Golf Instruction

It always amazes me how many golfers are willing to play regularly, and pay for expensive instruction, but then aren?t willing to put the time in for golf swing practice. I know that we?d all like to believe that playing 18 holes on the weekend is enough to cement that recent golf lesson, but unfortunately, that isn?t the case at all.

Golf swing practice allows us to take everything we?ve learned and put it to use in an environment where we can be certain that it?s actually working. Out on the course, you get one swing at a time, and while that last swing may have seemed great, there?s no way to know for sure whether you?ve truly gotten it. Repetition is crucial, so if you?re willing to put the time in, put a little extra in for golf swing practice.

Golfers sometimes get to a certain point in their game and seem to get stuck right there. If you are stuck shooting no better than 90, there is something you can do that can easily drop five strokes off your game.

Chances are very good that when you shoot right around 90 you are capable of making a par or better on every hole. The reason your score tends to rise above 90 is that you have two or three holes that are disasters. How many times do you get an 8 on a par 4 immediately after getting par on the previous hole. Concentrate and play EVERY shot like it was the first. Don’t think about the last bad shot. A positive attitude goes a long way.

When first starting golf, beginners should focus on not creating bad habits. One of the best ways to do this is to take golf lessons from a professional. A golf instructor will show you how you to properly grip the club, develop your swing and which clubs to choose for which shot. As you learn, take it slow and keep track of your positioning and grip. One convenient place to practice your swing is at a local driving range. Take your clubs and work your way through each club and driver. Get out on the course and play as well with someone more experienced than you, even if it is just for a few holes. This exposure to good golf role models will help you to develop your game.

Although I don’t think there is anything better than training one on one with a club professional, there are a few other options that will contribute to a lower score.

One is regular exercise — especially using weights — to build up strength in the arms. Swinging a club over 18 holes is a workout in itself – but having additional arm strength can only improve the length of a good drive. A few minutes with a personal trainer can set you up with an appropriate program.

One other idea that a lot of coaches are using is called “positive imagery” — where you visualize the ball going into the cup. Don’t spend time going over your mistakes — just concentrate on the positive…

Options — good stuff!

After years of internal struggle and minimal improvement in my game, I finally gave in and paid for private golf lessons. The turning point came when I went golfing with a friend with whom I hadn’t golfed with in years. At the end of the 18 holes he half-jokingly told me that I had the same game as I had the last time we golfed. What’s worse is that I realized he was right.

So, I went to my local golf pro, paid for private golf lessons and quickly found that I had been “practicing” and “improving” a fundamentally wrong golf swing. Through his private golf lessons, I’ve shown more improvement in the last month, than I’ve shown over the last year.