If you tend to go to sleep on the shots
in the middle of the fairway,
pretend every shot is a trouble shot. Where ever the ball is, pretend
it is in trouble and you have to work the ball in some way. For
example, pretend you have to go under or over something. Mix
it
up, on each shot. Hit shots around a make believe obstacle.
Work
on fades, draws, highs and lows. This should keep you alert, interested
and improve your overall game. Just picture the shot, then execute.
If you push the club back with the left
arm,
you will avoid the common mistake of grabbing it away with the hands.
This will give you a much better chance of staying on plane with a
straight shot the result.
On your tee shots with the driver, if the
tee
remains in the ground after you have hit the ball, you caught the ball
properly on the upswing. Moe Norman use to hit 100's of balls without
ever having to reset the tee. He was probably one of the straightest
drivers of the golf ball ever.
If you are having trouble releasing the
club,
your grips just might be too big for your hands. Trying going to a
smaller grip. If you are already to handsy and releasing the club to
much, hooking the ball, try a thicker grip. Your problem just might be
that simple.
The high handicapper makes the mistake of
hitting every shot at 110%. Learn to swing at 80% and
your shots will fly straighter and just as far. The Pros rarely swing
over 90%. Go back and watch some video of Freddie Couples swing. He
looked like he was at 50% most of the time. Try it and I think you will
be amazed.
The best way to lower your scores and
your
handicap is to work on the short game. Spend at least half of your time
developing different shots around the green. Don't be afraid to putt
from off the green with a wood, hybrid or even blade a wedge. Try to have
at least 3 different shots you can hit in any situation,
and then pick the one that you think you have the best odds of
succeeding with that day.
THE MOST
IMPORTANT SHOT OF THE DAY IS "THE NEXT ONE!"
Always stay in the present. Many a round went south because of the bad
shot on the last hole or thinking about the outcome before the shot was
hit.
When it is time to go play, GO PLAY.
Leave practice for the driving range. You will enjoy your golf game
more, and the score will show it.
Divide your match up into 6- 3 hole
matches.
Have a goal for each 3 holes. For instance if you are a 15 handicap,
try to be no more than 2 or 3 over par on each 3 holes. You should have
at least a couple of successes with this approach. It will keep you
from getting too down if you start off bad, and it will keep you from
getting too excited if you get a hot start. Your emotions will be more
under control, you will be able to ride out a bad stretch with a more
positive attitude, and you will always walk away with some level of
success.
Around the green, try to hole
every shot. This will keep your focus. Think you can hole
everything. You will be surprised how many finish close or go
in.
Practice putting with a penny laid on the
ground just behind the ball. Make your stroke looking at the penny the
whole time. This will keep you from watching the putter go back on the
backstroke and keep you from peeking at the hole after you have stroked
the ball. You will make more putts.
The key to fairway bunker shots is a
stable
lower body. To accomplish this, dig your right foot in at a angle with
the inside of the foot much lower than the outside. Then just turn
against it and hit the ball.
I know this sounds to simple - BUT - the
focus should always be on hitting fairways and greens.
To hit the worst club in your bag better,
do
the following; Hit three shots with the best club in your bag, followed
by one shot with the worst club. Keep doing this until you have the
good feeling with both clubs.
To maximize your carry off of the tee,
setup
with your head behind the ball and keep it there well after
impact. Your tee shots will be longer and straighter.
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