Short Game “Secrets” To Better Golf

Golf is a game with countless ups and downs. Many experienced golfers over 50 find that no matter how many lessons they’ve taken, rounds they’ve played or how much top-of-the-line equipment they own, nothing can be enough on an off day. Golf, therefore, is not a game to be mastered but a game to adventure through.

If even the most seasoned veterans have a bad day from time to time it’s easy to understand the frustration from a new player’s perspective. Some new players have yet to hit a straight drive, let alone make par. So are there any secrets to lower scores in golf?

Forget about all of the tips and techniques you get from the golf magazines, television programs and Internet articles. Nothing is going to improve your game faster than practice, practice, practice. And the only surefire way to take your golf game to the next level is to improve your short game consistency. Here are some tips to shape your short game up and lower your scores:

1) Practice, Practice, Practice! Golf courses build those practice greens for a reason. New players especially should be spending more time on the practice greens than playing the actual course. “Practice” doesn’t just mean a trip to the driving range either. Put your driver down! Hitting balls blindly at full swing is not the most effective way to lower scores. Your long game is only a small handful of shots throughout a round but your short game will be the difference on your scorecard.

2) The golf short game is composed of several equally important skill sets. Take time to practice your pitch shots, chip shots, bunker shots, flop shots and the most important of all – putting. You will face many of these shots on every hole (certainly putting!). So, it pays to be equally comfortable with all of them.

3) Remember, a round of golf can be a real roller coaster – especially into the short game. It’s important to maintain a positive attitude and approach each challenge and its outcome with a proper mindset. If you mis-hit a particular shot, shrug it off and continue with your next shot. One guarantee in golf: things will not go your way. You can get all upset as you want but the only things that will change is your ability to concentrate, which only leads to further frustration.

With some practice you will soon be comfortable taking on any shot you encounter through the short game. It’s really no secret at all – a positive approach to the game along with experience and the skills you acquired through practice are all that you need to start lowering your scores!