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Ever wanted to ask a player or coach a question? Now’s your chance. They will answer readers’ questions in The Denver Post’s “Fan Mail” feature.

Keep an eye out for the next installment, when Rapids striker Conor Casey, a U.S. national soccer team player and pride of Denver South High, takes questions about the pitch. Send Q’s for Conor in an email to fanmail@denverpost.com.

How do pro golfers adjust so quickly to playing at high altitude? Having lived in Denver my whole life, whenever I play golf at sea level it takes me a while to figure out the yardages for each club. I’ve heard that pros like to use a few tricks to keep the balls from sailing here, like knocking down their short iron shots. Is this correct? What other tricks do they like to use?

–Eric, Englewood

Paul Azinger: We always have to make playing adjustments according to our location. You just have to do a little math. Typically the ball will travel 10-15 percent farther at high altitudes.

In Colorado, my history has not been a good one. I’ve really struggled at the International. At Castle Pines, there’s a lot of elevation change with the altitude. I’ve probably averaged 4-5 shots pin high a day there. One of the strengths of a player who’s playing well is hitting almost all his shots pin high.

I’ve yet to put my finger on why. I feel like, for me, I have to adjust distance somewhere between 8-12 percent. It’s simple math. You can get a baseline to work from, from your home course. Then, depending on the course, you should be able to adjust from the baseline maybe 8 percent of what you used to for a level shot.

It’s just simple math. And it’s carry distance.

How were you able to successfully wrangle such extreme personalities on the winning 2008 Ryder Cup Team?

–Ginger, Englewood

PA: I tried to understand the player’s personalities and communicate accordingly to who they were.

Through the tournament, I didn’t change anything. But I changed the way the team was picked beforehand. I felt assured that the hottest American players would be there. I had an approach to team-building that I stuck with.

My whole approach was based on a military approach, from the Navy SEALs. It came from a documentary I’d seen awhile back. I felt like the team should be divided into smaller teams. And I sold them on it. They embraced it and were engaged in it. In the pairings, I based them on personality profiles.

What I felt was important was for players to bond in small groups. And to know there’s no shortcut to success. I asked them to prepare together, knowing I wouldn’t split them up. I was trying to build a team.

In blackjack in Las Vegas, the house has a 1 percent edge. That’s not much. But it works. They make money. When the Americans play the Europeans in the Ryder Cup, the teams are pretty close. I figured a 1 percent advantage would be big. I’d take that any day. So that’s what I was going for with the team.

I can’t hit a shot. I can’t play for them. I have to trust them and get out of the way. They’re the best players in the world. All I did was create an environment, then trusted them. They loved that.

Hi Paul, you’ve always been one of my favorite golfers. My question to you is which one of the younger, two or three golfers on tour is ready to take on Tiger head on … and not let the intimidation factor bother them. I believe with all of Tiger Woods problems the intimidation factor has already began to wane.

–Howard, Monument

PA: I don’t see anyone close to his level at this point.

I’m sure everybody’s gonna say Rory McIlroy or somebody else. But how are you gonna say that? McIlroy’s missed like three cuts this year alone. Tiger missed six cuts his whole life.

What am I supposed to say? The next guy ready to take on Tiger is Tiger. Or some kid who’s still in the fourth grade or something. Is there gonna be another Wayne Gretzky? I don’t know. I’m not a psychic. But right now, I don’t see anybody close to Tiger. Not if Tiger is Tiger. That’s my opinion.

Do you find being a rookie on the Champions Tour an advantage or disadvantage?

–Shelby, Englewood

PA: It hasn’t been an advantage so far!

Have you ever used a sports psychologist? Has this helped your performance? How would you recommend 10-16 handicappers address the mental aspects of golf to improve performance?

–Mike, Westminster

PA: Yes, it’s been invaluable. I would suggest that 10-16 handicappers read some of the books on the topic to discover insights into the mental game of golf.

I learned the importance of visualization and preparation. I learned that there’s a repetitive nature to golf, that’s usually identified as routine. Sports psychology helped me to realize that statistically, the best players don’t hit the perfect shot every time. It just doesn’t happen. But visualization can dial you in every time. The best lesson I learned was to see what I wanted to happen before I tired to execute it.

If there’s a cloud in the sky, I see that cloud when I picture the ball flight. I was always real ball-flight conscious. A lot of times, it eliminates the fear of right and left. It seems to straighten everything out.

Like, in 1985 I had a good chance, I was in the top 10 for the first time. But I didn’t really have a routine to fall back on to alleviate the pressure. And I just got discombobulated.

The key is to have a regimented approach. Tiger is regimented. He does the exact same thing every time. And he’s successful.

How did being the captain of such a major international event change your perspective as a player when you returned to competition? Do you find yourself drawing on the Ryder Cup experiences during certain situations on the golf course now?

–David, Grand Junction

PA: Serving as Captain was the greatest honor and challenge of my career. Playing in the Ryder Cup is typically a stepping-stone to greatness. Most players experience the pressure of the Ryder Cup and are then able to handle Major Championship pressure better. Players usually win their first major after that experience.

This book I wrote, it’s not instructing you, it just brings you along about how everything unfolded. Book stores are screaming for more books. We’re printing 15,000 more books to send out and it’s only been out a few days.

It’s been received wonderfully.

Hi Paul, I think I saw you fly fishing on a Sunday morning many years ago at Hickam Harbor in Hawaii for bonefish. How great a passion is fishing for you? And where is your favorite fishing hole?

–Mike, Colorado Springs

PA: That was probably me! Fishing is my favorite pastime passion. My favorite fishing hole is Port Sulfur, La. I like to site fly cast for red fish there.

I love to fish. I’ve fished in Colorado a couple of times, I’ve really enjoyed the trout fishing game. But it’s very different and can be difficult, matching a hatch and those things.

I have read that you are an avid poker player. Two questions. First, do you consider poker a sport or a game? Also, do your skills as a golfer translate to poker?

–Owen, Tampa

PA: I consider poker a game only in that I can stay in one position for at least four hours!

I know that you are now a “senior golfer,” but how active will you be on the regular PGA Tour? Do you think you can still win on the regular tour?

–Tracy, Loveland

PA: I think I can win anywhere if I am playing my best. But I don’t plan on playing very much on the PGA Tour.

Right now I’m in Chicago working with my old coach. At first, I was wondering if I’ll even play in Denver. I’ve had some progress though. I haven’t practiced that much the past few years. I’ve been wrapped up in the Ryder Cup.

Shoot man, I’m coming up on my 30th year! I just feel like I look down the driving range and see 80 guys more prepared than I am. But I’m coming around. I’m more prepared now.

I’m coming into Denver and I’m gonna be prepared. If I play bad, It’ll be because I played bad. But not because I wasn’t prepared.

I feel real good. I’ve made huge strides. My eyes were out of kilter. But I figured that out. It’s fun.

These freaking guys (on the Champions Tour) are good golfers. It’s a good product to watch. The old guys get it. They know how to entertain.

Paul Azinger, a 12-time PGA tour winner, won the PGA Championship in 1993 and captained the winning 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup team. was released this week and already is ranked No. 6 among sports books on He visits Colorado Golf Club in Parker for the Senior PGA Championship next week.