Now that we are just past the halfway point of Winter, because that damn oversized squirrel predicted another six weeks, it’s time to get thinking about how to improve your golf game this coming season.
The first thing most golfers do as the season approaches is take the opportunity to head to the driving range on the first warmish day to get those golf juices flowing again.
Inevitably, they work their way up through the bag, and start smashing drivers. Chances are, if they are over 40, they may pull a muscle or two in the process, which sets them back another couple weeks.
But, I digress.
It IS possible to make substantial improvements to your golf game in one season. The key is that you need a plan of action.
In order to have a plan of action, you need to know what skills are required to become a really good golfer, and where you are lacking.
So, in no particular order, here are the basic skills you need to become a scratch golfer.
Hit the driver 250 yards or more (215 for the ladies)
The average tour pro this year hits it 296 yards off the tee. They need that length to conquer golf courses that start at a minimum length of about 7,200 yards.
Most golfers don’t play courses of that length, even in competition. The typical course length most golfers play will be under 7,000 yards from the back tees.
Therefore, to be able to shoot scores under par in competition (my definition of a true scratch golfer is one that can do this), you really only need to drive it 250 yards. Of course, you need to drive it relatively straight as well.
The longer you can hit it, the greater the potential you have for becoming a scratch golfer.
Average 31 putts or less per round
The typical tour pro averages about 28 to 29 putts per round. Keep in mind, even if you are one inch off the green and you are using your putter, that does not count as an official putt.
Anyhow, putting is what really separates the tour pros from the really good amateurs. And, putting is what separates the really good amateurs from the other single digit handicappers.
In order to average 31 putts or less per round, you’ve got to have at least five one-putts per round, assuming you have not 3-putts or worse.
Therefore, you first need to eliminate those three putts by improving your lag putting skills, and then you need to develop supreme confidence over those short putts inside six feet.
Hit an average of 10 greens in regulation
The average tour pro hits about 12 greens in regulation per round, or about 67%. The very best will be at closer to 70%.
The typical scratch golfer will be a bit more wayward with their irons, but they will still average over 50% greens in regulation.
There are a couple ways to achieve this…
- hit it further off the tee so that you have less club into the green
- hit more fairways
- or both.
This assumes that you have better than average skills with the irons as well.
Ultimately, golf is far easier to play from the fairway, than from the rough, trees and bunkers. But, it is also alot easier to play if you can hit wedge into every par 4.
Short game skills – get up and down 50% of the time
Most golfers have dreadful short game skills. This is mainly because most golfers just don’t practice their short game… they find it more fun to hit drivers.
The short game is another area where the tour pros really separate themselves from the good amateur golfers.
Check out this shot by Brooks Koepka in last week’s Waste Management tournament in Scottsdale.
It takes phenomenal skill to pull a shot like that off under pressure.
Meanwhile, the typical golfer will lay the sod over the ball on a shot like that.
Plan your practice
Ok, now that you know what skills you need to develop, you need to develop your practice plan.
First of all, what is the weakest part of your game?
If you are my size, about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, and you can’t hit a driver 250 yards, then that is a sign that you need to make improvements to your golf swing.
At the same time, if you average 40 putts per round, perhaps your putting is your weak link.
With all that said, you need to conduct a self-evaluation, and then develop a plan to improve your game, with most time first devoted to Putting, and then the weakest part of your game.
Putting should be the priority no matter what, since about 40% of your strokes will be played on the greens.
For most golfers, putting is where they can begin to lower their scores the most, and most quickly.
After putting, most people can’t drive the ball 250 yards (225 for the ladies), and that is because they have a significantly flawed golf swing.
With the equipment we have these days, there is really no excuse for being a short knocker.
And, I should add, fitness has nothing do to with it. I’ve seen pretty strong men who could barely crack an egg with their drivers because their swings sucked.
But, this doesn’t mean you try to improve your swing with the driver. You are going to need to build it from the wedge on up the driver.
Learn to hit solid wedge shots, short irons and long irons, and that will carry over into the driver.
So now you should have a solid understanding of what skills you need to become scratch golfer, or at least to break 80. Now is the time to get started on your plan for improvement.
If you are struggling to become a better golfer, I have put together an Ebook that will help you on your path. Check it out on my EBooks page.
Thanks for reading!
