Tips to Improve Consistency in Your #Golf Game

I recently came across a Golf Digest post, "2017 New Year's resolutions for five of golf's brightest stars", from Dustin Johnson to Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth. These resolutions were not made by the golfer but more of a cynical look at what these pros will have to do to maintain their status on the PGA Tour.

The blog noted that DJ will have to be "more consistent on Saturdays and Sundays." After this week's year-opening SBS Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Resort. a sixth place finish for Dustin Johnson shows that he is on track for another great year.

Consistency is something that professional golfers need durig four rounds each week; for the average golfer, we only have to keep it together for eighteen holes, maybe once per week.

How do you stay consistent during eighteen holes of golf? Consistency is meant for all areas of your golf game, from consistent ball contact to a more consistent golf swing. Playing with consistency throughout your round...dependably, reliably...is probably the most important fundamental in golf.

Here are a few tips to help you gain consistency from tee to green in 2017:

1. Stretching and Fitness: You can't get around it; you have to be fit for golf. Walking eighteen holes is a terrific way to stay in shape but you have to be able to do it without feeling tired or the walk will sap your energy and cause you to swing erratically.

Stretching just five minutes before a round of golf should be mandatory; your muscles will loosen up, your breathing will improve and you be prepared to swing the club with ease.

Exercising the correct muscles will help you gain a repeatable golf swing. Here are a few targeted golf exercises to help your upper body get fit for the new season.

2. Shorten your backswing: Chances are you believe your golf club is parallel to the ground in your backswing but you are probably over-swinging ...most amateurs resemble John Daly and don't even realize it!

Next time you are on the driving range, have someone record your swing. If the swing is too long, it's more difficult to get the club back to the ball, arms may not stay together, rotation gets out of whack.

Snyper @ Oobgolf.com compares golf to tech, "The more things that move, the more things that can break." Well said; the more moving parts, the more chances your arms, elbowsand shoulders will not stay connected. Take the club back seventy percent and also slow down the speed of your backswing, which leads me to the next tip on gaining consistency for the golf season.

3. Tempo: Research by John Novosel has proven that "the backswing takes three times as long as the downswing." Another way to improve your tempo and consistency?

Rob Akins in Golf Digest article suggests three-word golf swing takeaways with one word at impact...FINISH. These great sayings, like "low and slow" for driving consistency, work in the subconscious mind to improve your tempo, stop you from hitting fat or thin and improve the overall reliability of your golf swing.

4. Routine: Having a pre-shot routine will stop you from thinking too much about where to place the ball, where to stand, etc., and you will, instead, spend your time visualizing where you want the golf ball to go.

Know what happens when you feel confident? Your score, and handicap, begin to drop and you can't wait to get out onto the first tee with your mates and your reliable insert golf phrase here (...golf game, golf swing, putting)!


Share some tips that you use to improve consistency in the comments section of our golf blog below and on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

photo: wikimedia

How to Choose Your New Year's Golf Equipment

Rory McIlroy has decided not to commit to a golf equipment company for the 2017 golf season. The freedom to "have a little look around" is easy to do if you are one of the top golfers in the world but, how do you decide which golf clubs are right for you if you are an amateur player itching for a new adjustable driver, wedge or putter?

Testing golf clubs to find the one that suits you can be an ordeal; professionals live in an entirely different world as golf clubs are mixed, matched and custom-fitted for each players' swing from changing lofts on clubheads to switching out top-of-the-line shafts for their swing speeds.

No endorsements for the average player means we have to take a different route to get to the right clubs for our golf game!

How does the average consumer choose the best golf clubs for his or her amateur status? Here are a few tips compiled by Golf for Beginners to get you off to a good start so that you are game ready for the new year!

1. Demo Days: It is always a good idea to try golf clubs before you hone in on a brand you are comfortable with; demo days at your local driving range and/or course allow you to hit different clubs in a compatible setting. Pick up several different brands and experiment with loft, clubheads and more - a blade might feel better at point of impact than a hybrid.

1. Custom Club Fitting: No matter which golf club you decide upon, you need to be properly measured before leaving the store with that brand new Callaway driver or set of Ping irons.

One size does NOT fit all! Get measured for:

a.  Lie
b.  Length
c.  Swing speed (flex of the shaft).

2. Grip it...then rip it! Grip size and comfort is as important as the golf club you are swinging so make sure it fits just right in your hands.

3. Golf Ball - just as important as the club. Do you need more distance? Do you need more feel and want a softer impact? Don't forget to get fitted to the correct golf ball for your swing speed.

4. Shoes are part of your equipment! Where you may think that all you need is the right golf club, whether or not you walk nine or eighteen holes, the shoes make all the difference so make comfort your top priority.

a. Size Does Matter! Footjoy states that "more than 70% of people are wearing the wrong size." Too narrow or too wide and your feet could be swimming or crumbled up for four hours (or more) of torture forcing you to concentrate on the wrong part of your game.

What golf tips can you add to this golf blog? Feel free to comment in the section below and tag @Golf4Beginners on Twitter with your tips!



photo: wikipedia