To improve your golf game and shoot lower scores, it is essential to focus on the skills that have the most significant impact on the course. While swing mechanics are important, honing in on fundamentals can lead to quicker improvements in your scoring average. In a roundtable discussion with GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers, six instructors shared valuable insights on the key skills golfers should work on to lower their scores. These skills include nailing the basics, having a reliable tee shot, improving play inside 120 yards, scoring around the greens, short game proficiency, and effective course management.
Setting up and alignment are crucial aspects of your game that can greatly impact your performance on the course. By using training aids to ensure a proper setup and alignment, you can develop a solid foundation for your swing and avoid common mistakes caused by poor alignment. Additionally, focusing on swinging at 80% effort and emphasizing tempo can lead to more consistent results on the course. Mastering these basics can help you improve your overall game and lower your scores in no time.
Keeping the ball in play off the tee is vital for lowering your scoring average, as it can help reduce the number of big numbers on your scorecard. Improving your game inside 120 yards, including short game and putting, is also crucial for scoring success. By paying attention to these shorter approach shots and striving to hit the green consistently from this distance, you can create more scoring opportunities for yourself on the course. Developing confidence in your short game can lead to better outcomes and more pars or birdies.
Practicing pitch and chip shots around the green can significantly impact your ability to convert up-and-downs on the course. By landing your short game shots closer to the hole, you increase your chances of saving par and minimizing mistakes. Using a gradual approach to shrinking your landing zone can help improve your precision and make your short game more effective. Short game proficiency, along with effective course management, is essential for shooting lower scores and improving your overall game.
Improving your putting is one of the fastest and easiest ways to lower your handicap and improve your scoring average. Eliminating three-putts or minimizing them can lead to significant reductions in your overall score. Focusing on distance control and speed when putting can help you leave yourself with more makeable putts and reduce the likelihood of three-putting. Additionally, becoming automatic over short putts can build confidence and trust in your stroke, leading to improved performance on the greens. Setting realistic goals for yourself based on your handicap can guide your practice and help you become more consistent with short putts.
