High handicappers still want to play like low handicappers, and in 2023 our readers have made that clear.
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Improving golf requires enjoying the process. Gains are rarely linear and valleys are to be expected. Playing better golf is a lifelong pursuit, and it’s a game that can never be perfected.
But even though perfection is unattainable, that doesn’t mean it’s a game full of complacency. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Improvement is addictive and golfers are always looking to take that next step.
Having players to look up to and try to emulate is part of that process. Pros are an obvious subset to aspire to, but most of us play a much different game than they do. But in a game with so many different skill levels, we can aim for a little lower, and try to reproduce the games of those who have handicaps lower than ours.
This seemed to be the roadmap for our readers in 2023, as one of our most popular educational articles covered the topic of things low-handicap people do that high-handicap people don’t do. The article is courtesy of GOLF Hall of Fame Professor Mike McGetrick, who we’ve summarized below. (You can read the full article here.)
1. Have a pep talk
Golf is a mental game, so staying engaged between the ears is essential. Sometimes that means giving yourself a good pep talk.
“Good players rehearse their swing, then approach the ball with only positive thoughts, thinking about what they want to do, not what they don’t want to do. They program success,” says McGetrick. “You? Quite the opposite. Think about what usually goes through your mind (see left) right before you start your swing – it’s not good. Transferring confidence from your practice swing to your current swing – in the absence of negative or internal thoughts – is a very powerful tool.
2. Practice…then go play
Making swing adjustments is common, even for the best players, but you can’t think of these technical thoughts on the course. Make these changes at the booth, then trust your training when you get to class.
“Limit mechanical work to training sessions,” says McGetrick. “Good players know that swing thoughts have no place on the course. Separate your practice from your game, using the course time to rehearse your swings so you can execute them without thinking.
3. Find a swing you can score with
Sometimes your swing doesn’t look right on the course. When this happens, put a band-aid on things and do whatever you need to do to post a decent score.
“What really makes things worse, though, is trying to ‘fix’ bad behavior on the fly,” says McGetrick. “It almost never works. Good players – even if they don’t like it – are willing to change tactics to protect their score, knowing that correction will have to wait until later.
4. Compose your wedges
Solid corner play is imperative if you want to take it low. The best way to start dealing with these corners? Learn your transportation numbers.
“In your next practice session, find out how far the ball carries each corner with a quarter, a half, three quarters, and (of course) a full swing,” says McGetrick. “You can even create your own distance chart. If you put in the time, you can generate 16 different distances with your scoring clubs (assuming you carry four wedges).
5. Play smart
Great players don’t always aim for the flag, quite the contrary. They aim for the greasy parts of the greens and avoid trouble at all costs.
“(Make) a two-putt as the worst possible outcome,” McGetrick says. “If the pros are using this strategy, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t too. And who knows? You could just make a bomb, even after playing it “smart”.
6. Chip in one place
Too many recreational players just hit and hope around the greens. What you should do is connect to a spot on the green and try to hit it just above it.
“Good players look at the distance from the curb to the hole and base their landing spot from there,” says McGetrick. “It’s best to use an example. Assume there is 30 feet between the edge of the fringe and the cut. Good chippers will cut this distance in three parts, planning to land the ball 10 feet away and then roll it another 20 feet. Ten feet is the target in this scenario, not the full 30. Once you understand this relationship, more of your tokens will end up within striking distance.
