| For a few golfers improving their score | | | | * If your ball is only a foot or two off |
| is all about making small adjustments in | | | | the edge of the green putt it instead of |
| their mechanics that can shave a stroke | | | | using a wedge. A lot of amateur golfers |
| or two off their already great score, | | | | think that they need to use a wedge at |
| but for the majority of golfers, | | | | all times when they aren't on the green, |
| learning some basic golf tips can knock | | | | but that is not necessarily so. In fact, |
| off several strokes from each round and | | | | a lot of golfers would be able to get |
| help them play much better golf very | | | | the ball closer to the hole if they |
| quickly. So here are some tips that have | | | | putted the ball instead of pitching it |
| been proven to be very effective in | | | | in those situations, especially if your |
| shooting a better golf score for the | | | | short game is not all that good. So if |
| average golfer. | | | | its within a few feet of the green try |
| * Get some golf lessons. Yes, you can | | | | the putter first and see if it doesn't |
| just go to the driving range and try to | | | | give you better results. |
| do your best on your own, but if you | | | | * Keep your head as steady as you can in |
| want to make the most progress in the | | | | your swing. This is often one of the |
| shortest amount of time possible, you | | | | most common mistakes that golfers make |
| need to get at least a few lessons under | | | | on the backswing. By moving your head |
| your belt. It will get you off to a good | | | | this causes quite a few swing flaws that |
| start and help you enjoy the game | | | | will adversely affect your contact with |
| instead of just feeling like you are | | | | the ball. Think of your head as the |
| fighting it all the time instead. And | | | | pivot that the rest of your body turns |
| there is no substitute for having a | | | | around, almost as if it were nailed into |
| qualified teacher give you personal | | | | position. Of course, its not possible to |
| attention and help adjust your swing | | | | keep it absolutely still, but the |
| mechanics in person. | | | | quieter your head is in the swing, the |
| * Use enough club to get to the hole. | | | | more solid contact you should be able to |
| Its amazing how many golfers assume that | | | | make with the ball. |
| they can muscle a shot up to the hole | | | | * Keep your sense of humor. Golf is a |
| and use a club that is one or two clubs | | | | trying game even for the best players in |
| too short on their approach shot. | | | | the world. So don't expect to be perfect |
| Instead, get to know your club distances | | | | or even come anywhere close to it. Be |
| by going to the driving range first and | | | | able and willing to laugh at yourself |
| writing down how far each club length | | | | and not take yourself or the game too |
| carries for you in distance on the | | | | seriously, at least not to the point |
| average. Then use that as a guide to | | | | that it loses its fun for both you and |
| help you decide how much club you need | | | | others who are playing with you. A |
| to get to your target instead of just | | | | little good humor can go a long way. |
| using the same club that someone else | | | | These tips and suggestions may seem very |
| just used, or making an overly | | | | simple, and for the most part they are, |
| optimistic guess. You can shave lots of | | | | but if you put them in practice you can |
| strokes off your game if you hit most of | | | | be sure of both shooting a lower score |
| your greens instead of come up too short | | | | and having fun every time out on the |
| and have to pitch it on all the time. | | | | course. |