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 Golf is a wonderful game but we all want to improve a little bit more and for some a lot more. There can be many contributing factors as to why you find that you are not playing consistently every week or the fact that your handicap seems to be going up a notch instead of the reverse. We all need advice and starting with the basics that help even the lowest handicapper in the club.
On the tee box:
There is nothing like getting up on a tee box and letting fly with the
perfect drive down the center of the fairway, well that's the way it
should be. There are a number of basic errors golfers can make. Timing
when hitting the ball is everything, too many golfers feel the need to
smash the ball out of sight when in fact golf is all about placing
yourself in position for the next shot. When teeing off with the
oversized drivers remember to tee the ball a little higher than normal
for a maximum strike.
Different golfers hit the ball different distances, how many times have
your seen the guy only 5ft odd hitting the ball 30 yards further than
someone of 6ft odd. In golf size does not matter, it's all about the
timing of your shot. Golfers who try to kill the ball down the fairway
will nine times out of ten make a mess out of the shot either by
knocking the ball down or forcing is far left or right. Take your time
and play golf like chess or pool, think about placement and the shots
ahead, one big drive will not mean a par or birdie.
From the fairway to the green:
If you manage to hit a nice drive from the tee box confidence is at a
high, now find the green, easier said than done. Always play to your
handicap, if you feel that you cannot make the green on the second shot
or quite possible find the bunker why not play a little short to leave
a nice wedge to the green for your third? Under clubbing can also be a
major problem especially with older golfers like myself, you need to be
honest if you are at the age of 50 - 70, we are not young lads anymore
so don't be embarrassed to drop down a club or two, it will only help
keep the confidence high.
If looking from the fairway to the green you see that the pin position
is at the front of the green but just over a bunker, why not aim for
the centre of the green, sometimes the gamble will work out for you but
the center of the green could get you a safe par or with a nice putt an
excellent birdie. When chipping to the green with a little pitching
wedge or sand wedge always try and leave yourself with an uphill putt,
downhill is always tricky especially in the summer when the greens are
lightening fast.
Putting:
Putting has a similar concept to that of driving from the tee box,
timing is important. Never rush a putt no matter how short the distance
is from the hole. Avoid at all times the one handed tap ins that could
end up costing you dearly, how many times have you yourself tried to
finish a putt one handed only to fluff the putt? Unfortunately we are
not professionals with a caddy to help us with our shots, you need to
take a step back and try to read the lie of the green.
In match play most games are won and lost on the putting surface.
Always follow through with your putt, never quit after the back swing,
quitting will make you either leave the putt a mile short of add
unwanted side spin to the ball.
From the Bunkers:
Sand should only be found on a beach! That's what we would all like to
think when we end up in a bunker. The sand shot is something that takes
lots of practice. You need to hit hard beneath the ball and to do so a
large back swing is important. Remember the ball tends not to travel too
far once it hits the green so allow for your shot to be flown as close
to the flag as possible.
If you end up at the very front of the bunker and are looking at an
next to impossible forward shot play out sideways or backwards, better
dropping only one shot than losing the head and hacking two or three in
the sand.
In Brief:
Golf is a game of patience, rushing shots never works, a good
temperament on the course is like having that extra club in the bag.
Always have good protective clothing and waterproof golf shoes, choose
your golf balls carefully to gain the extra distance or spin control.
The golf glove will give you that extra bit of grip required in wet
conditions or peak summer when your hands get sweaty. It's a wonderful
game that can be improved with even the basic advice.
About the Author
Declan Tobin is a successful freelance writer providing advice for
consumers on purchasing a variety of Golf Equipment which includes Golf
Apparel, Golf Bags, and more! His numerous articles provide a
wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information
for all of your Golf interests and needs.
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