Tips to Suck Less at Golf from Golf Digest
Get a Good Start on the First Tee - The purpose of that first swing is to hit your ball where you can find it and hit it again. Have a plan to make that shot as easy as possible. Get to the course early enough to avoid rushing. Choose a club you can rely on.
Pick the Right Club - Choose driver for tee shots with very little risk. "Gear down" on club selection (3W, 5W, Hybrid) to shake off bad shots.
Use Your Handicap - If you are a "bogey golfer", approach a Par 4 as a "Par 5" to keep your expectations in check. Just make a few real pars and you are playing better than your handicap.
Play Your First Ball Like It's Your Second - How often is your "mulligan second shot" a perfect 10 as compared to your first shot hit under much pressure and expectation? Be player "B" with little tension, little expectations, just free swings and better results.
Take the Easy Shots - When you’re too far out to reach a green, don’t make the mindless
mistake of grabbing a fairway wood and trying to jump all over it. Instead, hit a short iron and
then another short iron to cover the same distance as crushing the fairway wood
and finessing the wedge. You’ll replace two white-knuckle shots with two comfortable
ones.
Play For the Long Ball - On shots to the green, rather than shooting to the flag, get the yardage to the back fringe and make that your number. Take that extra club and hit your "average" shot.
Mentally Move the Flag - A risky pin placement means more challenge and tension. Avoid trouble around the green (bunkers and water) and aim for part of the green that favors your typical shot shape.
Greenside Bunkers - Nothing here but just learn how to get out of these. Take a full backswing and a firm-wristed thump at the bottom. You can’t wuss out; you need a brisk splash that
propels sand all the way to the green. Easier said than done?
Don't Blame Your Short Game - If you suck at bunkers, take more club or aim away from them. And remember, only 50% of 5 foot putts are made. Don't get pissed off at missed chips and puts; be realistic and you'll reduce tension and play better golf.
Don't Get Too Cute - You see it on TV. Over a bunker, land it soft, spin it back, stop it fast. For this delicate shot, aim for the top of the flagstick. Better to have a 20 foot putt back to the pin than trying to recover from a bunker shot you just dumped your flop shot in.
Play the Foolproof Shot - Greenside shots are all about getting the distance right. The putter should be your first choice around the green because it’s easier to hit a putt solid than anything else. Consider putting with a hybrid or chipping with a mid lofted iron. A high pitch or a lob shot should be your last options only if you have more rough to negotiate. Your intent should be to use as little loft—and as simple a swing—as possible.
Don't Worry, Be Happy, Play No Stress Golf - Feelings of pride can make you do dumbass things. Think about
the emotions you feel when you’re playing well. Grab onto those, and get in a state where you can play
happy. Forget the old image of the head-down, grinding golfer—does that
sound like fun? Feel better, play better. No Stress!
