claiming it can do that is important.People believe they can go out and buy a golf game if they drop a couple thousand on clubs,balls and all the other golf related knick knacks.Let me save you the trouble and hopefully money and tell you that going about it in that manner will only lead you down a path of frustration and never achieving your goals as they relate to the game.

Golf is not "Rocket science" in learning how to play well.I'll give you an example of how I get my students to "Never have limits,because limited people build barriers that inhibit them from succeeding in life."I will have my players practice with all types of drills involving initially balance.When your game gets off track first check that your balance is in tune.Having players hit balls with feet together,crossing right leg over left and vice versa.Hitting with only one leg and then reverseing doing it with the other leg.Try hitting with one arm only left first and then right.Making them hit balls blindfolded to get a sense of how their swing feels and lose focus of staring at the ball which can hypnotize you into hitting it.This also builds trust in your swing that if you line up correctly and measure yourself to the ball all you have to do is swing and project to your target which is the fairway or green not the golf ball.If done correctly the ball will be in the way and get hit automatically.Another fun shot all the juniors like to do is hitting off your knees.This forces you to stay centered like all the other drills and maintain good balance.Try it and I think you'll see if you just allow your arms to swing around a restricted,fixed foundation how centifugal force will come into play instead of brute force.I can hit it about 280 yards on average off the tee and have even shot a round of par 72 golf years ago in Puerto Vallarta,Mexico where I used to live while giving a playing lesson to a friend of mine.Playing the whole round on my knees except putting because I didn't want to damage the greens.I think he got the point that I was trying to drive home to him that day.

These examples and plenty more that I incorporate into my teachings makes the game fun for people learning and proves that anyone with a disabilty can play the game at a high level just by maintaining your balance.So when things in your swing start to go array check your balance first because without having a sturdy foundation your house of cards are sure to tumble.

Tom Ward can be reached at www.adventurousgolf.com.