Are you struggling to get better at golf?
If so, you’re not alone. Only 3.96% of men and 0.48% of women routinely score below +8 on a par-72 course.
Practice, of course, is the key to improving your game. But which specific aspects of your game should you focus on to maximize your results?
Read on to learn how to get good at golf in five easy steps.
1. Practice in Front of a Mirror
As you’ve probably learned from other areas of your life, the mirror never lies. Regardless of which part of your game you’re hoping to improve, practicing with a mirror is a terrific way to speed up your progress.
Now sure what’s happening with your backswing? Can’t feel whether your hips or shoulders are lined up correctly? Take a dozen practice swings in front of the mirror and you’ll soon have your answer.
Bonus tip: Practice 50 one-armed swings daily (left arm if you’re right-handed, right arm if you’re left-handed) to create effortless consistency and speed in your backswing.
2. Focus on Your Short Game
Even if you regularly smash the ball 320 yards off the tee (like Rory McIlroy), the majority of shots you take will be under 100 yards. This means your pitches, chips, wedge shots, bunker shots, and yes—your putting too.
Your short game is the real secret to lower scores, so give the driving range a break and practice around the green instead. Try placing 10 balls in a circle, three feet from the hole. Move around the circle sinking each putt and start over if you miss one. Keep practicing until can you sink all 10 in a row.
3. Don’t Overlook Marginal Gains
A lot of small details can add up to big improvements. Take a moment to consider any marginal gains you could get from your current equipment.
Do you have a fresh glove that fits your hand like a second skin? When’s the last time you gave your shoes, clubs, and grips and thorough cleaning? Giving your Big Bertha B21 a good wipe before you hit the driving range could actually improve your game!
4. Sign up for Lessons
Rather than buying expensive clubs or joining a prestigious country club, why not invest some money in improving your golf skills?
If you’re new to golf, a teaching pro will start you off with the correct fundamentals and help you avoid bad habits. If you’ve been golfing for a while, an instructor can smooth out any rough spots and help you break bad habits.
5. Make Mental Notes
Rather than dwelling on everything that went wrong in your last round, make a habit of jotting down two or three things you did well.
Did you save par with that bunker shot? Did you hit the middle of the fairway on that tricky dogleg? Celebrate your small victories, analyze them, and relive them. This will keep you in a positive frame of mind as you learn how to get better at golf.
How to Get Good at Golf: Now You Know
Like most sports, there aren’t many shortcuts when it comes to improving your golf game. You’ll get out of it only what you put into it.
Use the tips listed above to get better at golf, and you’ll soon be on your way to a new low score.
Now that you know how to get good at golf, what’s next? Be sure to browse our other sports posts for more great reads.
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