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While golf is full of superstitions and odd rules, when it comes to improving your game most people stick to the core aspects – grip, swing, stance and equipment. And while it might sound simple to improve these, it’s not always the case. People get stuck in one technique or position and find it hard to break the habits of a lifetime of golf. If this is the case, you should try these tips that might sound a little odd at first…
The underarm tuck
If you were watching the WGC-Mexico Championship recently you might have spotted something odd hanging from under Rory McIlroy’s arm when he was practising. The eagle-eyed among you might have seen that it was in fact his glove tucked into his arm pit.
It’s an old favourite to help improve your swing. Simply find something light that can be held fairly easily under your leading arm, like a hat, glove or towel. It works by forcing you to keep this arm tucked into your chest on the backswing, helping the chest to rotate as a whole.
It’ll help keep your body together, and provide more synchronisation in your swing.
Deliberate practice
You may be thinking, ‘as opposed to accidental practice’, but you’d be missing the point of this well-used way of improving your game. It’s not about going out to actively practice or repeating your practice routines more often – it’s about deliberately pushing yourself to try new things.
Firstly, it’s about improving your game. It’s not a general set of routines, but ones that are focused on improving your weak spots. Next, you have to move outside your comfort zone – just a little. Don’t try and get rid of your slice, but try and reduce it. Seek out the worst parts of your game and improve those a little instead of trying to add another 10 yards to your drive or increase your putting accuracy by 5%.
Then repeat – a lot. It helps create a fixed memory of how to play the shot right and removes the memory of you mis-hitting it. And if you need to push it further, get a coach to provide feedback. As we’ve been doing something wrong for so long, it’s hard to know how to change it. A coach can provide this answer.
Focus on the dimple
Where on the ball are you going to hit? Most golfers probably couldn’t say. They know where their hands and feet are, and the arc of the swing, but when it comes down to one of the most important parts – the club actually striking the ball – they’re in the dark.
A good tip is to pick a dimple – just one – and focus on hitting that. It helps give you focus and a target. Once you’ve got the technique down you can also use it to adjust your shot, choosing dimples at various points on the ball to provide spin or draw.
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Getting a grip
We’ve all been told how to hold a putter. But if you’re missing more than you’re sinking, it could be that this standard grip just isn’t working for you. An alternative is double finger grip. By holding the putter as usual but then extending both forefingers down the length of the club, you can give yourself a little more control over your putter.
This has the effect of cancelling out the upward impact of just extending the back finger and provides a cleaner roll of the ball.
Visualisation
A lot of professional sports people use this technique. Which makes many amateurs assume it’s not for them – that this level of focus and clarity of thought can only be achieved by those on the top of their game. But it’s not true.
It’s a fairly simple technique and one that can have a huge impact on your game. Before each shot, close your eyes and imagine playing it. But not as you usually do – picture the perfect shot. With your drives, picture the ball travelling an extra 30 or 40 yards. And don’t just picture the swing, follow the ball through the air and onto the fairway bouncing further than you’ve driven before.
And then go for it – you’ll be surprised with the results.
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