5 Golf Swing Tips to reduce your score

Whilst we cannot all be blessed with Tiger Woods golf swing, high handicap golfers and beginners can make the most of what they have got on the golf course by simply employing a few tactics and taking note of a few common mistakes they are probably making. I was given a very good lesson in the need to be consistent by a lady of, shall we say advancing years, at my local club recently. We had been paired in a friendly competition and she certainly showed me how to bring in a decent score card. It was after the first 5 holes that I realized this lovely old lady was going to severely embarrass me. Below are some lessons I learned that can have an immediate effect on your score card even if you cannot hit a drive 300+ yds.

Five Golf Swing Tips to reduce your score.

Put your driver away.

Yes first thing to do is put away the big boy. We all like to go down the range and smash away with the driver, unfortunately if you do not catch it sweet you can be in a whole lot of rough. As my aged playing partner was gently dinking her golf ball straight down the middle of the fairway I was up to my knees in long grass. After having to perform a miracle shot to get out of the rough on a couple of occasions, it dawned on me that after 2 strokes I was never any closer to being on the green in regulation than she was. So the first tip is play the percentage game, tee off with the club you feel most comfortable with on the long holes.

Don’t grip the club too tightly

This probably the most common mistake beginner golfers are making. When you grip the club too tightly you cannot relax your arms and get the flowing movement needed to strike the ball cleanly. I was unconsciously gripping the club like a vice for a time, it wasn’t until I remembered to relax that I started to strike the ball well again. This is easier said than done when you start to put yourself under pressure. Just remember you are out there to enjoy yourself!

Reduce your back swing

Reducing your backswing can give you more control over the golf ball. Unless you have perfect timing and power together you are going to be more accurate by utilizing a shorter back swing. Accuracy will win more competitions and club level than distance. You can always increase your back swing as you improve. The lady I was playing hit the ball cleanly and straight without the need to wrap the club around the back of her kneck.

Always chip out of the rough

Sound obvious huh? But the times I have tried to smash a ball out of the rough and ended up with another 5 strokes on my card is countless. It only takes one instance like that to ruin your score card. My elderly playing companion only ended up in the rough on a couple of occasions, but she wasn’t about to jeopardize her good score by taking a spectacular but risky shot out of the rough, unlike yours truly…..

Practice your putting

‘Driving for show….’ the saying goes. Yep if you want to win the money get practicing on the putting green. Putting in those two and three foot putts is going to make the big difference to your score. Fortunately this is one area where I practice a lot, I always like to have a practice putting session before I play a game, however many of the people I play with never seem to bother. I am convinced that this has won me a few rounds in my time.

These are my five quick fixes for anyone who is currently struggling with their golf game. Although they may not all apply to everyone, I am sure that most high handicap golfers may find some of these tips useful. As for who won our friendly game…………

If you are looking for more golf swing tips and advice you can find more at golfswingbasicsguru.com