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So how do you play well, think smartly, and play fast? In his article Ferguson cited someone who is doing the right thing:

Tim Herron took about two minutes to figure out how to play his second shot to the green on Friday of the Sony Open. His ball was in the rough, 187 yards to a flag tucked behind the bunker. Was the ball going to take off on him from that lie? How much? 6-iron or 7-iron? If it had been in the fairway, caddie Lance Ten Broeck told him it would be a smooth 6-iron. Aim at the corner of the trap and cut it back toward the flag? Play for the middle of the green?

The entire conversation took place while the group ahead was putting. As soon as the group left the green, Herron's shot was in the air. That's how golf is meant to be played. Beautiful.

Golf is a great sport to be played by the average person. It’s a social game – allowing you to spend four hours of quality time with your friends and family. And if you walk, it’s a great sport for fitness.

But play it the right way: thoughtful, efficient, yet fast – ready golf as juniors are taught nowadays – and you’ll play better, have more fun, get more people to play and stay healthy at the same time.

Jeremy Schilling can be followed on Twitter at @Jschil.

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