Want to card more birdies and pars? Hit more greens in regulation (or “GIRs”). It’s that simple. The more greens you hit, the better your chances of making birdies and pars. Carding more birdies and pars will help you not only break 80 more often, but also reduce your golf handicap.
But hitting more greens in regulation is easier said than done. Ingraining the basics improves your chances of doing it. No doubt about that. But the secret to hitting more greens is making better strategic and pre-shot decisions. Then execute the shot the way you envision it.
Below are six golf tips that will help you execute more shots the way you envision them. They may have been tips you’ve heard about or read about before, but they’re critical to improving your game–they’re that important.
1) Choose the right club: Hitting a green isn’t easy. Even a really good shots can miss such a small area. The key to hitting more greens is figuring out the distances you hit your irons. For example, let’s say you hit your 9-iron 110 to 120 yards. If you’re in the middle of this range, use the club. Otherwise, take one more club or one less club. The percentages are much more in your favor this way.
2) Perfect your aim: Everything starts with your aim. Don’t be careless. Line up the shot from behind the ball, not from beside it. Next, picture a line going from your ball to your target. Then, pick an intermediate spot a few feet in front of your ball, but in line with the target. With that line in mind, set up on a line parallel to the intermediate target by aiming the clubface first, then setting your stance.
3) Use the right ball position: Ideally, you want to adopt the perfect setup position. With short irons and full wedges, your feet should be about shoulder-width apart, with the ball in the middle. For longer clubs, your feet should be wider apart, with the ball just ahead of center. With woods, position the ball just inside your front heel. This tip might seem pretty basic. But you’d be surprised how many golfers don’t adhere to these rules of thumb.
4) Match your body axis: Setting and maintaining a consistent swing axis with your body is the key to solid ball striking and accuracy. So is swinging the club on the swing plane that you set at address. Your axis (and spine angle) is ideal when the clubhead lies flat on its sole and your arms hang straight down.
5) See the shape of the shot: Savvy golfers like to visualize the shot’s flight path from start to finish. Keep in mind that high shots usually go a little farther unless you’re hitting into the wind. Low shots tend to have less spin and aren’t affected by cross winds as much. The key, though, is seeing the shot in your mind and then committing to it. It’s a rule of thumb I emphasize in both one-on-one golf lessons and group golf instruction sessions.
6) Play the shot shape of the day: Some days you just can’t find your normal shot. You just can’t get the shot shape you usually hit. That will happen. So learn to play the shape of the day. It’s easier and more productive. Also, consider using the shot shape the hole demands. If it requires a fade, use a fade. If it requires a draw, use a draw. If you’re having trouble hitting these shots on demand, stay with the shape of the day.
Incorporating these golf tips into your game will improve your accuracy and your ballstriking. That in turn will increase the number of greens you hit in regulation—the key to carding more birdies and pars. Making more pars and birdies will not only help you go low consistently, it’ll also help you chop strokes off your golf handicap.
