The post 5 mistakes with wedges that cost golfers the most shots appeared first on Golf.

The post 5 mistakes with wedges that cost golfers the most shots appeared first on Golf.

Great wedge play starts with understanding how solid contact is created. Many golfers struggle around the greens because they unknowingly make the game harder than it needs to be. By focusing on a few key fundamentals (impact, ball position, balance, and feedback) you can improve contact, control distance more effectively and hit more shots close to the target.

1. Stop trying to lift the ball

Golf can be a very counterintuitive game. Many golfers who struggle with wedge shots, or even full swings, do not fully understand how the golf ball gets into the air.

A common mistake is trying to help or lift the ball off the ground. When golfers attempt to scoop the ball into the air, it often leads to poor contact, making it nearly impossible to control distance or consistently hit shots close to the target.

2. Understand impact

On a properly struck wedge shot, the club makes contact with the ball first and then the ground. The loft of the clubface does the work of launching the ball into the air.

When the ball is compressed against the clubface and struck in the center of the grooves, the club’s loft creates the trajectory. In most solid golf shots, the club contacts the ball before taking a small divot after impact.

There are many great videos that demonstrate this concept. One of my favorites to share with students is a compilation of well-struck divots that clearly shows the club entering the turf after impact.

3. Ball position is key

Ball position is important throughout the game, but it becomes especially critical in wedge play from short grass.

Avoid playing the ball too far forward in your stance. When the ball is positioned too far forward, the club often reaches the bottom of its swing arc before it gets to the ball, causing the club to strike the ground first.

If you frequently hit heavy wedge shots or take excessive turf before impact, check that your ball position is closer to the center of your stance. This simple adjustment can dramatically improve contact and consistency.

4. Finish forward

During the downswing and through impact, allow your weight and momentum to move toward your lead side. Avoid falling backward or trying to lift the ball into the air.

A balanced finish with your weight over your lead foot promotes better contact and more consistent results. A great way to check this is by holding your finish after every shot. If your weight moves away from the target, poor contact often follows.

One excellent habit is to hold your finish until the ball stops rolling. Not only does this improve balance, but it also provides valuable feedback about your movement through the shot.

5. Monitor face contact

Pay attention to where the ball is contacting the clubface. This is one of the best ways to make adjustments and improve your strike quality.

Often, you can see the impact location directly on the clubface after a shot. If not, impact spray can be applied to the face to leave a visible mark where the ball was struck.

Shots struck low on the face can reduce the club’s effective loft and may indicate that the club is not reaching the ground properly at impact.

A divot board is also an excellent training aid. It provides immediate feedback on both the club’s interaction with the ground and the quality of impact, helping golfers develop more consistent wedge contact.

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The post Greg Norman’s 3 best power tips for golfers who hit it short and straight appeared first on Golf.

The post Greg Norman’s 3 best power tips for golfers who hit it short and straight appeared first on Golf.

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, but the best advice stands the test of time. In GOLF.com’s new series, Timeless Tips, we’re highlighting some of the greatest advice teachers and players have dispensed in the pages of GOLF Magazine. This week, we look back at our February 1989 issue for three power tips from Greg Norman.

During his prime, Greg Norman could belt the golf ball. In the late 80s and into the 90s, the Shark routinely ranked as one of the longest drivers on the PGA Tour, giving him a distinct distance advantage over his competitors.

Over 30 years later, the premium on distance is no different. When you’re able to hit it further than your competitors, you put yourself in a hugely advantageous position.

For some golfers, though, distance is not so easy to come by (myself included). So, in order to be competitive, it’s important to squeeze every last bit of distance out of your drives.

Back in the February 1989 issue of GOLF Magazine, Norman shared some tips for just that type of golfer. Read below for his three power keys that are perfect for short-hitting players.

Greg Norman’s power tips

1. Pre-swing brainwashing

You’ll never increase your driving distance without a positive mental attitude. Confidence is vital to making an uninhibited, powerful pass through the ball. It explains why a cocky player with a mediocre swing often hits the ball farther than a top-notch player who lets even one negative thought enter his mind.

