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Taking Your Golf Game to the Next Level
Paul Wilson
Here is a quick guide to help you take it to the next level.
If You Shoot Over 100
If you currently shoot over 100 you are probably new to the
game. Golf is game that takes plenty of practice and understanding.
At your level, you're probably very excited to just get out
to play. You always have a big grin on your face because you've
found a new hobby that gives you a little exercise and gets
you breathing some fresh air. Unfortunately, shooting over
100 will get old very quickly especially if you're a competitive
person by nature. So your smile will start to turn into a
frown and you may end up giving the game up. It is quite easy
to break 100 if you know what to do.
What to Do To Break 100
If you're new to the game you have not ingrained any bad habits
yet, so before you do, take some lessons from a qualified
pro. It's usually quite easy to teach you the proper fundamentals
of the golf swing because you're eager to learn and never
second guesses the teacher. If the relationship between the
student and teacher is good, the speed at which you will see
results is very quick. Usually within a month or two the "over
100" shooter can easily take 10 - 20 shots off of their game.
Once you break 100 on a regular basis you'll start to see
the game differently. Although shooting in the 70's is a few
years into the future it may be attainable because taking
lessons initially has given you a great start on the game.
If You Shoot Over 90
If you currently shoot over 90 you're someone who has to play
more often. You're probably playing about 20 - 30 rounds a
year and most of these rounds are in corporate tournaments.
Corporate tournaments are a definite game wrecker. The usual
scramble format leads you to just bashing the ball as hard
as you can trying to get that one drive that helps your team.
Unfortunately this leads to a HUGE slice with the driver which
doesn't help your team at all. I know it's fun to try and
hit the ball as hard as you can but if wailing away at it
was the way to play good golf, everyone would be a pro. You
will also find the short game very difficult. Although the
short shots around the green look easy they quickly become
a nightmare to you because of the amount of touch that's required.
What to Do To Break 90
For starters, you have to get out to the course more often.
You can still play in corporate events but you have to do
so with a new attitude. You have to quit trying to be the
hero and start actually helping your team. This can be done
by swinging easy and trying to get the ball in the fairway
or the middle of the green. If you swing easier and try to
become more accurate you will be amazed at how many of your
shots the team actually uses. You would greatly benefit from
weekly lessons. The lessons would not only give you a better
swing but they would get you out to the range and course on
a regular basis. Finally, you have to take at least one short
game lesson to see how easy it can be. This will create a
better understanding of the short game which will then make
practicing it more enjoyable.
If You Shoot Over 80
You're the kind of person the major club manufacturers love.
You think that you can "buy your game" so every opportunity
you get to try the latest and greatest clubs you take it because
you don't think that your swing is the problem. So you buy
that new driver and for a while you hit it great. A few weeks
later that great new club isn't so great anymore and it's
back to your old game. This leaves you scratching your head
because you thought you had it and now it's gone. At some
point in your golf career you probably have taken 1 - 3 lessons
and you always try every golf tip you hear about. Because
of these constant changes in both your swing and your clubs
you never really have the opportunity to get used to anything
so you are left in a state of limbo always thinking that the
elusive 70's are just around the corner.
What to Do To Break 80
In order to break 80, you have to admit that it's not the
clubs. It's about developing a repeatable swing and a great
short game. To create this repeatable swing and great short
game, you have to work with a qualified teacher on a weekly
basis. You're going to forget trying different tips and quick
fixes because you will destroy the changes the teacher is
trying to make. This whole process is not going to be easy
because you basically have to re-learn the swing (making changes
to your swing may cause you to hit some very poor shots at
first because you're not used to it and you're in between
swings). If you stay determined, you'll start to hit some
shots that will totally amaze you. These amazing shots are
telling you that your hard work is paying off and pretty soon
you will be playing in the 70's.
If You Shoot Over 72
You have a great swing. It'll still go astray on them from
time to time but you can usually get it back rather quickly.
You usually make a few mistakes in a round that you just can't
seem to let go of. This creates stress and pressure that effects
the rest of your game. Your short game may not be as good
it could be. You know this but actually finding time to practice
it is sometimes a challenge. Finally, you may be taking the
game a little too seriously causing you to try to hit every
shot perfectly. This may lead to second guessing your swing
which is definitely trouble when you are on the course.
What to Do To Break Par
You have to find the time to do some serious work on the short
game. If it's difficult to make it out to the course you can
always chip and pitch balls in your backyard and putt on an
indoor carpet every night. This dedication to the short game
is what will allow you to still shoot good numbers when your
swing is not at it's best. It will also reduce pressure on
your approach shots because if you can get the ball up and
down regularly it's not that big of a deal if you miss the
odd green. When you do work on your full swing try to work
on the weaker clubs in your bag and hitting the ball from
poor lies. Also, forget distance. At your level you are probably
long enough. Concentrate on never swinging over 80% of your
ability. If you can resist the temptation to hit the ball
too hard your miss hits will not stray to far off line eliminating
the need for that miraculous shot to get you back it the game.
Finally, have fun out there. If you lighten up a little you
will reduce your stress levels allowing you to switch into
automatic mode instead of having to grind it out all of the
time.
Until next time,
Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson teaches how to copy the perfect golf swing
of the Iron Byron swing machine. For more information please
visit: www.paulwilsongolf.com
Article Source:
http://www.articledashboard.com
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