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This bad economy is going to hit every aspect of your golf game. Higher gas prices will keep you from driving to the driving & practice ranges as often. Higher greens fees will keep you from playing every weekend like you want. Less money in savings will prevent you from getting those shiny new clubs you've had your eye on. Your time on the golf course - the one thing that gives you so much pleasure, and lets you put the buy Linden dollars out of your mind for a few hours - will be intruded upon by the bad economy.

But do you give up on your game? Do you say that improvement is not possible next year, or the next few years? Are you stuck where you are - as good as you are - until the stock market decides that you have enough money to get new clubs and spend more time practicing and improve your game? No.

Now is the time to focus on the one part of the game you have total control over: yourself. You can spend this time getting in shape, instead of spending more time on the driving range. You can improve your concentration and focus, instead of trying putt after putt after putt. You can stretch and increase your club speed naturally, instead of dipping into your savings to buy clubs that promise longer drives, but don't deliver.

Bad economic conditions are almost always dealt with by looking at them as opportunities, rather than losses. Sure, your 401(k) has lost value. So don't make it worse by buying clubs you don't need. Or by hiring instructors to tell you what you already know. Invest in yourself. Improve your swing by improving your fitness and flexibility, and you will see better results than with all the new clubs in the world.

ERIK CARTER maintains the GOLF FITNESS blog ( GolfFitness.blog.comhttp://GolfFitness.blog.com), and is the author of The FATHER'S RIGHTS LIBRARY ( FathersRightsLibrary.bravehost.comhttp://FathersRightsLibrary.bravehost.com), to help fathers who don't have custody of their children, stay in their children's lives.