5 keys that will make golf easier

Want to make golf easier? All you have to do to simplify your game and improve your skills is master five key concepts. It might sound too good to be true, but with the right basics, you can build a solid foundation and improve your game.

Let’s get started.

1. Grip the club in your fingers

When my students struggle to control the curvature of their shots, one of the first things I always check is their grip. That’s because hand placement on the club has a huge impact on the clubface and therefore ball flight.

One of the most common mistakes I see from amateurs is where they hold the club in their hand. When setting your hands on the club, you should always hold it in your fingers, not your palm. This will allow the club to swing naturally and release without a lot of effort or manipulation.

2. Set your clubface, then your body

I watch so many golfers try to set their body, or feet, and then their clubface. But, that’s actually incorrect. Think about it, your clubface determines the direction of the ball, so why would you set it last? 

Instead, I want you to get into the habit of setting, or aiming, your clubface to the target first. Then, let your body follow. And the more you practice, the more you will improve your aim and accuracy. 

3. Don’t be afraid to hit the ground

It might sound counterintuitive, but if you want to get the ball up, you have to hit down on it. I see so many players who lift up in their swing to try and help the ball into the air, but this is hurting your chances of making solid contact. 

Instead, I want you to think about hitting down and through the ball. If you’ve done it right, you might even take a divot just after your ball’s original position. 

Now, I know that might be hard to do starting out, so I want you to start with a goal of simply hitting the ground. Even if you hit the ground too early in your downswing, it’s a step in the right direction. 

4. Know when to pitch or chip

Instruction

Do you know the difference between a pitch and a chip? As a quick refresher, a pitch is a shot that flies or carries, more than it rolls a bit, while a chip is a shot that rolls more than it carries. It’s important to understand the difference so you know when to hit each shot as your shot selection will influence what club you use and even how big of a swing you take. 

My course on chipping vs. pitching can help you understand how to improve your technique for each. And, while you’re there, I also recommend you checkout my course on short game calibration. 

5. Have a game plan

One of the best ways to improve your game without even touching a club is to develop your course strategy skills. While course management is usually something that develops over time, there are a few keys you can keep in mind whenever you play that will help you avoid making costly mistakes.

For starters, I always tell my students to avoid what I call “no go” zones. These can be out-of-bounds areas, hazards and even bunkers that pose a challenging escape. By avoiding these, you reduce your chances of having a blow-up hole. 

I also encourage my students to utilize golf GPS apps or devices. These tools often give you a bird’s eye view and calculate precise distances to different areas on the hole, which comes in handy when planning your route and avoiding no-go zones. 

A final tool that you can use on the course is a green-reading app, like this one from GolfLogix. These devices are super accurate and designed to map out the various undulations in the green so you know where to aim, if the putt is uphill or downhill and if it’s moving left or right. And, the more you use them, the better your green-reading abilities will get.