Know Your Limits
One way to improve your overall golf score is to play within your limits. How many times have you tried to clear a hazard instead of laying it up short? How many times have you tried cutting a corner only to end up in the trees? We all do it at some stage, it’s human nature.
When playing, high handicappers tend to be risk takers. However, if you learn to control yourself, you are much more likely to come out with a better score in the end. Here are some simple guidelines to decide whether or not the risk outweighs the reward:
1. Will it eliminate a shot?
There is no point in risking cutting a corner if you’re going to be one shot away from the green if you hit to the dog-leg instead. If a risk does not come associated with a reward, then there is absolutely no reason to take it.
2. Are you having a purple patch?
If you’re having a good day, it might be worth taking the risk. You’ll need confidence and accuracy to make the shot worthwhile. If you’re getting to the end of the round and have had a horrible day, then you probably should just play it safe.
3. Have you practiced the shot?
If you have only read about how to play a shot like the one that you want to try, then you should play it safe. The driving range is where you need to get the funky shots worked out, not during the actual round.
4. Play bogey golf.
Change your thinking to playing bogey golf. If you have a high handicap, chances are, you won’t be scoring par, and this can frustrate people. However you have more chance of scoring bogey, so make that your “par”.
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Bunker Shots End Up Short Of The Hole
Most high handicappers come up short out of greenside bunkers about 90% of the time.
This is the result of not accelerating the club through the sand - they get scared they will hit the ball to hard and fly over the green.
As you set up in the bunker, think in terms of striking the sand […]
Setting Goals
Most high handicappers set goals of breaking 100 or 90.
Instead of thinking in terms of breaking a particular score, set your goals around things like number of fairways hit, number of greens in regulation, number of sand saves, and number of putts.
As you practice to make yourself better in these things, your score will improve […]
Putting From Off The Green
Putting from off the green is an excellent way to get the ball close to the hole without worrying about hitting it fat or thin.
One thing that you must take into consideration though, is that you have to hit your ball with more force than you usually would on the green, for the amount of […]
Practice Chipping With A Glove Under Your Arm
To hit solid chip shots, your arms need to stay close to your body.
Place a glove under your front armpit when you chip balls in practice. The glove should never fall to the ground.
This way you will learn the feeling of keeping your left arm connected to your body, and the results will amaze […]
Stop Those Fat Shots
Hitting the ball ‘fat’ or striking the ground behind the ball is a very common problem for high handicappers.
One way to correct it is to try and hit the ball on a lower trajectory while you practice. Do not change the ball position relative to your stance, just try and hit the ball lower.
You […]
Practice Your Weight Shift
A lot of wild shots are caused by a poor weight shift.
To help you get a good feeling for the proper weight shift on the course, make it part of your pre-shot routine. Make a slow motion practice swing and load almost all of your weight on your back foot when you are fully coiled […]
Takeaway Sets Golf Swing In Motion
Taking the club away from the ball to start the backswing is one of the most important parts of the golf swing.
A lot of problems occur by snatching the club back too quickly (mistakenly thinking that speed here equals power), lifting the club (as opposed to moving it away) or having your hands start moving […]
Practice Chipping With A 5 iron
To practice chipping for accuracy, you must be able to:
- catch the ball cleanly,
- get it into the air,
- get it rolling as soon as possible.
Instead of using a wedge, try practicing with a 5 iron. This will force you to concentrate on making crisp smooth contact and a smooth stroke, or you will […]
Know When To Stop Practicing
When practicing, avoid hitting balls when you are tired or have sore muscles.
Hitting shots whilst you are not 100% can promote bad habits in your swing to compensate for your body’s state. You may also injure yourself easily if your back, neck or leg muscles are sore.
Listen to your body and practice when you […]
