Believe it or not, there is an easy way to lower your golf score. No, it’s not with an eraser as Arnold Palmer would say. It is through three basic approaches to golf that I have learned over the years. As we go through the process of lowering our golf score, it actually coincides with how good a golfer you are on a day-to-day basis. Yes, golf is about achieving lower scores, but it is also about consistently achieving a grade that your game can sustain on a regular basis. This is the real rub of the green. By understanding that playing golf consistently over time is the best approach to lowering your golf score. This is the root of my three approaches to lowering golf scores.
The first step or approach is to know the distances of your clubs. This seems a little strange, but understanding how far you hit each club will greatly improve your club selection on all shots. Most amateurs increase their club distances and use the longest stroke they make each shot with each club. Each of us can have a great shot from time to time, but that’s not a consistent distance to use for club selection. I normally hit my 7 iron 150 yards, give or take a few yards on any given day. I’ve hit 175 yards a few times, but that’s not my normal distance. When determining the distances per club, I therefore use the average distance. I’ll say it again: most amateurs exaggerate their average distances at every club – don’t be one of those players.
My second approach is to focus most of my practice time on chipping and putting. More than half of our shots are achieved within 20 meters of the green. Data from MyGolfSpy shows that approximately 65% of a player’s total shots (including putts) come from 100 yards and beyond, including ‘scoring’ wedge shots and green-side chips. If this is the case, and I believe it is the case, then all golfers need to hone their shots, starting with the putting, then the short game shots, and then the approach shots from less than 100 yards. The data is driving all players in this direction, so get on the bus and shift your focus to your short game if you want to lower your golf scores.
Finally, manage your expectations. I’m not suggesting that you don’t focus your efforts on improving your game, but how many of you can actually hit a 280 yard drive consistently. Hit the green on approach shots more than 50% of the time. Or never three putt. I would suggest that most golfers cannot achieve these great statistics. My best games ever included a 50% GIR and a total putt under 24. And I was still just a few strokes under par. Developing a consistent game and then diving deep into specific skills is key. Manage your expectations about always hitting hero shots. It’s just not possible. Professional golfers achieve great statistics by developing a consistent basic game and honing their skills. They have expectations that match or slightly exceed their skill level to become better golfers. Manage your expectations and nibble on your golf scores.
There you have it. My three processes for lower golf scores are knowing your distances for each club, spending the majority of your practice time on shots within 100 yards of the green (especially putting), and managing your expectations. They are simple approaches that require some effort. Golf is not a game where you are automatically a good player. It takes effort and time. However, if you put the time and effort into it, good things happen.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
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