We can’t help it. Recreational golfers, we love the game, and we’re unapologetically hooked on it. We’re also always trying to get better, which means we’re constantly on the hunt for a new tip that could prove the breakthrough for our games. There’s a ton of great information floating around out; the key is finding the piece of golf swing advice that works for you.
So, we asked the members of our How To Hit Every Shot Instruction group (which we invite you to join, too) a straightforward question: What’s the best piece of swing advice you’ve ever received? They came back with a host of simple pieces of advice that helped them the most — and could help you, too.
1. Stay in rhythm
Tempo is universal. But good tempo isn’t. Keeping a smooth rhythm in your golf swing can cover for a lot of sins, and it’s something golfers of every skill level can aspire to.
2. Grip it and rip it
Ah, yes, the John Daly approach. I respect it.
3. You’ll never see a good shot (aka, don’t look up)
Keeping your head down is probably the most common piece of swing advice ever — but don’t tell our Top 100 Teachers, who think it’s the worst piece of advice for golfers to follow.
Not all teachers like this piece of advice, but it’s Ben Hogan-approved.
8. Stop thinking too much
A universally helpful piece of advice here.
9. Don’t listen to random swing advice
This is also very helpful advice.
10. Hit the little ball before the big ball
A.k.a., hit the golf ball before the earth. If you’re hitting the big ball too early, you’ll struggle with fat shots.
11. Reverse K setup
So many golfers don’t set up to the golf ball with enough tilt, which can influence your swing path and cause a slice.
12. Don’t sway; rotate
This is a big one that most golfers need to learn at some point during their journey. You want to move a little side-to-side on the backswing, but not too much.
Luke Kerr-Dineen is the Game Improvement Editor at GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com. In his role he oversees the brand’s game improvement content spanning instruction, equipment, health and fitness, across all of GOLF’s multimedia platforms.
An alumni of the International Junior Golf Academy and the University of South Carolina–Beaufort golf team, where he helped them to No. 1 in the national NAIA rankings, Luke moved to New York in 2012 to pursue his Masters degree in Journalism from Columbia University. His work has also appeared in USA Today, Golf Digest, Newsweek and The Daily Beast.