Play Your Best Game » Lower Score
Lowering Score
Q: What’s the best way to lower my score?
A: Players come in after their rounds and often complain how they’re not improving. After all, they play all the time! My advice is to practice and practice smart. When practicing, one should follow these guidelines:
1. Always make a swing aiming at a specific target…so always practice from a practice station. Simply place your two longest irons to form a “T” formation and place the ball where the clubs intersect; this station takes care of ball position and alignment.
2. Have only 1 swing thought for the entire practice session. Many golfers hit dozens of balls with dozens of swing thoughts to compensate. These golfers are unintentionally trying to fix the effects of their bad swing.
3. On the practice tee, make more practice swings than bass actually hit.
4. Practice 50% of the time in full swing, 25% putting, and 35% chipping, pitching, and bunkers.
5. Perfect your pre-swing for every swing on the practice tee. This would involve your grip, posture, ball position and alignment.
6. When you play the course, take at most one practice swing unless you are waiting to play. If waiting for the course to clear in front of you, use that time to “perfect your swing.”
Jeff Sorkness, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Talking Stick Golf Club
(480) 860-2221
jsorkness@troongolf.com
