A swing change requires commitment. But if you’re hesitant to commit, now might not be the right time for one. Does that mean you’re stuck at your current handicap? Not necessarily. You can adjust your game to lower your scores without overhauling your swing. Consider these eight solutions to see if they could work for you.
Dial in your carry distances
While this may seem obvious, most amateur golfers are shaky on their true carry distances with each club. Get on a launch monitor or simulator and record carry distances for every club. Make a note of each one and keep it with you when you play.
Keep your short game boring
The Phil Mickelson flop shot is fun to hit when it works. However, the golfers who have the best short game are those who use the simplest shots. The bump and runs and even putts from off the green reduce your overall risk and eliminate the blowups.
Pick a stock shot off the tee
If your reason for wanting to make a swing change is the fact that you hit a fade off the tee, start to embrace that fade. Trying to hit a fade on some holes and a draw on another is too much work and creates room for error.
Even professionals have a go-to shot they prefer (or comes naturally to them) and stick to one primary shot shape.
Don’t obssess over the line
Speed control is much more important than the exact line for longer putts.
When the putting green is empty, start on one side and try to putt the ball so that it stops just on the fringe at the other side of the green.
Developing some speed control on these longer putts will lower your scores without making a swing change. Most of your first putts will be over 20 feet so keep that in mind as you practice.
Try the “no-flag” approach
Play a few rounds of golf and forget about the pin position. Work on getting the ball on the safest area of the green.
That may be the middle or, for example, it may be the left side if a bunker is blocking the right side. Minimize your risk by leaving those sucker pins alone and just getting the ball on the green.
Create challenges during practice
Simply beating balls on the driving range won’t make you a better golfer. You must create challenges that add pressure and make practice more like the golf course.
One idea is to create an up-and-down challenge. Take three balls and go to a less-than-ideal location. Hit each one and then try to get up and down from the “worst” of your results. Maybe you left your first one 15 feet short, the next 10 feet short and finally, you hit one a few inches from the pin.
It’s easy to go tap that one in but the reality is the 15-foot shot is the one you’ll end up with most of the time on the course.
Practice your alignment
Golfers are terrible at aiming. When you are practicing, use alignment sticks on the ground to make sure you have a target and are properly aligned with that target. Many times, your mishit was the result of poor aim.
Pick a tiny intermediate target a few feet in front of the ball. Set the clubface so that it is lining up to this target and set your feet and shoulders parallel to that line. Some golfers visualize this as a train track.
Manage expectations on approach shots
Hitting a green in regulation is surprisingly rare. A 15-handicap golfer hits the green only 40 percent from100 yards out.
Pick bigger targets, avoid heroic lines and accept you aren’t going to hit every green in regulation. Keep your composure and learn to get up and down with a simple chip.
This table shows the greens in regulation percentage, average proximity and the number of shots to finish for varying handicaps from 100 yards. Manage your expectations so you make smart decisions on the course.
| Handicap | Proximity (ft) | Shots to Finish | Greens in Reg % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 hcp | 31 ft | 3.05 | 70% |
| 5 hcp | 41 ft | 3.24 | 57% |
| 10 hcp | 49 ft | 3.43 | 49% |
| 15 hcp | 59 ft | 3.70 | 40% |
| 20 hcp | 65 ft | 3.84 | 34% |
| 25 hcp | 75 ft | 4.11 | 28% |
Final thoughts
A swing change may be inevitable at some point. However, if you don’t have the time (or the patience) to commit to one right now, use these tips to improve your scores.
Fake
1 year ago
I strongly second carry distances. I’m not a big hitter. I can carry my 7 iron 130 yards consistently. My playing partners hit theirs 160-180. While I wish I could, I know my clubs and know myself well enough to play my own game.