A new year has arrived, so it’s time to set your goals for taking your golf game to the next level. Here is how to play your best golf in 2024, and how to continue to build on your improvement.
Get some golf knowledge
Most golfers are absolutely clueless about such topics as the ball flight laws and the swing plane.
Most golfers probably can’t even describe how to properly hold a golf club.
If you don’t have that knowledge, how do you expect to know what to work on and how to practice?
Head over to my Start Here page to get some knowledge!
Get stronger
If you are over 40, and you aren’t getting stronger, you are getting weaker. That’s just a fact.
We start losing muscle mass around age 40 through a process called sarcopenia. It happens to everyone, unless they train to get stronger and build muscle.
And, there is good news… even if you are over 70, you can get stronger and build muscle if you haven’t been training.
The fastest way to get stronger and build muscle is through barbell training.
However, if you are a bit intimidated about training the basic compound movements, you can get stronger by training with dumbbells, kettlebells and machines… it will just take you longer.
Overhead press in my garage
Keep this formula in mind going forward… Power = Force x Velocity.
As we age, we lose the ability to move fast (Velocity) more quickly than we lose strength (Force).
Thus, strength training should be your first priority when it comes to your fitness.
Improve your mobility and flexibility
When it comes to golf fitness, mobility and flexibility are the areas most golfers turn to first.
I get it… everyone wants a bigger golf swing, as that gives you the potential to hit it further.
However, it is more difficult to improve these areas compared to getting stronger.
And, remember the formula above… even if you do improve your range of motion a bit, it still becomes more difficult over time to move fast without speed training.
The fastest way to lower your scores
You’ve probably heard this a million times. The fastest way to lower your scores is to work on your putting and short game.
You know it, I know it, so why aren’t you doing it?
You should literally spend 50% of your practice time, or more, working on your putting and short game.
And, if it is cold in the Winter where you live, there is still no excuse to not work on your putting. Just give it ten minutes a day and it will pay dividends when golf season rolls around.
Once the season does arrive, get started FIRST on your short game.
If you haven’t played a round of golf in a few months, you will be rusty in this area.
Spend a couple practice sessions working on chip shots and pitch shots around the green. It will actually help you get a feel for good contact on the club face, and that will help when you head to the range.
Get a video of your swing
For me, the light bulb moment was seeing my swing on video and having it analyzed by Hank Haney in front of fifty other instructors.
Hank Haney working on my back swing
This happened in 2009 when I traveled to Texas to attend Hank’s annual teaching seminar.
Hank chose my swing video to demonstrate how to correct the stuck position in the down swing that Tiger struggled with from time to time.
The stuck position means I am attacking the ball from too far inside. That causes blocks and hooks.
I had some other minor issues to deal with as well, but I learned I had some strengths as well.
Most instructors you video in their instruction now.
You really only need to get your swing analyzed once, then you can just do it yourself after that.
When you combine the understanding of your own swing with the knowledge of the golf swing fundamentals, you’ll have more ability to know what to work on when you head to the range.
Play as much golf as possible
Don’t become obsessed with practice if you don’t have unlimited time to play golf.
The best way to learn how to score is to play as much golf as possible.
This helps you figure out how to play different shots that you normally will not practice on the driving range.
I’ll confess to having become a “Ranger Rick” back in the day.
Back when I was teaching somewhat regularly, I hit a lot of balls on the range.
I remember heading out to the course one day where I had been a member, and had a dreadful round.
That course is pretty hilly, and I was simply not used to playing on uneven lies. It really threw off my timing. In fact, it was pretty embarrassing, since I was playing with a student.
Therefore, if you only have a couple hours each week, at least get out and play nine. It’s more fun!
Keep track of your stats
When you do go out and play, keep track of some important stats.
No, not fairways hit, greens in regulation or number of putts.
Keep track of your misses.
If you missed a fairway, did you miss it left of right? What was the direction of the wind? What club did you hit?
If you miss a green, did you miss it short, long, left or right? Again, what was the direction of the wind, what club did you hit, and how was your contact with the ball (fat, thin, heel or toe)?
What is the length of your first putt? If you missed, did you miss short or long, left or right? What was the break? Was it uphill or downhill?
Keep track of as much of this data as possible. Over the course of a few rounds, some tendencies will become apparent. Then, you will know what to work on.
Plan your practice and be focused
Working on the set up
If you plan on heading to the range or practice green, have a plan.
Know what you intend to work on when you head to the range or practice green.
If you are heading to the range, what is the critical error you are trying to work on? How do you intend to try and fix that error?
The same goes for putting and short game shots. Know what you’ve been struggling with on the course, and try to fix that problem.
Test yourself when you are practicing on at least one type of shot each session.
For instance, say you are working on hitting an 8-iron to a 150 yard target.
Keep track of 20 shots to that target. Pay attention to whether the shot starts on the intended line, and where it lands in relation to the target.
If you are working on a short game shot, mark out a circle around the hole. Hit ten shots and keep score of how many end up in the circle.
Now, hit ten more and try to beat your previous score.
Mindlessly hitting balls, chips and putts is an ineffective way to practice.
Learn how to be more focused, and hold yourself accountable.
Final Thoughts
Right now, figure out your strengths and weaknesses, and make your current weaknesses a priority.
If you are over 40, make strength training an immediate priority and figure out how to keep it a priority in your life. Remember, if you aren’t getting stronger, you are getting weaker.
Lastly, if your game isn’t improving, it’s getting worse.
Unfortunately, this will be the case past a certain age, as Father Time erodes our abilities.
The goal is to make that erosion process as slow as possible.
If you are looking for coaching to help you achieve your goals, check out my coaching options.
Now, get to work!