To swing with power, you’ve got to think power. As soon as you pull the driver from your bag, begin seeing yourself making a big wind-up and exploding through the ball. As you settle in at address, flex your knees and wiggle your feet until you feel a tension — a springiness — in your legs. Adjust your grip until your fingers feel supple while holding the club securely. Finally, focus hard on the back of the ball, directing all your mental energy into impact.

2. Widen your arc

Don’t think you can tear the cover off the ball simply by thinking about it. Even the most positive outlook needs the support of a good swing, and that begins with a wide arc. 

Widening your swing arc means the club actually travels a longer distance, giving it more time to build up speed. The size of the arc is determined in the first few feet of the backswing: If you cock your wrists early, the radius of the arc — formed by the left arm and clubshaft — shortens, so the swing shortens. But if you keep the wrists firm so the left arm and club shaft form a straight line parallel to the ground at the halfway-back position, your arc is as wide as possible. Maintain the wide arc by swinging the club up to the top (the wrists will hinge naturally), with your shoulders turned about 120 degrees past their starting point, your hips 60 degrees, and your hands set well above your head.

3. Organize the downswing

Many short hitters reach the top and instinctively tighten their grip and pull the club down because they think that’s the way to create power. In fact, these actions ruin the timing vital to releasing your hands, cutting, rather than adding to, your distance.

The downswing must begin by driving the legs toward the target. If you can start that way, the rest of the downswing will follow naturally: Your weight will transfer to the left foot, and your left hip will clear, opening a passage for your arms as the club comes down. Then the right side will get into the act, bringing maximum power with it.

A final suggestion: In kicking off the downswing with the legs, you want to feel as if you are staying behind the ball and hitting against a firm left side. (Picture a board running up along your left leg and side, keeping you from sliding too far forward as the club comes down.) To stay behind this way, keep your eyes on the back of the ball as long as possible through impact.

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The post 5 reasons you should consider a golf vacation appeared first on Golf.

I have been fortunate that golf has truly taken me around the globe. After college, I traveled extensively, playing on various international women’s golf tours and experiencing different people, cultures and ways of life. Some experiences were easier than others, and some were so much fun they are hard to describe.

Now that my son is 17 years old and playing tournament golf, I have the opportunity to travel with him for his events and occasionally play golf alongside him at some incredible destinations.

Recently, we traveled to the Dominican Republic for an AJGA tournament. We arrived a day early, and he and I played Corales Golf Club, which was both stunning and challenging. The course was beautifully maintained, and the ocean views were spectacular.

The following day, my son played a practice round and certainly didn’t need his mom following him around all day. So, I decided to make the trip to Casa de Campo to play Teeth of the Dog. I had heard so much about the course over the years that I was eager to experience it for myself.

Here are some of my takeaways and why I believe you should seriously consider a golf trip abroad.

1. Fantastic views

The stunning seaside landscapes alone make these trips worthwhile. It is difficult to put into words just how beautiful the views are and how impressive the course designs can be.

At Corales, even the holes away from the water were thoughtfully designed, challenging and visually striking. Every hole felt unique, and the overall experience was unforgettable.

2. Getting out of your comfort zone

Traveling in a different country where another language is spoken can be both exciting and challenging.

While many travelers might arrange for a driver, I rented a car and planned to drive myself. It was a great way to see more of the countryside and experience the destination beyond the resort. My GPS worked perfectly, and I only encountered one minor issue when I reached a toll booth that required pesos instead of U.S. dollars. After getting change from a helpful security guard, I was on my way.

Moments like that require a little problem-solving, but they often become some of the most memorable parts of the trip.

3. Experiencing different cultures

The people of the Dominican Republic were fantastic. Everyone we encountered, both inside and outside the resort, was incredibly welcoming and kind.

One of my favorite memories happened at customs, where the agent sang the entire time she checked our passports. We also appreciated how patient and encouraging the locals were as we attempted to speak Spanish, despite our limited skills.

