Becoming a touring pro takes years of practice. However, it’s not impossible. Even Tiger Woods started off as an amateur. He eventually grew in skill to become one of the best golf players ever in modern history. It took a lot of practice for him under the tutelage of his father and several mentors. If he was able to do it, so can you.
All you need to do is to take the first step, and you bring yourself closer to being a pro golfer. The saying tells you that “practice makes perfect.” However, you need to not just practice, but also practice smart. Here are five tips that could help you maximize your learning curve and be a pro golfer in no time. Choose the best golf polos that suit your comfort level and personal style.
Tip # 1- Identify Your Weak and Strong Points
Pro golfers have well-rounded skills. This means that they have worked to both enhance their weaknesses and reinforce their strengths. As a beginner, you should notice that you learn some skills in golf fast while you are slow in others.
For instance, you may be a natural in short-distance putting but frequently fade or slice your long-distance launches. Your putting is your strength, but your long-distance swings are your weaknesses. With this knowledge, you can allocate time working on each and achieve a balance. Spend more time with your weaknesses, and add enough time to retain muscle memory on your strengths.
You can only spend so much time on the golf course. You’ll need to wise that time wisely. You should plan your practice sessions by identifying which areas you want to allocate time more. You’ll cover a lot more ground with your skills even with the limited time available to you.
Tip #2 – Know Your Clubs
Clubs are central to your golf experience. Pro golfers can have as many as five clubs in their bag, or even more, when they show up for a game. That is because each club has different capabilities and applications. You will need to master handling these clubs so you can perform positively in every situation.
Each club also has its own specifications, like its length, clubface width, and others. All of these attributes affect player performance. For instance, forged irons are heavier than fairway woods. They require more skill in swinging to achieve that perfect impact and launch. Club length also affects your performance on the downswing; most beginners make mistakes with longer clubs and explode the turf.
Check out this golf club length chart for more information on how long each club type actually is.
Tip #3 – Dress the Part
You may not believe it, but aesthetics is everything for a pro-golfer. Golfers are gentlemen, and they always look the part. Every golfer needs to come to the golf course looking immaculate and sharp.
There’s a dress code in golf. This code calls for trousers or shorts and collared shirts for men and women. Baseball caps are also necessary to protect everyone’s eyes from the glare of the sun. There are also specific shoes required both for aesthetics and the safety of the players while walking around the course.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to invest in premium socks! Premium socks help you maintain your balance not only while walking but also during your swing. Maintaining the perfect balance is key to the perfect launch. These socks help prevent loss of footing and wobbling, both of which can affect the outcome of your shot.
Tip #4 – Aim for Consistency in Pre-shot Routines
Golf is a game of finesse, and rarely of brute strength. It requires a practical knowledge of physics and geometry. You would need to effectively visualize where you want to send your ball flying before you take the shot. This means that golf is also a mental game, and mental games require concentration.
Being a pro golfer requires even more concentration than the casual player needs. There’s a lot of pressure when competing. Despite all that, you would have to maintain concentration at address and until the ball is up and flying. Your pre-shot routine is vital to keeping your mind fixed on the goal and driving the distractions away.
The pre-shot routine is a set of movements players make before they address the ball. Some golfers would stretch and rotate their arms. Others will just take a few deep breaths. Some players would do a combination of both. The pre-shot routine helps you remove all tension both from the mind and the muscles.
It’s important to stick to a specific pre-shot routine. Consistency helps in muscle memory as well. The moment you do your pre-shot routine, your body and mind automatically relax. This is possible through consistent observance and practice.
Tip #5 – Learn When to Take It Easy
Golf pros know what their limitations are and how they want to work them. However, they also know when to sit back and take it easy.
Taking it easy does not mean you should procrastinate and put off practice for a long time. It simply means knowing when you’re practicing too hard and needing a rest. Like all sports, golf is very physical. Pushing yourself too much can lead to all sorts of injuries. You could sprain your wrists, overexert your shoulders or break your elbow.
Injuries will break your game. They’ll put you out of play for several weeks. If you’re competing, injuries may take you out of the competition for the year.
By following these tips above, you’ll get close to being a pro golfer with every hour you spend at the practice range. Nobody becomes an expert overnight, but consistent and diligent practice results in gradual improvement. Keep your eyes on the goal, and you’ll see your handicap go down to single digits in no time.
