Golf is sometimes viewed as a less challenging sport that isn’t on par with other sports in terms of physical demand and complexity. But the truth is, golf is a pretty hard game to master with a learning curve that can be unforgiving to the inexperienced. Beginners are often overwhelmed by the number of techniques and exercises they should learn about, in addition to finding the proper equipment for their skill level and golfing style. But just like with any sport, practice makes perfect.
To help you improve your golf game in a short time, we’re listing a few tips and tricks that you’ll find handy.
Use the Right Driver
As a novice golfer, you’re probably getting the most fun out of using the driver because of how dynamic the shot can be. It seems that fun is synonymous with difficulty when it comes to drivers. You need to learn more about the features that make a specific type or brand of drivers perfect for your style. Drivers can often be mishandled and roughed up because of reckless shots, so make sure you use the right technique to avoid replacing a driver every couple of games.
Find Your Weakness
While it’s never bad to distribute your attention across general exercises that involve a lot of techniques and moves, you may need to start refocusing on your shortcomings. To truly get better at a certain move or strategy, you should focus most of your practice on it. A lot of tutors draw a personalized program for their trainees by identifying their major weaknesses before anything else. To be able to personally identify your weaknesses, keep track of statistics like fairway hits, greens, short games, and others. You’ll start noticing that your numbers are stagnant in one or two specific metrics, and this is where you should start practicing.
Utilize Risk Assessment
When it comes to choosing the right move in golf, a lot of probabilities are taken into consideration. New players should avoid taking unnecessary risks because the room for error becomes too small. The best way to avert risk is to opt for short games; they keep the ball very close to the ground with less airborne time. Taking big swings like pitches will only amplify any mistake you make. If it’s possible to putt or chip the ball, try focusing on landing small and safe strokes.
Don’t Play the Hero
Every golfer knows how tempting it is to take a ‘hero’ shot, where the distance between the ball and the hole is too large. These kinds of shots are known to be quite entertaining to perform or watch, but they are one of the hardest shots in the game. You need to know when it’s time to reduce your aggression and choose a safer path. Even if such a shot can secure your position on the scoreboard, it has a higher chance of destroying it. If you’re stranded, look for safe shots that provide you with an opportunity to get closer to the hole.
Get Familiar with a Club
You’re probably used to changing clubs according to the type of shot you’re willing to take. But you probably lean more towards using a certain club because you perform better with it. You want to tap into your love for a club and use it to its full potential. Try practicing all kinds of shots with your favorite club, even ones that seem out of its league. This doesn’t mean that you’ll only use this club, but it’s more of a security that can keep your mind at ease when things start going south. The confidence boost you’ll get from using your favorite club will help you tackle sticky situations your other clubs aren’t solving.
Focus on Direction
A lot of new players are too invested in getting the ball as far as possible. The problem is that they’ll end up getting a worse score because it will probably be in the wrong direction. Instead of focusing on distance, try to make your shot straighter. Use the right mechanics to get the clubface in the swing path to ensure that your shot is centered, avoiding the tampering of wind and curvature. You’ll notice that not only your sense of direction has improved but also the distance you get from the shot.
It’s okay not to get everything right on your first try. You need to take your time as you learn how to master a certain shot or position. Try to keep track of your development, alongside your points of strength and weakness. There are no magical shortcuts to becoming good at golf, but you can significantly accelerate the process if you focus on the right things, and the above mentioned tips should hopefully point you in the right direction.