AMY ALCOTT

You could argue that if the average golfer plays a golf course with 430-yard par 4s and they always miss the green, that's good practice. It's definitely great practice to play a course that's too long for you.

The pressure of getting an order right is greater than sinking a putt.

Golf is a spiritual game. It's like Zen. You have to let your mind take over.

Golf isn't just about hitting a lot of drivers. I grew up playing on my front lawn, chipping and putting into soup cans, out of the ivy and over rose bushes and hedges - the little Alcott Golf and Country Club. I just loved having a wedge in my hands.

Concentrate, play your game, and don't be afraid to win.

Keep your sense of humor. There's enough stress in the rest of your life not to let bad shots ruin a game you're supposed to enjoy.

Don't give advice unless you're asked.

I don't think the philosophy really changes between men and women. I think golf courses need to become more distance-friendly overall. I think golf courses almost need to develop a more generic set of tees instead of calling them black, blue, red or whatever.

What makes a great golf course is continuity and variety: right-to-left holes, left-to-right holes.

My parents didn't play golf.

I don't think the philosophy really changes between men and women. I think golf courses need to become more distance-friendly overall. I think golf courses almost need to develop a more generic set of tees instead of calling them black, blue, red or whatever.

The pressure of getting an order right is greater than sinking a putt.

You could argue that if the average golfer plays a golf course with 430-yard par 4s and they always miss the green, that's good practice. It's definitely great practice to play a course that's too long for you.

Golf is a spiritual game. It's like Zen. You have to let your mind take over.

My parents didn't play golf.

What makes a great golf course is continuity and variety: right-to-left holes, left-to-right holes.

Don't give advice unless you're asked.

Golf isn't just about hitting a lot of drivers. I grew up playing on my front lawn, chipping and putting into soup cans, out of the ivy and over rose bushes and hedges - the little Alcott Golf and Country Club. I just loved having a wedge in my hands.

Concentrate, play your game, and don't be afraid to win.

Keep your sense of humor. There's enough stress in the rest of your life not to let bad shots ruin a game you're supposed to enjoy.