By the end of the trip, our Spanish had improved noticeably. In fact, I found myself missing the opportunity to speak it once we returned home.

4. The caddie program

Teeth of the Dog is every bit as beautiful as its reputation suggests. The oceanfront holes are breathtaking, and the course itself is exceptional.

I played in the afternoon, so the course was relatively quiet. I was paired with a wonderful caddie who made the experience even more enjoyable. Being able to walk the course while benefiting from his local knowledge added another dimension to the round.

He earned my trust very quickly. Having caddied there for 23 years, he offered excellent advice from the very first hole. Later in the round, I faced a blind approach shot. He told me exactly where to aim and how far to hit it. Honestly, I would never have chosen that line on my own.

As luck would have it, my second shot on that par 4 found the bottom of the cup for an eagle. I think my caddie may have been even more excited than I was. It was a special moment, and one that would not have happened without his guidance.

Yes, I hit the shot, but his advice was absolutely essential.

5. Lifelong memories

I enjoy photography in general, but I find myself taking even more photos when traveling for golf. Looking back through those pictures brings back incredible memories of the courses, destinations, and people I met along the way.

The experience of discovering a new course, exploring a new location, and meeting new people is truly priceless.

I would return to the Dominican Republic in a heartbeat. We had a wonderful trip, my son played well in his tournament, and we created memories that will last a lifetime. It was a win all around.

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The post 5 ways to easily improve your pitch shots appeared first on Golf.

The post 5 ways to easily improve your pitch shots appeared first on Golf.

Great pitch shots combine proper technique, consistent contact and confidence. Many golfers struggle with pitching because they either fear hitting the ground or try to help the ball into the air. In reality, solid pitch shots come from allowing the club’s bounce and loft to do the work naturally. By improving your setup, controlling distance correctly, and practicing with purpose, you can develop a more reliable short game and create the soft, controlled shots that help lower scores.

1. Have a perfect setup

A proper setup helps ensure the bounce of the club glides through the ground correctly. The great news is that when the club moves properly through impact, there is no reason to fear hitting the ground. When the club constantly digs, golfers often become hesitant to strike the turf, which makes it difficult to hit high, soft pitch shots that stop quickly.

Set up with the club centered in your body so the clubhead sits in the middle of your heels. Keep the end of the grip pointing toward the center of your body to avoid excessive shaft lean and de-lofting the clubface.

2. Allow the club to do the work

Allowing the bottom of the club to interact with the ground naturally lets the loft of the club do the work. This helps the ball make clean contact with the lofted part of the face. Avoid the urge to try to lift or scoop the ball into the air.

One of my favorite drills for this is the “scrape drill.” From your setup position, make no backswing and simply scrape the club along the ground through to the finish. This reinforces the feeling that the club should contact the ground and continue moving through it, helping you avoid scooping or lifting incorrectly.

3. Know how to control distance

Avoid trying to force speed or distance when you need a longer shot. Instead, simply adjust the length of your backswing and allow the club’s speed to change naturally.

A shorter backswing creates less speed and therefore less carry distance. As the backswing becomes longer, the potential speed and distance increase automatically. The more consistent your setup and preparation become, the more reliable your results will be over time.

4. Calibrate your landing spot

I am a big believer in calibrating your short game, especially pitch shots, because landing distance is often critical. In many cases, pitch shots are required to carry over hazards or obstacles, making precise distance control extremely important.

You can improve this skill by calibrating and charting your carry distances in 10-yard increments. Record which club and swing length produce each distance. If you would like to learn how to calibrate your entire short game, I have created a course designed to help you build consistency and lower your scores.

5. Build confidence with perfect lies

To build confidence, it can be helpful to begin practicing pitch shots from slightly longer grass. Longer grass makes it easier to get the ball into the air and provides a bit more margin for error.

I have also used this approach when helping golfers build confidence with fairway woods. Once success is established from longer grass, gradually move to tighter lies and shorter grass, which can be more challenging — especially when learning to use the bounce correctly and strike the ground consistently.

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The post Why this common setup mistake kills your driving consistency appeared first on Golf.

