Golfers across the world are stuck shooting in the 90´s wishing for that one round where they break the barrier and hit a score starting with an 8.
Although it may seem like an almost impossible target it isn´t and the difference between shooting 91 and 89 is very, very small.
In this article we will look at the areas you need to improve to start shooting in the 80´s.
Area 1 – Short putts
The main area of lost or wasted shots is on the putting green.
Now many will think that missing short putts (inside of 3 feet) is down to technique and to an extent that is true, but instead of focusing on the technique I want you to think about changing how you approach your first putt.
You should change your thought processes and forget the advice “never up never in”. True a ball that doesn´t reach the hole won´t go in, but a ball that rushes past the hole has no guarantee that it will go in the hole with the next putt either.
And it is here that you are losing those all-important shots.
Learn to become a dead weight putter, this almost guarantees that your second putt will go in, eliminating the three-putt and lowering scores.
Area 2 – Know when to leave the driver in the bag and play for position.
All too often a golfer arrives on a par four or five and immediately reaches for the driver.
This “macho” strategy needs to be changed to a more conservative approach that will yield less results and better scores.
When you approach a hole, take a look at the width of the fairway and where the trouble is. Then take the most suitable club for the hole. If this is a hybrid from the tee, then hit the hybrid and keep yourself out of trouble.
Area 3 – Par 5s
A par five for lower handicap golfers offer a chance of birdie, for high handicappers they offer the possibility of a high number appearing on the card.
Playing par 5s should be straightforward, even on the toughest par 5s.
From the tee you need to select the club that will put you in prime position. The second shot should be played to try and leave you with your favorite iron into the green.
A mistake that I see all too often when I am doing playing lessons is the belief that you have to get as close to the green as possible in two shots.
Higher handicappers struggle with playing a “half” shot, so leaving yourself a distance that calls for your favourite club is the best play.
It means you can be more conservative from the tee, helping to avoid the trouble and the second shot can be played with confidence because you are playing within your own ability.
Area 4 – Mentality
You need to approach your game accepting that you will at some point hit a number of poor shots, instead of getting angry and berating yourself as you walk from shot to shot. Accept the bad stroke and move on.
A couple of poor shots can quickly lead to an avalanche of bad shots and high scoring holes.
Don´t be the golfer that destroys their round with a single shot.
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