by Robert Wiley

Created on: April 23, 2009   Last Updated: September 27, 2009

The key to getting low golf scores is pretty simple. I'll assume that you has never attempted golf before. The first thing that you would need to do would be get professional lessons from a certified teaching professional. Your best friend does not count, unless he meets the certified professional criteria. The reason is simple. They are trained at teaching the proper mechanics and swing to the general public. They will help you get the basic fundamentals down so you can at least not embarrass yourself in front of everyone.

After you have the basics down there are a few steps to take that will really get your scores down. Practice your weaknesses, improve the "important part" of the game and play to your strengths. As a former 115 golfer, I can attest that this works. Within a year of taking up the game I became a scratch golfer. I haven't been able to play very much over the last 10 years, however I still maintain a 1 handicap while only playing on average 5 times each year. The plan is as follows.

The first step is to practice. Really take time and practice the right way. Just don't go to the driving range and hit balls like a robot and expect to improve much. Hit each shot with a purpose and examine the result. If it was a good shot, great. If not, figure out what went wrong and work on correcting that. Practice your weaknesses. If you know that you hit your 8 iron right where you want to every time, then work on your other clubs. The 8 iron is your strength, your on the range to improve, improve your weaknesses. Develop the same consistency with each club as you have with your best club.

Second, spend more time on the putting and chipping green then anywhere else. Think about it, half, yes half of the score in a game of golf is on or near the putting green. For instance, a typical par 4. Your allowed a drive, an approach, and two putts. If you were able to make your chipping and putting the best part of your game, you would be a feared opponent for any competition.

Third, play to your strengths. Lets say that you are playing a par 4. Lets say for arguments sake that you can hit your three wood off of the tee and be 150 yards from the green, or you can hit your driver and be 130 yards from the tee. Which should you hit? Of course most people would say the driver because you will have a shorter shot left to the green. Perhaps this is so. Now lets say that you hit your 8 iron 150 yards exactly and your pitching wedge 130. Lets also say you'll hit the green with your 8 iron 8 out of 10 times. Meanwhile your pitching wedge is less reliable and you only hit the green 5 out of 10 times. It would make more sense to hit the three wood leaving your higher percentage 8 iron left for the approach, or the riskier driver with a riskier approach for your game. You will be amazed at how much of a difference that playing to your "strengths" can improve your play.

Golf can be enjoyed by almost anyone. It is even more enjoyable when you can play golf well. By following this plan you should be on the way to playing your best golf and getting more enjoyment from this already great game. Good Luck!

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