Back to Tips to Improve Your Golf Game
Whether you’re new to golf or you’ve been playing for years, there’s always room to improve. Maybe you’ve hit a plateau or haven’t been able to play much lately, or maybe there’s a certain weakness you can’t seem to overcome. Whatever stage you’re at, here are some tips to lower your score and have more fun out on the course.
1. Make use of the practice range. Frequently.
Although playing golf frequently can help you improve, but it will only get you so far. Taking the time to work on your swing at the practice range will help you hone your technique and ingrain your swing in your body. Be sure you’re practicing good technique with your swing because repeating a swing with poor technique over and over can lead to ingraining bad habits. If you’re not sure if you’re doing it right, set up a lesson with a golf instructor to work on your technique and give you pointers.
2. Align and control the clubface properly.
Your ability to control the clubface is one of the most defining factors influencing your level of play. You should align your shot by assessing your target from behind the ball and then aligning the clubface behind the ball directly at the target before taking your stance. When taking your swing, be sure not to open the clubface too much on the backswing, instead of twisting your bottom hand away from you in the backswing and keeping it facing away from the whole swing.
3. Use your torso.
Many beginning or even experienced golf players try to generate all of the power for their shot from their arms and wrists, muscling their way through the swing. Not only cans this cause injury, it will also weaken your game. When making a backswing, turn your core and your torso away from the target, and then swivel it back toward the target on your downswing. Be sure to keep the same angle to your spine throughout the rotation. This will give you better power, speed, and control as you master the movement.
4. Practice putting.
It can be difficult to develop the discipline to hit the range for some short game practice, but that putting practice can pay off in lowering your score. Pick a putting drill and practice it for about 15 to 20 minutes before or after every round. It can also be beneficial to develop a putting routine that you use every time you take a put. For some, that means taking a practice stroke, placing the putter, looking at the hole again and then stroking the ball. You don’t have to follow that routine, but be sure to develop your own system and perform each of those steps every time you put for maximum consistency.
5. Identify your weaknesses.
One of the most important steps to improving your golf game is identifying your weaknesses. If putting is your weakness, maybe you head to the driving range to practice more frequently. One of the best ways to determine what you need to improve is to keep track of your statistics beyond your simple overall score. Take note of fairways hit, total putts, greens in regulation and short game up and downs. Use these stats to figure out where your game is at its weakest, then focus your attention on improving that.
6. Choose the right equipment.
Sometimes golfers erroneously blame their equipment when they have a poor day on the course, but having the right equipment can actually make a big difference in your game. If your clubs are worn down, the grips are disintegrating, or you got them as hand-me-downs from a friend, it may be time to invest in new equipment. Having equipment that is in good shape and that suits your build and swing can make a significant difference in your game. Take the time to get fit for clubs so you know you’re playing with the right equipment for you. Then, when you’re on the course, be sure to choose the right club, taking into account length, wind, hazards and other factors.
7. Work on your overall fitness.
Playing golf well is about more than just getting out to the course regularly. You also need to take your overall fitness seriously, including stretching fully before you tee off and working on your overall strength and fitness. Since much of the power and speed in your stroke comes from the torso, working to strengthen your core will do wonders for your game. Building in regular stretching and flexibility workouts will help improve your range of motion on the course and help prevent injuries.
When you become a member a Blackstone Country Club at Vistancia, you’ll also have access to golf instruction from our experienced golf pro staff, with lessons offered by the hour, by the hole or in group lessons. If you live in the Peoria, AZ, area and are interested in joining Blackstone Country Club at Vistancia and upping your golf game, call us today at (623) 707-8700 or explore our membership options on our website.