The post Why this common setup mistake kills your driving consistency appeared first on Golf.

If you’re struggling with consistency off the tee, the fix might be as simple as adjusting your ball position. 

According to Tom Stickney, a GOLF Top 100 Teacher alum, one of the biggest mistakes he sees golfers make with their driver is playing the ball too far forward in their stance. 

“When the ball is too far forward in the stance, you have to reach to go get it,” he says. 

This small change causes a ripple effect in your swing. 

When you reach for the ball at address, Stickney explains that your trail shoulder naturally comes forward and your shoulders open up to the target. This sets you up to swing on an out-to-in swing path—usually resulting in a pull or slice. 

Ball position: inside lead heel

Instead of playing the ball where you normally would, Stickney says to shift your ball position back — so it falls in line with your inside lead heel.

Then, make sure that your shoulders are square with your target.

“From there, the club can transition from the inside and you’ll eliminate that big miss,” Stickney says. 

Once you get this feel of an “inside-out” swing, you’ll be able to eliminate your slice — and maybe even hit a draw. Give it a shot.

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The post Ben Crenshaw shares 8 keys for a smooth swing tempo appeared first on Golf.

The post Ben Crenshaw shares 8 keys for a smooth swing tempo appeared first on Golf.

Golf instruction is ever-evolving, but the best advice stands the test of time. In GOLF.com’s Timeless Tips, we highlight some of the greatest advice teachers and players have dispensed in the pages of GOLF Magazine. This week, we look back at our October 1978 issue where Ben Crenshaw shared eight keys for a smooth swing.

There’s no greater compliment your playing partners can give you than saying you have a “smooth swing.” A silky smooth move — a la Fred Couples or Ernie Els — is not only aesthetically pleasing, but quite effective, too.

But while these smooth swings may look effortless, they are anything but. A smooth tempo is crafted over years of practice, and honing it takes time to achieve.

Ben Crenshaw is a prime example of this. And back in the October 1978 issue of GOLF Magazine, the two-time Masters champ shared eight keys for developing a smooth swing tempo. Check it out below.

Crenshaw’s keys for smooth tempo

Every golfer has done it. You rush one shot, then another, before you can recover, you’ve made a bogey, a double bogey or worse. How can you recover your tempo? The first adjustment is a mental one.

To slow down, say to yourself, ‘‘Golf is a leisurely game. What’s the point of rushing? The ball is not going anywhere — only I can move it.’’ Second, remind yourself of the good shots you’ve hit; you didn’t rush them, did you? Decide you will swing the same way on your next shot.

Now that you’re in the right frame of mind, here are some other techniques, not all of which will apply every time you have a spell of swinging too quickly. But they make a handy checklist, and I’ll bet that, at any one point in time, a couple of them will do the trick for you.

1. Don’t rush your pattern

The first place to look when you’re rushing your shots is before you set up to the ball. You can fall into the habit of walking faster than normal between shots, and then of setting up too quickly. To slow yourself down, take a couple of deep breaths. Breathe in deeply. As you breathe out, imagine the tension draining out of your body. Try it; it works for me.

Another point: Go through each step of your regular pattern of taking address. Don’t cut your pattern short; you can speed up without noticing it. A practice swing also can help. I particularly like a ‘‘half practice swing.’’ You swing slowly half way back, then half way through. This does wonders for your tempo.

2. Take it easy at address

Once you’re over the ball, check the speed of your waggle. If it’s too fast, your backswing will be too fast. Also check your grip pressure. A fast backswing often results from too tight a grip, especially with the right hand.

Another must for a smooth backswing is a slight forward press with the right knee — normally an instinctive move. If you’re rushing, though, you’re apt to leave it out; you may have to think consciously of a forward press before it becomes a habit again.

A fourth common fault at address is pushing the club into the ground behind the ball. Invariably you will compensate by jerking the club back too quickly. Let the club “hang” from your shoulders in the grass behind the ball, but up slightly off the ground. It makes a slow, smooth start to the swing much easier. I do it and Jack Nicklaus does it, so you’ll be in good company.

