Small Things That Make a Difference

By June 20, 2018Tips & Tutorials
small things on the golf course

There are many elements which come together to make a successful round of golf.  Many of these focus on the swing and technical aspects of the game.  However, there are many small things you can do which will give you an advantage and increase your chances of making a lower score.

Today we are going to look at some of the small things that can make a difference on the golf course.

The mental aspect of playing golf is very important and you get yourself attuned to the pressures of the golf course by placing yourself under pressure during practice.  Prior to a round, head to the practice area and create a few holes using the putting green and short practice area.  Play four holes and set yourself a two shot target on each, imagining they are the 18th hole.  This will get you in the best frame of mind for your round.

On par 3 holes, try aiming for the middle of the green and not the flag.  If you land in the centre of the green, you will have a putt for birdie.  If you aim for a flag which is close to the edge of the green and miss, your second shot will be to try and get your ball on the green, which can easily result in dropped shots.

Know how far you can hit the ball with each club.  Knowing your distances with each club increases confidence on every shot you play and it doesn’t take much time to work it out at the driving range.

How do you know how often you are hitting the centre of the club?  If you are struggling to keep the ball straight, you may be missing the centre of the club.  Try using some impact tape when practicing and this will give you a good idea of how close to the centre of the club you are striking the ball.

Always be aware of any mud on the golf ball.  Having mud on one side of the ball can cause it to spin and curve in the opposite direction.  If the mud is on the left side of the ball, it could swing to the right and it pays to compensate for this when playing your shot.  Mud on the ball can also reduce backspin so keep this in mind when planning the length of your shot.

Finally, always remain realistic on the golf course.  If you start your round believing you are going to finish with a score under 80 but you have never recorded a round under 90, you are going to be disappointed.

Set yourself realistic goals.  If your best score is 92, aim to get 90 and work down from there.  If you think you must get the ball to within 5 yards of the pin every time you play an approach shot, you are setting impossible targets and placing incredible pressure on yourself.

Be realistic and you will improve.