You never know when or where a useful golf tip is going to come along: from a Top 100 Teacher on the range, from a smooth swinger on social media, from your dentist during a root canal. Practical golf advice — the kind that sticks in your head and makes a real difference in your game — can materialize just about anytime and anywhere. And often the best nuggets of wisdom are short and punchy: a single swing thought or practice tactic or mindset shift that for, whatever reason, just clicks.
Which got us thinking: What was the best instruction tip that you — our audience — received in 2023? We asked, via Instagram, and you responded in droves. Sure, there were some snarky quips — “quit,” “take up tennis,” “there’s nothing the 19th hole can’t fix” — but largely our followers provided us with a trove of game-improvement advice that ranged from technical to blessedly simple.
Here are 23 of our favorite tips (edited for brevity and clarity) that our audience shared with us; here’s hoping at least one of them works for you in ’24.
1. YOU’RE NOT THAT LONG
You said it: “It’s always one more club than you think.”
2. PLAY IT COOL
You said it: “You’re not good enough to get angry.”
3. GET A (NEW) GRIP
You said it: “Left hand low putting grip. Changed my game…”
4. GET A (NEW) GRIP, PART II
You said it: “Grip the putter a little tighter…game changer!!!”
5. KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
You said it: “Know your carry distance with your scoring clubs.”
6. SCORECARDS ARE OVERRATED
You said it: “Stop focusing on score/results and enjoy the game in its pure form…hitting good golf shots and making good putting strokes. If you can accept that mindset, the game is pure fun.”
7. SLUMP-BUSTER
You said it: “Narrowing my stance allowed me to get my hips turned through the shot and stop swaying. Immediately started playing great golf again, after going through a slump.”
8. SPEED MATTERS
You said it: “It’s ok to be bad, just be bad and fast.”
9. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE ANGLES
You said it: “In chipping and pitching, a steep angle of attack is good for consistency. I have so much more confidence now.”
10. BE LIKE NELLY
You said it: “First part of takeaway is key. Nelly Korda’s 2-ball drill, moving the second ball straight back. Helps keep club online and tempo.”
For more on Korda’s nifty “push” drill, check out this video:
11. RIGHT HIP TRICK
You said it: “Overheard on TV during a tournament broadcast: fire the right hip more for right-handed golfers.”
12. ENJOY THE RIDE
You said it: “I was told this…‘You’re in your 40s, you just started playing 4 years ago, you have a high swing speed and are 13 handicap. You are already winning. Enjoy the ride more. There are those playing a lot longer than you that will never get where you are. Be thankful.”
13. REST UP!
You said it: “After hard athletic training and speed sessions, RECOVERY is mega important, or you will end up burning out your CNS and also getting injured (repeatedly).”
14. GET STRONGER
You said it: “Adjusting to a stronger grip took my slice away for my irons.”
15. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
You said it: “Repetition is key.”
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16. SOUNDS SIMPLE BUT…
You said it: “Stop 3-putting, it will save you shots.”
17. IT’S ALL IN THE FINGERS
You said it: “Move the grip to my fingers more. Got it out of the palm. Better wrist action. I was just sweeping my clubs before.”
18. HOT START
You said it: “Your grip and the first 1/4 of your swing are 90% of your swing.”
19. EASY DOES IT
You said it: “Don’t hit the ball, swing the club.”
20. INVEST IN YOUR GAME
You said it: “Take lessons.”
21. IF YOU DO JUST 2 THINGS…
You said it: “The number of swing issues that can be avoided by proper alignment and good tempo. I understand now why the professionals work constantly on alignment and how damaging practicing without proper alignment can be.”
You also said it: “Get the set up right and focus on tempo…just 2 thoughts.”
22. IF YOU DO JUST 1 THING…
You said it: “Play more.”
23. FORGET EVERYTHING YOU JUST READ!
You said it: “Stop taking advice.”