3. Go back low and slow

One of the best ways I know of slowing down the backswing is to think ‘‘low and slow.” If you think ‘‘low,’’ the left shoulder has to move back with the arms and clubs as one piece. Think ‘‘slow’’ and it’s natural for your left leg to move early in the backswing to coordinate with the upper body movement. Starting the larger muscles of the shoulders and legs as soon as the backswing gets underway automatically makes you swing back with good tempo, because these muscles cannot move quickly.

In contrast, when you swing back too fast, it’s usually the result of the smaller muscles in the hands and wrists working independently. They pick up the club quickly, and the larger muscles contribute too little too late. You never achieve a full windup in the hips, shoulders, arms, hands and club. As a result, you throw from the top, come over the top of the ball and soon.

4. Finish the backswing

Whichever way you cut it, you’ll never get a good downswing from an incomplete backswing. However, that’s exactly the problem when you swing back too fast — you do start down before you ever get wound up. This is the reason I like the thought: Swing the club all the way back. The word “‘all’’ is the key. Each of us has an optimum windup — an optimum hip turn, optimum shoulder turn, optimum length of arm swing and optimum wrist cock. You’ve got to give yourself time to let these things happen.

Wait until you feel that your hands and the club have reached that good “‘slot’’ behind you. The chances are good that you will have swung back with good tempo and that your hips, shoulders, arms and wrists have worked properly. You feel you have all the time in the world to swing back. That’s the correct feeling to have.

5. Wait for the ‘pull’

Bobby Jones has said that you should start down in a leisurely fashion toward the ball. I agree. The only area in the swing where the club has to fly is from hip high in the downswing to hip high in the followthrough. Start down too quickly and you can still hit too early and dissipate your power long before you reach the ball.

That’s why it’s a good idea to wait for the “pull.” You feel this pulling down action in the left arm, which results from allowing the left heel to return to the ground and the left knee to move to the left, the first moves in a correct downswing. Once you’ve given yourself time to make these essential lower body moves first, you can safely let it go and, in Jones’ word, “free-wheel” through the ball and on into a full finish.

6. Set your key

If you have a favorite tempo key, write it down where you can see it. One Tour player I knew stuck a label with the word “Tempo” across the decal of his driver. If I were to do something like that, I would use the words “one-two” — a small ‘‘one’’ to represent low and slow back, and a big ‘‘two’’ for the acceleration through impact. Other places to put keys on would be the back of your glove or stamped directly on your golf ball.

7. Pick the right club

One reason you’re rushing your shots may be that you’re not taking enough club. If you’re habitually selecting the club you have to hit hard and solid to get the ball to the hole, then you are putting unnecessary pressure on your swing; you risk rushing the shot every time. Try taking one more club than usual; you’ll swing more slowly and easily knowing you can get the ball up to the stick. You may be on the back of a couple of greens, but most times you’ll hit the ball the right distance.

8. Kick off your shoes

If you’re rushing the swing and nothing you’ve tried works, here’s a cure I use that’s infallible. Go to the practice tee, kick off your shoes and hit some shots in your stocking feet. Without spikes to hold you firm, you’ll lose your balance if you swing too fast. But stay with it. After a few more shots, you will begin cutting back on the speed of your swing and meeting the ball solidly. Put your shoes back on and continue swinging at the same tempo. I think you’II like the results.

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The post This ‘heathland citrus’ course in Florida is ripe for playing appeared first on Golf.

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“Heathland citrus.”

Odds are you’ve never heard the term, but it’s how Jim Wagner describes the course he and Gil Hanse recently completed at the southern tip of a sandy ridge that runs for 100 miles through otherwise flat central Florida.

The label fits. In a state where most courses play to type (palm-fringed; real estate–flanked), High Grove bucks and rolls. More than 65 feet of elevation change mark the property, lending uncommon movement to holes that climb and dip across a rumpled canvas.

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The terrain makes High Grove unusual. The setting makes it singular. Most of the holes spill through a working citrus grove, so the air is perfumed with blossoms and the backdrop bustles with handpicking.

