Five tips to improve your golf game!!! INSTANTLY??

I would like to pass on some tips that I have learned over years of playing golf and hopefully they will help knock some strokes off of your game.

1. MIND SET... Don't try to be a hero and know your limitations. Don't go for the 220 yard money shot over the water. 9 times out of 10 you will probably try to hard and hit it in the water, duff it, etc.. Ending up with a double or triple bogey when you could of laid up, pitched on and at worst make bogey. Realize you are not a PGA Tour player and don't expect to shoot a lights out round everytime you play. Most of us get to play once or twice a week if we are lucky, so why would you expect to play well on a consistant basis when we hardly play?? Don't get frustrated when you have a bad shot or a bad string of holes. The score starts to rise a lot when you are pissed off and feel your round is shot due to a couple of bad shots or holes. 85 sounds alot better than 90. Have fun and take the good shots with the bad, thats golf!!

2. PRACTICE... Sure it's much more fun to hit the range and blast the driver or hit 10 perfect 7 irons in a row. Then you hit the course and realize the range is the range and the course is the course. I suggest when you go to the course, or have time to practice, hit the practice green. It's certainly true that the short game is the most important part of the game. When pitching around the green use a low lofted club (6, 7, 8 iron) so you can get the ball rolling on the green quickly. Lofted clubs (SW, LW) have to many variables involved like loft, where to land the ball, spin, and release. Take a 7 iron, use a putting stroke and get it rolling to the hole. Realize to that you are not going to make every putt you look at. PGA Tour Players only make 30% of their 10 foot putts so why would you think you can make more. But they do make 99% 2ft putts, 91% 3ft putts, and 80% of 5 ft putts. How many strokes do you think you waste on 2 to 5 foot putts. More than the 10 foot putts I bet??

3. EQUIPMENT... Modern technology has done wonders for golf and I highly suggest you take advantage of it. Now if you play once or twice a year ignore this. The Battlesticks from K Mart will do you just fine. But, if you are serious about your game I recommend getting some name brand sticks and a golf ball that suits your swing and game. Also, when you get your brand new Callaway clubs I recommend you get fitted. Any local pro or golf retailer can do a good enough job for most amateurs. Stock clubs are not suitable for most players swings and set ups. The right shaft, lie, loft, grip, lenght really does make a difference. Plus if you order the clubs "customized" from the factory they will do all your specs for free.

4. TAKE ONE MORE CLUB... This is probably the biggest mistake made by all amateur golfers. Look at it this way.... Tour pros say they make perfect contact 7 out of 10 times. So what do you think you do?? 3 or 4 out of 10, Maybe if you are lucky?? If you hit a 7 iron 150 yards realize you are determining this by the fact you will hit it flush. 7 out of ten times or more you won't and the ball goes 10 to 15 yards short. This isn't even taking in the the things you can't control; wind, green elevation, temperature, pin location, etc... When you have a 150 yard shot don't pull the 7 pull a 6. Now most think this is two much club and they swing half ass which results in a crap ass swing and a crap ass shot. Hit the six and hit it hard!! Then when you miss hit it those 7 times out of ten then it will fall short of its 160/165 distance (6 iron) and go 150/155 PERFECT!!

5. PLAY FOR SOMETHING... When playing with the gang play for something. Preferably money or dinner or something you really don't want to part with. Sure, it's cool to say LETS PLAY FOR A DRINK! But who really cares if they lose a beer?? Before you tee it up make a bet. Lets say the loser(s) takes the winner(s) to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse for dinner! I know I would play harder and concentrate more if I knew I would be dropping 75 bucks for my bud's dinner if I lost to him. I've played a lot of money macthes and this really does make you better under the gun.

Well, I hope this helps and fell if you follow just some of these tips I know you can drop 4 t0 six strokes off your game. Feel free to ask if you have any questions about your game. I know I'm not a Bitch Harmon but I do know the game and swing!!

Til next time,

Drop It Like It's Hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!