Most golfers find that their scores reach a plateau after they have played for a year or two. Muscle memory kicks in and meets their physical abilities, which can be both comforting and frustrating during your round of golf. Everyone wants to consistently become better golfer, but the game just seems to find our limitations. Fortunately, we can still break bad habits and improve our golf games and our scores by setting a few goals.
1.Warm Up Pre-Round
I’m big on warming up and doing so at River’s Edge, the best golf course in Central Oregon is practical and comfortable. But before you practice your short game or hit the driving range, do some stretches. Your muscles will work against you if they are stiff and tight in specific areas. If you don’t stretch and loosen them up, your neck and shoulder area will cause difficulty with your backswing and follow-through.
Another advantage of setting a goal to stretch is that you are more likely to arrive early, unhurried, and you’ll have your mind on the fun of the game instead of how your golf partners are going to feel if you arrive late.
2. Keep Up with the Latest Rules
The rules of golf change regularly, and you should keep up with them because they can improve your game. Did you know that it’s now alright to repair spike marks in your line? How about putting with the flagstick in?
That last rule is designed to speed up play, but I’ve found that having the pin in the hole helps me visualize long putts. Your mileage may vary.
3. Play a Round with a New Plan
If you’re like most golfers, you’ve gotten to a point where you know just where you want to be after each drive at your favorite course. But what if it’s not really the best spot? Is it possible you should lay further back on River’s Edge’s sixth hole before the pond and the waterfall so you can make your next shot with your favorite and more accurate club? Yes, that contradicts most thinking, but how will you ever know if you don’t try that alternative swing?
In the movie, “The Enforcer”, Clint Eastwood famously said, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” And, it takes guts to admit to your limitations, but again, it makes sense to learn precisely what they are. Just because you’ve gotten in the habit of playing a hole a certain way may not mean you’re playing it exactly like Tiger Woods.
4. Take a Lesson with a Local Golf Pro
Admitting we need help is tough but taking a lesson or two never hurts. It’s incredible how quickly a professional golfer can improve your game seeing as they provide instant feedback. The last time I took a lesson, my instructor immediately said, “don’t grip the club so tight; it’s not a baseball bat.”
Well, I didn’t think I was, but by gripping more with my fingers than with the palms of my hands, I saw instant results. Next time, try this simple adjustment on your golf grip and see what happens. The pros know more than we do, and that’s a good thing because they have the most useful tips that will lead to lower scores!