I think about golf way too much nowadays. Especially for someone who almost never gets out to actually golf. At least this year I can probably blame my lack of play on a pandemic. For now I will watch videos and go out in the yard hitting different sand wedge shots.
Before I begin my unsolicited advice, let me say that this is aimed at golfers like myself. Bad ones who shoot over 100, but enjoy going out. Also, if you want actual advice, get lessons. Seriously, that would be the best advice I could offer. Spend the money and get lessons from a professional. With that said, here are my points of advice for the bad golfers out there.
- Do Not Cheat!–I realize that seems obvious, but I have golfed with a few people over the years who constantly cheat. Either they do not count a duff out of the rough. Or they hit another one off the tee. They will shoot odd scores like 92, but then when they are out with someone who counts all their shots, then they end up well over 100. Stop cheating and count your strokes, then work on how to improve.
- Lower Expectations!–Think of this for a second…if you shoot a bogey on every hole, you would shoot 90. I think most of us who shoot around 100 would take that any day of the week. So why do we attack each hole like we are trying to make birdies? One thing I have been doing is treating each hole as if bogey is par and a par is a birdie. It seems stupid, but it has helped me keep things in perspective. If I get on the green in three shots, I think “hey, I can two putt this and make a five.” Whereas before on that par four, I might be on in three, but freaking out that I had to make that twenty foot putt for par. I would either short it or hit it way too far. Instead of just thinking about getting it close to putt it in for bogey. Trust me, if you are at my level and start doing that, you will see positive results.
- Know Your Clubs!–I think the biggest problem with people at my level is they always think about the best shot they ever hit with a club. You will be 190 yards out and the person will be like “ugh, I am not sure what to hit here, I can hit a five iron 200 sometimes, but I do not think a six will get me there. I will play it safe with the six, I should get a good roll.” Then they hit the six iron and it goes 160 yards. Yeah, that one time you hit a five iron that far is not the best way to consider it. Go out to the range, take notes. Hit 20 shots with each club, get an average. I would recommend throwing out the best and worst shot.
- Make Putts!–I have golfed with too many people who love to say “that’s a gimme!” or “pick it up!” I have friends and family who truly believe that anything under a club length is “good.” They never putt them. Now look, if someone tells me to pick one up that is a foot or so, yeah I will. And if I were playing with people in some real thing, then I definitely would. BUT, if I am out practicing by myself or with a friend. I am putting those ones. First, it helps you with lining it up. Second, it gives you a chance to work on speed.
- Accept Yourself!–I am not a long hitter. Seriously. I use a three wood off the tee and if I get it 200 yards, that is fantastic for me. Fortunately, I do hit it pretty straight (which is why I ditched the driver). This goes back to #3 for me. I used to worry that I was not hitting it far enough and would try to find ways to hit it further. Once I accepted that I am not going to hit the ball far, and focused on keeping it straight, I noticed I started playing better. Weird, right? I know, it sucks when you get up there with someone who is a big hitter and they crush a 300 yard drive and then you smack it 180, but guess what? Most amateurs only hit their drive around 195-205 yards. You are fine hitting it that far. Think about it. If a hole is 420 yards. I hit it 195 off the tee, then I hit it like 180. Now I just have a short shot to get it on the green. And guess what? I am on in three, two putt and boom! A bogey. Back to #2.
One of my favorite things about golf is that other golfers are usually fairly cool and accepting. I have never played with someone who is really good and have them laugh at me for not hitting as far as them. Remember those Rick Shiels videos I wrote about the other day? If you go to the comments, you will see people praising each other and giving each other advice. Someone says they broke 100 for the first time, you will see folks congratulating them. It is actually pretty nice (I will say that you should avoid the comments on any articles from Golf.com or Golf Digest, those people are awful).
Anyways, hopefully these tips help out. They will not make you much better, but who knows, could they really hurt? Hopefully we can all get out there this year and have some fun.
