Here is a quick guide to help you get to the next level.
If you hit more than 100,
You are probably new to the game if you can already shoot over 100. Golf is a game that you have to learn and practise a lot to be good at. At your level, you probably can't wait to go outside and play. You always have a big smile on your face because you've found a new hobby that helps you get some exercise and fresh air. Unfortunately, shooting over 100 will get old very quickly, especially if you are a naturally competitive person. So your smile will turn into a frown, and you might decide to stop playing. If you know what to do, it's not hard to get over 100.
How to Get Past 100
If you're new to the game, you don't have any bad habits yet, so get some lessons from a pro before you do. Most of the time, it's easy to teach you the basics of the golf swing because you want to learn and never question what the teacher says. If the relationship between the teacher and the student is good, you will see results very quickly. Most "over 100" shooters can easily cut 10 to 20 shots off their game in a month or two. When you regularly break 100, you'll start to see the game in a different way. Even though the 1970s are still a few years away, you may be able to shoot well by then because you took lessons when you first started.
If you shoot more than 90,
If you are currently shooting over 90, you need to play more. You probably play between 20 and 30 rounds a year, and most of these are in corporate tournaments. Corporate tournaments definitely throw off the game. In a typical scramble, you just hit the ball as hard as you can to try to get that one drive that will help your team. This makes the driver take a HUGE slice, which doesn't help your team at all. I know it's fun to try to hit the ball as hard as you can, but if that was the way to play good golf, everyone would be a pro. The short game will also be very hard for you. Even though the short shots around the green look easy, they quickly turn into a nightmare because they require so much touch.
How to Make It to 90
You should start by going to the course more often. You can still play at corporate events, but you need to change your mindset. Stop trying to be the hero and start helping your team instead. You can do this by taking a light swing and aiming for the fairway or the middle of the green. You will be surprised at how many of your shots the team actually uses if you swing easier and try to be more accurate. You would learn a lot from lessons once a week. Not only would the lessons help you improve your swing, but they would also get you to the range and course more often. Lastly, you need to take at least one short game lesson to see how easy it can be. This will help people understand the short game better, which will make it more fun to play.
If you make more than 80,
You're the kind of person that the big club companies like to work with. You think you can "buy your game," so you jump at every chance to try the newest and best clubs because you don't think the problem is with your swing. So you buy that new driver, and for a while you hit it well. After a few weeks, that great new club stops being so great, and you go back to your old game. You're confused by this because you thought you had it, but now it's gone. You've probably taken between one and three golf lessons, and you try out every golf tip you hear. Because your swing and clubs are always changing, you never really get used to anything. As a result, you are always in a state of limbo, thinking that the elusive 70s are just around the corner.
How to Make it to 80
You have to admit that it's not the clubs if you want to break 80. It's about making a swing that you can do over and over and having a great short game. You have to work with a qualified teacher once a week to get this repeatable swing and great short game. You shouldn't try different tips and quick fixes because you will ruin the changes the teacher is trying to make. This whole process won't be easy because you'll have to re-learn how to swing. If you change your swing, you might hit some bad shots at first because you're not used to it and you're in between swings. If you don't give up, you'll start making shots that will blow your mind. These great shots show that your hard work is paying off and that you will soon be able to play in the 70's.
If you make more than 72,
You swing really well. Still, it will sometimes get lost on them, but you can usually get it back quickly. During a round, you usually make a few mistakes that you can't seem to get rid of. This adds stress and pressure to your game, which hurts the rest of it. You might not be as good at short game as you could be. You know this, but sometimes it's hard to find the time to put it into practise. Lastly, you might be taking the game too seriously by trying to make every shot perfect. This could make you doubt your swing, which is a bad idea when you're out on the course.
How to Get Out of Par
You need to find the time to work hard on your short game. If it's hard to get to the course, you can always chip and pitch balls in your backyard and putt every night on an indoor carpet. This focus on the short game will help you keep shooting good scores even when your swing isn't at its best. It will also make your approach shots less stressful, because if you can get the ball up and down often, it won't matter much if you miss a few greens. When you work on your full swing, try to focus on the clubs that aren't as good and on hitting the ball from bad lies. And forget about distance. At your level, you're probably long enough. Focus on never swinging more than 80 percent of how well you can. If you can resist the urge to hit the ball too hard, your off-target shots won't go too far, so you won't need that miracle shot to get you back in the game. Lastly, have a good time out there. If you loosen up a bit, you'll feel less stressed and be able to do things on autopilot instead of having to work hard all the time.
Until next time,
Wilson, Paul
