How to Get Better at Golf

A few months ago I tweeted this…

I was a bit shocked by the response and interaction it received. I think it’s because everyone wants to get better, few know exactly how. Sure, we need to make better swings, but what’s the easiest way to play better golf?

Golfers of all skill levels are constantly searching for ways to improve their game and lower their scores. However, many fall into the trap of focusing primarily on hitting the ball farther, believing that distance is the key to success. While hitting long drives is certainly impressive and can contribute to lower scores, the real secret lies in mastering and prioritizing shots closer to the hole. In this blog post, we will explore five crucial areas that every golfer should focus on to get better. It’s a step-by-step process that you can implement into your game to reduce scores fast. Think of these as the “low hanging fruit” that will pay off quickest. Let’s dive in and see how prioritizing these aspects can transform your game.

First, Eliminate 3-Putts

The fastest way to shave strokes off your scorecard is by improving your putting, specifically by eliminating 3-putts. Many golfers overlook the importance of putting, but it’s a critical skill that can make or break your round. Imagine standing over a 5-foot putt and knowing with confidence that you’ve got a good shot of making it —this is where you need to be.

Start by focusing on your distance control. Focus on lag putting, which is typically the reason for extra putts. Click the link above and read about some simple things you can do to get your long putts close and judge speed better.

Spending time on the practice green before you play, viewing long putts from the side, and paying attention to the final third of break can dramatically improve speed and distance control with little extra practice.

Next, Learn to Avoid Penalty Strokes

Avoiding penalty strokes is another critical element in improving your golf game. Penalty strokes can quickly add up and ruin an otherwise solid round. Learning how to steer clear of these costly errors will keep your score intact and your confidence high. If you want to shoot lower scores, you don’t want to be adding strokes to your score when you’re not swinging the club.

First, understand your most common ball flight and plan your shots accordingly. If you tend to slice, aim left to account for this and avoid hazards on the right. Similarly, if you hook, aim right. Knowing where your ball is likely to go can help you make smarter decisions on the course.

Playing away from hazards is another key strategy. Aim for the wider parts of the fairway and the center of the green, especially when hazards are in play. This conservative approach might not be flashy, but it’s highly effective in keeping penalty strokes at bay. Learn more about how to avoid penalty strokes here.

Then, Get Up and Down from Anywhere

The ability to get up and down from anywhere is a hallmark of a great golfer. This skill involves chipping or pitching the ball close to the hole and making the subsequent putt, saving par even when you miss the green. No golfer hits every green, so you need to be able to get on the green quickly without having to chip a second time or 3-putting after missing a green.

The biggest mistake golfers make in chipping and pitching is decelerating, or slowing down, in their downswing. Most of the time players don’t even know they’re doing it. It typically happens when they take too big of a backswing and then, in the back of their mind, notice and adjust by slowing down. Instead, focus on the length of your backswing and letting gravity swing the club. If gravity leads the swing, you can’t slow the club down through impact.

An easy way to judge distance on pitch shots is to imagine you were tossing the ball underhand onto the green. That same length of arm swing translates pretty well to the length of a backswing. You might also consider walking up to the hole to get a better feel for the full distance of the shot. Read more about pitching the ball better and my favorite lesson I give by clicking here.

Fourth, Hit More Greens from 150 Yards Out

Hitting more greens in regulation is a key component of lowering your scores, and focusing on shots from 150 yards out can make a significant difference. This distance is critical because it often represents a scoring opportunity if you can consistently find the green.

Start by knowing your yardages with each club. These should be as exact as possible. If you have access to a launch monitor, that can help you dial in your distances. If you don’t know exactly how far you hit every club in your bag, that needs to be done as soon as possible.

Additionally, focus on your alignment and pre-shot routine. Ensuring that you are aiming correctly and following a consistent routine can improve your accuracy and consistency from 150 yards out. The more greens you hit, the more birdie and par opportunities you’ll have.

Finally, Hit More Fairways with Your Driver

While distance is important, like I said above, accuracy off the tee is crucial for setting up the rest of your game. Hitting more fairways with your driver can significantly reduce the difficulty of your approach shots and help you avoid big numbers.

Work on your driving accuracy by swinging your driver at 80% intensity. Don’t chance extra distance until you’re happy with how accurate you hit your tee balls first. A smooth, controlled swing often yields better results than trying to hit the ball as hard as possible.

Use alignment sticks and secondary targets to improve your aim and know your most common ball flight to play for it. Aim left if your ball often goes left. Knowing where to aim and having a clear target in mind can help you hit more fairways. Learn more about aiming here.

Finally, develop a reliable go-to shot for tight fairways or pressure situations. Whether it’s a controlled fade, draw, or straight shot, having a shot you can depend on when accuracy is paramount will keep you in play and set up easier approach shots.

Get Better Fast

Improving your golf game involves prioritizing the right aspects of your play. By focusing on eliminating 3-putts, avoiding penalty strokes, getting up and down from anywhere, hitting more greens from 150 yards out, and hitting more fairways with your driver, you can make significant strides in lowering your scores. Use this as a step-by-step process. Don’t focus on all of them at once. Instead, start at the top and work down when you feel that it has improved enough. Then, start over when you get through the list. This will help you break 100, 90, 80, and maybe even 70.

Remember, the key is to work on shots closer to the hole first before moving on to longer shots. Most golfers approach improvement in the opposite way, but by following this structured approach, you’ll see quicker and more sustainable progress.

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