As a golfer, you’re always looking for ways to improve your game. Maybe you want to break 90 or hit every green in regulation. Or maybe you just want to have a lower golf handicap than your buddies.
Within this article, I’m going to give you some of my best tips on how to lower your handicap. Whether it’s making sure you’re using the best-fitting golf clubs or developing a pre-shot routine, by following these tips, you’ll be well on your way toward becoming better golfers.
11 Ways to a Lower Golf Handicap
1. Improve the Fundamentals of Your Golf Swing
If you’re looking to lower your golf handicap, then you must focus on the fundamentals of your golf swing. Yes, it might seem like an obvious piece of advice, but you’d be surprised how often even the most experienced amateur golfers neglect the basics.
Understanding the correct way to make a backswing, downswing, and follow-through can make all the difference in your game. When you’re able to consistently hit the ball cleanly, you’ll see your scores drop faster than you can say “hole in one.”
But don’t just focus on your full-swing golf shot. You also need to make sure you’re short game is on the right track as well.
So practice the fundamentals of your golf swing until they become second nature, and your golf scores will thank you.
2. Make Sure You Have the Right Clubs
If your golf handicap isn’t where you want it to be, have you stopped to think your clubs might be part of the problem?
One way to start lowering your golf scores and handicap is by using golf clubs that are a good fit for your game.
If you’re just starting or have a higher handicap, using clubs specifically designed for you can make a big difference. They’re designed to be more forgiving when you don’t hit the ball perfectly, giving you a little extra room for error.
On the other hand, if you’ve got a lower handicap, some irons and woods are specifically designed to improve your performance.
Choosing the right golf club for your game can help you hit shots more accurately from the tee box to the putting green. So it’s definitely worth the time to find the right fit.
3. Use the Correct Shafts in Your Clubs
When it comes to picking the right golf club, a lot of us focus our attention on the head of the club. And why wouldn’t we? It’s the part that comes into direct contact with the golf ball.
But what many of us don’t realize is that the shaft is just as important – if not more so. If you’ve got the wrong one, you’ll find yourself fighting an uphill battle.
There are shafts made for slow swingers and those made for the fast and furious.
So make sure you find the right one for you, or else you’ll be cursing yourself as your tee shots and irons take off in the wrong direction.
4. Improve Your Physical Conditioning to Increase Strength and Endurance
While you might hit the gym because of the health benefits, you might not have thought about how it could affect your golf game.
Starting a workout routine has a lot of benefits that can help you hit better golf shots, lower your golf scores, and be a little less sore the day after a round.
Not only will weight training help add distance to your shots, but it’s going to improve your golf swing and increase endurance.
If you’re looking for a way to improve on the golf course, hitting the gym might be the answer you’re looking for. By starting a strength and conditioning program, you can work on building the necessary muscles for a better swing.
5. Find a Good Coach and Take Regular Lessons
Golf can be a frustrating game, especially when it seems like no matter how many rounds you play, your score doesn’t improve.
That’s where taking golf lessons comes into play. Working with a PGA professional can help identify areas where you can make changes. Maybe you want more distance control with your long irons or you want to improve your sand shots. A teaching professional is going to help you.
Sure, you could watch YouTube videos and read golf magazines to pick up tips, but there’s something about having a one-on-one session with a skilled teacher that makes a difference.
Who knows, with some expert guidance and practice, you may even start to see that golf handicap drop sooner than you thought!
6. Practice Smart and Focus on Areas You Need to Improve On
For a lot of amateur golfers, it can get boring hitting golf ball after golf ball at the driving range. and because of that, a lot of people just crank out golf shots without any plan at all.
It’s not just about showing up to the driving range and hitting balls aimlessly. You need to be hyper-focused on the areas that need the most work. If you’ve identified that your swing plane is causing you to slice golf balls, spend a good chunk of your time trying to fix that. If you need to work on your short game, work on that.
Remember, practice makes perfect, but practicing smartly is what will take you to the next level.
7. Learn How to Read Greens, Judge Distance, And Control Your Shot Making
When it comes to improving your golf game, sometimes the smallest tweaks can make the biggest difference.
If you’re looking to lower your handicap, don’t overlook the importance of reading the greens and understanding distance control. These two skills can save you a ton of strokes around the green.
The same goes for iron shots – being just a few yards short or long can make all the difference in your scorecard.
Don’t get discouraged by the seemingly minor aspects of the game – practicing these little things on the golf course can lead to big improvements.
Also Read: Mastering The Perfect Ball Position When Putting
8. Start Recording Your Swing
If you’re serious about improving your golf swing, grab a golf club and start recording yourself.
How else are you going to see what’s going on? It might feel like your swing is as smooth as butter, but when you watch it back on video, you might find that you’re doing some weird chicken dance move with your elbows (Believe me, I’ve seen it).
So, do yourself a favor and set up your smartphone on a tripod the next time you hit the driving range. Press record and let it run. Then, when you get home, you can analyze every little detail and make any necessary adjustments.
Plus, it’s always fun to see how far you’ve come, so keep making those recordings and track your progress.
9. Develop Your Pre-Shot Routine
Whether you’re an average golfer or a seasoned pro, having a pre-shot routine is a game-changer.
It’s not just about going through the motions before each shot, it’s about mentally preparing yourself for what’s to come. Taking that time to visualize your upcoming shot can make all the difference when it comes to accuracy and consistency.
Plus, having a solid routine can lower your handicap, which is a pretty sweet bonus!
So next time you hit the golf course, make sure to take a deep breath and go through your routine.
10. Develop a Putting Routine
Putting can be the most frustrating part of your golf game. One minute you think you know the right speed and line, the next minute you’re convinced that aliens invaded the green and pulled your ball in a different direction.
We’ve all been there, but there’s a solution! A putting routine can be your saving grace, helping you to stay focused and confident.
Some people like to read the green from the ball to the hole, while others prefer to stand behind the ball and visualize the line. It doesn’t matter how you psych yourself up for your putts, make sure you have a routine that works for you. Trust me, your ball (and golf buddies) will thank you.
11. Improve Your Mental Game
Golf is a game that can push you to the brink of frustration. One round you’re feeling like a pro, and the next, you’re slicing your ball right into the trees on every hole. It’s a mental game as much as it is a physical one, and getting over those bad shots quickly is a must.
If you want to break 80, you need to learn how to leave the bad shots behind you and focus on the next shot.
Missing a short putt might feel like the end of the world, but in reality, it’s just one bad shot in a sea of good ones. Remember that golf is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep your eye on the prize, and always focus on the next shot, not the last shot.
The Bottom Line – Taking Your Golf Handicap from 20 to Below 10
If you’re struggling to lower your golf handicap, start implementing a few of these tips at a time. Over time, you’ll notice that your scores are getting back and you’re starting to play golf like you always thought you could.
Sean’s parents first put a golf club in his hands at the age of 8. He immediately fell in love with the game of golf. Today he’s passing on that love to his own kids.
