What is your #1 golf tip for golf improvement

[pshizz]

Lighten up. That was only semi-serious. But don't tell me that you are going to get all excited about a tip from a 36 handicapper? Or even from an 11 like me? I might just be lying.

hey man, what works for a 36 can work for a 6. handicap shouldn't be a factor in this.

[Guest]

I wouldn't say there is a #1 tip for golf improvement. Really, it's all about how long you have been playing (I'm assuming you are rather new to the game). Furthermore, everyone is different and requires different tips. For instance, if you are very athletic and hitting the ball a mile is no problem for you, I would suggest practicing consistent ball striking. I don't think form is as important as ball striking, nor do I think you shouldn't swing hard. The adage "don't swing hard" is boloney. You can swing as hard as you want, as long as you hit the ball square and stay on balance. Tempo is VERY important in this game. You should find your rhythm early and often, and this will make you a good ball striker. My key is a slow takeaway in my backswing. If I bring it back slowly, I'm smooth the whole way through. I swing 115 mph but I have a smooth tempo. Flexibility is key in hitting the ball far, but length is not as important as chipping/putting and consistency. Get your short game down, build from the small swing to the big swing, and enjoy the best game on the planet. You'll get hooked and end up spending tens of thousands... but what the hell -- you will not regret a minute of your time spent or your money blown. Cheers.

[Jay-Bird]

focus on what you're doing, not how you're doing.

[ks8829]

I have 10 #1s

1) practice from the hole back to lower your score
2) practice chipping and your full swing will get better
3) practice chipping with a 3 iron and once you figure out how to hit it solid each time with the proper take away, this will help improve your full swing
4) shorten your backswing and hit solid contact and make more birdies
5) keep your left arm straight
6) Put with the reverse grip or left hand low
7) keep your putter low to the ground on your backswing and you will make more short putts
8) work on your distance control with your putter
9) Don't be afraid of blades, they are easier to hit then you think and will improve your game
10) play with golfers that are better than you are and you will see your score drop

[PEZGolf]

What is your #1 golf tip you give out to friends (anyone really) to help them improve their game?

Practice, practice, practice: 1. Work on rhythm 2. 60% of your practice time on the short game For every hour on the golf course, practice an equal amount. Practice every day, even if it means simply swinging a golf club or weighted golf club in the backyard, working on rhythm.

[paperclip]

To me, it's simple: whatever area you are practicing on, practice the right things the right way. Take your time, don't rush, work on rhythm.

[RemyM]

You're all wrong.
The #1 tip is:
GO TAKE LESSONS

[beisenhauer]

Hit the shot you know you can hit, not the one you think you ought to be able to hit.

[Elvisliveson]

My #1 tip is...Hold the club in your fingers, not in your hands and palms.

The grip should be the starting point for all golfers and most amateurs do it wrong at least to some degree. There is only one way correct way to grip the club, in the fingers like you stated, with the pressure being applied by the last 3 fingers of the left hand and the middle two of the right (for righties). This is the only proper way to do it. When you hear people talk about variations to the grip (interlocking, overlapping or baseball)they are only referring to where right pinkie finger resides.

[PiKapp23]

You're all wrong.

I couldn't agree more.

I'll add this "Get properly fit for equipment". I just wish players would check their ego when buying equipment and accept they they need a regular or senior flex instead of stiff or a super game inprovement iron instead of a players blade. Not to mention players that refuse to accept a 2 iron will usually perform better for most 36 handicappers than 2 iron. "It's the indian not the arrow", but why mess with the arrow when you get get a gun which is easier and more accurate in most hands?

[ChiChiIsMe]

Practice.

[tjy355]

What is your #1 golf tip you give out to friends (anyone really) to help them improve their game?

Don't take tips from other hackers. Especially anonymous internet hackers!

[Ben]

Physical: Left hip starts the down swing
Mental: Don't say "don't." Focus on what your shot calls for, not on what to avoid.

[Stacey_E]

Mental: Don't say "don't." Focus on what your shot calls for, not on what to avoid.

Sounds like something Harvey Pennick would say.

[jonanthans]

2 tips tie for #1 with me.

Advice as given to me personally from a local PGA player, when I started 5 years ago:

"Lessons first, from a PGA Certified Teaching Professional, then get professionally fitted for your clubs from a reputable company/individual, preferably one recommended by the Pro you take lessons from. The money you spend up front will pay off huge dividends over the life of your golfing game. The two most important things to have is the knowledge of how to execute the shots, and the equipment that is tailor made for you that make those shots possible." Brian Bateman, PGA Tour player.

The biggest improvement I realized in my game was when I got fitted for my clubs and started playing with them. Before, I was hitting off-the-rack irons(standard loft/lie), and could develop no consistency. After being fitted, and ordering my clubs, the difference was amazing. Considering my correct iron setup is 3* upright, it's no wonder I could never get consistent results with a standard set of clubs, I was fighting my own natural swing.

IMO, These are the 2 steps that anyone looking to improve their game should implement.

[DrivingRangeJunkie]

Watch golf channel, try your best to swing like your favorite pro.

[Ben]

Sounds like something Harvey Pennick would say.

Really? Somehow I've yet to have read his Little Red Book. And I have three copies of it...

[Awsi Dooger]

I'll mention one everyone has avoided, or wants to deny:

* Get in shape; strength and flexibility. Bad bodies promote bad swing tendencies in amateurs.