Ah, the wonderful game of golf. It is a beloved sport and pastime around the world, and it’s easy to see why. Whether you’re observing a game, hitting some putts with friends, or on track to your first PGA tournament, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy. However, even if you’re picking up a golf club for the first time, there are always key fundamentals that when focused on will drive your learning curve and overall success on the green. Though it can be intimidating to embark on the journey to improve your golf game- certain tangible things will take you from bogie to birdie in no time. Here are the things you should focus on first if you want to lower your stroke count and double your fun.
Back to the Basics
On the green, your clubs and your balls will help you overcome all manner of terrain and weather to make a truly spectacular shot. They are the building blocks of your game and the heavy hitters in your bag. While choosing the right balls to use may be based more on the frequency of play and price point, clubs are chosen according to many other important factors. Despite this, clubs are all too often incorrectly sized and fit. According to a study of 100 golfers, 66% of golfers do not fit into the standard 35-inch length of a putter. This means two-thirds of all golfers are being incorrectly fit or making do with improper measurements. To improve your ball striking, making sure your clubs are the right size for you is imperative. Make sure to hold the pose with your perfectly fitting clubs and be ready to see the difference a few inches can make to the quality of your game.
Bring the Green Home
Home is where the green is. Except for the fact that, in reality, it’s not. Though some people may seem like they live at the golf course, the truth of the matter is, unless you’re a pro golfer it can be difficult to find time in a busy schedule to accommodate your practice. To make matters worse, golf is unfortunately not an all-season game. Depending on where you live and what the conditions are, you can be looking at only a select few months to hone your skills outdoors. If you’re serious about improving your game, a golf mat can be just the thing you’ve been looking for. Enabling you to take the course home, these mats offer the freedom and flexibility to golf anywhere without ripping up lawns or scratching up floors. Practicing your swing on the go, wherever you go, will give you the competitive edge you’ve been looking for.
Clothes You Can Swing In
Often overlooked, what you wear when you tee-off is important, and will make you reconsider wearing just any polo and khaki combination. The most important benchmark here is comfort. While it is well known that many golf courses adhere to strict dress codes, times are changing and regulations have lifted. Be sure to feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, as this is going to impact your gameplay the most. Try flexible, sweat-wicking materials, and things that you feel loose in! Feeling like yourself is a hugely important aspect of dressing for a game, as it will infuse you with the confidence you need to make your hours of practice count. Once you have your gloves, hat, and sunglasses stowed safely in your bag, try putting together a look that embodies the golfer you want to be. Look for garments with lots of pockets, as you will save time searching your person for small accessories (tees, pencils, ball-markers) and have more time to focus on the task at hand.
Having the raw materials for success is not something to be overlooked. Investing in the right equipment means investing in the quality of your golf game. It’s not always possible to spend a large amount of time at your local course- but don’t let that impede your progress. Being smart with your money means knowing what will have the highest value and impact in your life. In the case of sharpening your golf skills, this means going back to basics, and allocating time wherever you can spare it. By making it as easy as possible to work on your swing, you have no excuse not to clock the necessary hours. Without a doubt, if you have a love of the game and put in the effort, you will get better at golf. Make it easy to become the golfer you were born to be by ensuring you have the right toolbox to succeed.