A standout stretch from 6 through 9 plays over and along a sandy spine that bisects the site, delivering scenery and shotmaking demands rare for Florida too.

The first 18 opened in December and a short course in March, equidistant from Naples and Jupiter, in a setting that feels both peacefully removed and central to the state’s booming golf belt.

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The post How to attack a tucked pin: Remember these 4 keys appeared first on Golf.

The post How to attack a tucked pin: Remember these 4 keys appeared first on Golf.

When you get a look at the green from the fairway, it’s tempting to take dead aim at the flagstick, but it’s not always the best play.

When the pin is guarded by a hazard — like on No. 4 at TPC Sawgrass (see main photo above) — going for it can bring a big number into play. The key to posting a low score is avoiding mistakes rather than pulling off hero shots. Remember these four things when facing a tucked pin.

4 keys to remember when attacking a tucked pin

1. Aim for the fat. Make your target line the widest part of the green. This gives you the largest margin for error. 

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2. Don’t over-curve it. When shaping the shot toward the flagstick, don’t overdo it or you’ll be short-sided (or worse). 

3. Take extra club. It’s smart to take a little more club than the number calls for. Even if you miss your start line, you’ll carry the trouble. 

4. Accept a long putt. There’s nothing wrong with hitting an approach to 45 feet and two-putting. Par will never hurt your scorecard.

Joe Plecker is the director of instruction at The Landings Golf & Athletic Club in Savannah, Ga.

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The post Copy this minute-by-minute breakdown of Nelly Korda’s warm-up appeared first on Golf.

Earlier this year, I attended the LPGA’s Ford Championship to observe how the best women in the game prepare for their rounds.

It was an enlightening experience — especially when it came to watching World No. 1 Nelly Korda go about her business.

Did she spend ages beating balls on the range, as we rec players tend to do? No. In fact, Korda’s on-course warm-up was relatively short: only 44 minutes from start to finish, yet she managed to touch on every single part of her game.

Needless to say, there’s a lot we can learn from Korda! Check out the minute-by-minute breakdown of her pre-round preparation below.

Nelly Korda’s minute-by-minute pre-round warm-up

When: March 27, 2026

Where: Ford Championship

11:57 a.m. Korda arrives at the putting green.

11:59 a.m. Short putts first. Korda begins with a tee-gate drill that her caddie set up before her arrival. Various distances are already marked, with the longest tee mark about 10 feet from the hole. Korda concludes her putting work with a few shorties on a stroke-training mat.

12:10 p.m. Range warm-up begins with an alignment stick and easy wedges, working up to short irons.

12:20 p.m. Mid-irons, hybrids and fairway woods.

12:27 p.m. A few swipes with the driver, before finishing with a couple more easy wedges.

12:31 p.m. Short chips and bunker shots.

12:36 p.m. Korda heads back to the putting green to hit a few 30-footers to various targets.

12:41 p.m. That’s a wrap — and a short walk to the 1st tee for a 12:50 p.m. tee time.

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The post How to achieve maximum spin with your short irons appeared first on Golf.

The post How to achieve maximum spin with your short irons appeared first on Golf.

Every rec player wants to hit chip shots that take one hop and stop on a dime.

Good news: It’s easier than it looks. The key is combining an open clubface with a downward angle of attack, and both are achievable with a few simple setup adjustments.

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Start by grabbing your highest-lofted wedge and positioning the ball slightly forward in your stance, just below your lead eye. To promote a steeper attack angle, use a modified grip: place all five fingers of your trail hand on the club, then set the index finger of your lead hand over the pinkie of your trail hand to create a reverse overlap. Finally, rotate your trail hand slightly on top of the grip to encourage a more descending angle of attack.

From there, make an up-and-down chipping motion and focus on striking the back of the ball cleanly. Done correctly, the ball will check quickly and stop—just like it does for the pros.

Jeff Smith is director of instruction at The Vintage Club in Indian Wells, Calif., and Pine Canyon Golf Club, in Flagstaff, Ariz.

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