Do you want to find out how to improve at golf?
I guess you’ve taken some lessons from a Golf Pro.
Probably also spent some time on the Driving Range getting the hang of swinging the club.
And maybe, you’ve been out on the golf course a couple of times.
Perhaps you are now asking yourself and others how you can get better. Well, I’m going to give you a few tips on how to improve at golf – so read on.
Physical Aspects Of Golf.
The lessons you took with a professional helped you to understand the physical aspects of golf.
For instance, by now you should have mastered the right way to grip your golf clubs.
Try to always make sure that your hands are in the same position every time you hold a club.
Your grip on your clubs will either enhance your game or make it worse. Consistency is the most important aspect of golf.
Likewise, when you are taking aim, everything should be in alignment. Your club and your body should operate as one.
So that your shoulders, hips, knees and feet should be aimed at the target. Thus, when your club connects with the ball, it will fly straight off the club in the right direction.
Swinging the golf club is the most important action you will take on the golf course. You will find more information about swinging the golf club right here.
Your lessons with the Golf Pro will have helped you to understand the correct swing that works for you.
You should practice this motion over and over again to develop “muscle memory”.
It is that action that will develop your abilities in this area and teach you how to improve at golf. Repetition is the name of the game.
Practice hitting golf balls at the driving range. Golf is one of those games that you cannot accomplish in “one easy lesson”.
From my own experience, I know that the more you practice, the better you get.
Many people will say that they tried golf a couple of times and then gave up!
As we said before, golf requires great consistency and commitment. Only in this way will you get to the stage where your good shots outnumber the bad! Never give up!
Certainly, you should practice your putting. It is often on the putting green that golf games are lost or won!
There are a range of different types of putters.
Take care in choosing the right type for you – it will make all the difference to your game.
Learn about how to adjust your speed on the green and importantly, follow through on every putt.
The Mental Game Of How To Improve At Golf.
Golf is as much mental as it is physical.
Therefore, you will need to learn to manage your expectations.
Do not expect to be a brilliant golfer right away! Remember – the more you practice, the better you get! Also, do not be too hard on yourself.
I remember when I was first on the golf course, I expected to hit the ball as well as I did on the driving range.
It took a while for me to realize that my expectations were wrong.
Once I accomplished that and stopped being so hard on myself, my game improved and I started to have fun playing golf.
Mindset is another really important aspect of managing your expectations.
If you get yourself into the right mindset before you start, the game will become easier.
The right mindset will allow you to have a flexible attitude towards your game. To understand that you will not always make the “perfect shot” and be kind to yourself when you don’t.
So, try to develop your own process for getting into the right mindset and implement this before every game.
There are no effective excuses for why you shot a bad score. You cannot blame your clubs, your balls, the course or noises made as you shot.
Just accept the fact that you are going to have bad days and good days on the course. With the right mindset you will be able to accomplish this.
Some Practical Tips.
Understand and become proficient at your short game. (Meaning your approach shot to the green and around the green itself).
As I said before, games can be won or lost on the putting green.
However, it is not only necessary for you to be masterful with your putter. You must also develop skills at pitching and chipping the golf ball onto the green. Practice, practice, practice!
I often use my Sand Wedge instead of a Pitching Wedge if I am close to the green.
My Sand Wedge has a higher loft than my Pitching Wedge, so I am able to loft the ball onto the green from 10 or 20 yards away. When I use my Pitching Wedge at that distance, I tend to overshoot the green.
If you feel that you are not progressing as well as you would like, book some lessons or attend a clinic.
Group clinics can be useful at fine-tuning a particular aspect of your game.
Some lessons with a Golf Pro will help you to identify what is wrong with your strokes and give you advice on how to overcome the problems.
Little things mean a lot!
Sometimes it is the small things that make all the difference.
Always clean your clubs and balls after a game so that they will be ready for your next trip.
Make sure that your Golf Glove fits closely and well to your hand.
Also, clean your shoes. If you have cleats, clean them of mud and grass and any debris.
Surprisingly, all these little things can help to improve your game, though you may not think it.
Understanding the Rules of Golf is fairly important in improving your game. We have detailed some of the basic Rules that beginners should know right here.
If you want to be really smart, you can actually download an App to your smartphone. Go to your mobile app store and look for the USGA Rules of Golf App.
You will definitely be ahead of the game with this.
Here’s Our Recommendations For How To Improve At Golf.
So, to reinforce our discussion in this post, here is the overview of our tips for how to improve at golf.
- Take lessons with a Pro and master your grip.
- Set up your aim carefully.
- Get used to swinging the golf clubs the right way.
- Practice on the driving range.
- Develop your proficiency at putting (games are won or lost at this stage).
- Manage your expectations.
- Develop the right mindset for golf.
- Make no excuses – if your score is bad, the buck stops with you!
- Practice to grow proficient at your short game.
- Experiment with different clubs to get good results.
- Attend a Clinic or get some one-on-one lessons to iron out problems.
- Make sure all your equipment is clean before you go to the Course.
- Understand the Rules of Golf.
- Above all, never give up!
And, Finally. . .
Most importantly, don’t take golf or yourself too seriously!
Yes, there is quite a lot to learn to become proficient, but if you manage your expectations, you will not be discouraged.
You certainly should be having fun playing as we do.
Rick and I just love to be out on the golf course together.
The scenery around the golf course is usually attractive and if the sun is shining and the sky is blue, what more could you ask.
It is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon with the person you love.
Enjoying golf together is one of our favorite pastimes!
Love that this is directed towards girls! Girls are usually overlooked in the golf field as well as most other sports. Do you think it is crucial to take lessons from a PRO? Lessons I know are not overpriced but they add up and these days one needs to prioritize. Are there maybe programs or videos that you would recommend? Thank you for all the insight and great content.
Hi Esperanza, Thank you for your comment on my post, “How To Improve At Golf”. I do think that it is important if you have never played golf before to pay for some lessons from a Golf Pro. You should consider taking between 2 and 5 lessons to get started. Then, if you type “golf lessons for beginners” into Google, it will turn up a slew of online videos for you to choose from. Also check out my other post on Golfing for Beginners right here. Good luck with your golf journey. Jenni