Mark Twain was known to make a comment regarding golf spoiling a good walk. From hooking and slicing shots, balls that land in the sand to overshooting the green, these can all add to your frustration. In an ideal world, everyone would have an expert caddy that told them exactly which club to use. Key to becoming a better golfer is being able to choose the right clubs. Read on to learn how to evaluate clubs and choose the right ones for you.
If you wear a size X shoe, buy size X 1 shoes in order to account for foot expansion during your walk around the course. If you buy a pair of golf shoes that perfectly fit inside the store, you might really regret the discomfort you can have near the eighteenth hole.
Dedicate some time to familiarizing yourself with a course new to you prior to teeing off for the first time. Look at a map or talk with another player to find out about the dangers of the courses, to avoid committing unnecessary mistakes.
Make a friendly wager the next time you play a game of golf. Some drinks or a free lunch for the winner could certainly make things a lot more interesting. Even if you do not put up a high-value prize, the motivation of an added prize may be enough to give an edge to the game.
Use your lofted irons or pitching wedge when warming up at the driving range. This helps you start out with some great strokes, so you can build your self-assurance before you start practicing with your trickier clubs.
When holding your club, utilize a neutral grip. Holding your club too tightly when you swing will usually make your shots turn right instead of going straight. Inversely, holding your club loosely will cause the ball to go left. Correct your grip by using the direction of the shots.
Every golf club has a "sweet spot" - the point on the face where a ball struck with a good swing has perfect accuracy. You should find out where this spot is on each of your clubs, and connect with the ball when you reach the end of a downward swing.
For beginner golfers, learning to grip the club properly is key. Many people mistakenly believe they should grip the club extra-tight to hit the ball further. Grip your club softly but firmly. Hold your club as if it were a bird.
Golf is all about paying attention to detail. When your turn to play arrives, you must be prepared. There will be other golfers who will want to golf on the hole that you are on.
Think about packing a small snack chock full of protein on the course, like a bag of nuts. Golf's a game that can make you very tired both mentally and physically. The extra protein and calories from your snack will keep your mind sharp and help fend off muscle fatigue, keeping you going all the way through 18 holes.
Take a deep breath before you swing at the golf ball. This keeps you calm and puts the focus where it needs to be, on the ball. Take a few moments to get a clear idea of your ball's destination, then swing. When in competition, try taking deep breaths to relax.
Avoid using an unnatural stance. Practice swinging at the ball sans club. Assume a posture where you are bent a little forward at waist and knees. See if your arms are in a good position to swing the club. Clap your hands together, as if around a club. If the position you are in feels awkward, it is likely not a good one. Keep it simple.
Even when you are in a rush to tee off, it is best to head on over to the driving range to warm up before you begin your round. You can start off well if you take practice shots.
Among the more basic fundamentals of golf is to maintain a constant awareness of your ball. This rule applies to many sports, but this is particularly true for golf. It follows that you should keep your head down and lock your eyes on the ball while swinging.
Try a toe-wiggling experiment to reveal any faults in your stance. If a golfer leans too far over the ball, wiggling their toes will be very difficult. Proper posture for golfers can be obtained by leaning back until there is some play in the feet.
If your swings usually involve trouble shifting your weight around, and especially if you find yourself leaning away from your tee after hitting your ball, then consider putting in some hours at the driving range practicing a baseball-style stance. Lifting your forward foot slightly during your back-swing and stepping back down during the shot can give you a feel for how body weight can be shifted forward though your swing.
If you're having difficulty slicing your ball off the tee, change your stance by placing your foot closer to it. You can actually naturally balance yourself by doing this, which in turn for your second attempt keeps your ball right in the fairway.
Inspect your golf clubs before buying them. The club head is especially important; don't buy clubs without checking the heads for wear. A good indicator that a club is past its prime is if you notice an worn-out spot on the head. Clubs that contain such spots will hit the ball much less effectively than a new club.
Strong, limber and flexible arms will greatly improve your golf swing. When you are preparing for a golf game, try working out, stretching, and getting a nice massage. Massage will loosen your joints and muscles, which will support the movements you need to perform for a good golf swing. Yoga can be beneficial as well, as it limbers the arms and torso for a smooth swing.
Get more from your time on the course by walking it instead of driving. Walking from one hole to another gives you extra exercise, thus supplementing the health benefits of playing golf. Your joints and muscles will also be looser and stay warm if you walk.
Learn how to use the correct stance. If you don't know if you're standing properly, you can find out by doing an easy test. Just try tapping your toes upwards and downwards while keeping your feet still. It shouldn't be too challenging for you to give your toes a good tap. This maneuver will be difficult if you are too far forward in your stance and very easy if you are too far back.
As there are such a vast range of people who enjoy golfing, it may feel like some of the advice offered is not applicable to you. But, the guidance in this piece is applicable to virtually everyone. When you go out to play that next round, think back to these pointers and use them to your advantage. You should see some real improvements in your golf game no matter what kind of golfer you are.
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