Even the most seasoned golfer may find that every now and then, a little improvement is needed. Whether you have are a longtime figure at your local driving range or have been lurking in the shadows at the 18th hole, the advice in these golfing tips and tricks is sure to help you improve your game.
Add power to your swing by using your body, not your arms. Lean in to power your shot. Turn with the ball on the downswing. This lets you use the power of all of the muscles in your body to get a better shot, instead of being limited to just your arm muscles.
When your ball is in a fairway bunker, a good rule of thumb is to figure out what club you would normally hit at the distance you are away from the hole and then take two clubs more. The sand deadens your shot, and by taking more club than you would normally hit, you will end up on the green.
Remember that your hips and arms need to work together in a good golf swing. They should move simultaneously. While your arms bring the club down, your hips should already be swiveling out of the way. Learning to properly coordinate your upper and lower body will provide much-improved swing performance.
Remember, accuracy is so much more important than power, this is why some 80 year-olds can out drive 20 year-olds. Practice with hitting the ball consistently in almost the same spot on the club. This is easy to say or instruct but difficult to do. Simply apply some chap-stick or vaseline to the head of your club and swing. The ball will leave an imprint on the club showing you where the ball was struck. However, don’t use this during a game with friends as this could be considered cheating in a game because it also corrects slices.
In order to improve your overall score, focus on building in a cushion of extra shots during the easier holes. This will reduce your stress level. Use those later, more difficult holes as a chance to improve, instead of needing to meet a certain goal the first time you play them.
Make sure that you are holding your golf club correctly. Put the handle of the club between the palms of your hands and grasp it with your thumbs facing downward. Your hands will be touching. Command the club by choking down on it, when you only want to stroke the ball a short way. Choke-up when you want it to go the distance.
In order to improve your golf swing, you may want to consider practicing your swing in front of the mirror. You will be able to see what you are doing wrong and try to work on improving. You may also want to practice in front of a friend who can give you tips.
As your golf skill improves, you may find that you continually make your stance wider. While this will improve stability and power, it also tends to increase lateral movement. A good drill to counteract this is to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and imagine lines outside your heels. Try to swing without touching these lines to improve your technique.
Allow your mind to lead you in your play. If you are in need of a birdie on the next hole then plan to get an eagle. By setting your mind to this challenge you can improve your swing as your mind is attempting to see the increased goal and expectation. Allow these synaptic responses to work to your advantage.
With a little fresh insight and a willingness to practice your skills, you will undoubtedly notice significant improvements in your putting, driving, and even your sportsmanship. Remember the advice in this article, the next time you are practicing your swing at the local driving range or fighting your way out of the sand trap.