Golf is a relaxing pastime for many. However, for others, it is an extremely competitive sport. Regardless of how you perceive golf, you may find that you are not particularly good at it, especially if you are a beginner. You’d also be surprised by the number of people who still struggle to perfect their swings, even after playing golf for years! If you are tired of your friends’ beating you in every game, then it might be time to look into some strategies to improve your golf skills. Check out our following guide to become a pro golfer in no time!
1. Visit an Ophthalmologist
You may think that your vision is perfect, and while it might be perfectly adequate for everyday tasks, golf demands much accuracy. If you can never seem to hit the ball or always miscalculate the distance between your position and the next hole, you should certainly pay your ophthalmologist a visit. According to recent statistics, 14 million Americans who are 18 or older suffer from at least one form of vision impairment. While near-sightedness is not a serious condition by any means, it may still be affecting your skills as a golfer. In this case, wearing prescription glasses or contact lenses can make all the difference.
2. Pick the Right Club
When it comes to golf equipment, there is no tool more important than your trusty club. This is why you need to ensure that you are choosing the right model when shopping for one. You can choose from hybrids, putters, irons, drivers, and wedges. However, if you are a beginner, you should go for irons to help improve your game since they tend to be more forgiving than other clubs. Your height also determines the length of the club you should get. Tall players should buy over-length clubs while short people should stick to clubs that are shorter than the standard length.
3. Buy a Rangefinder
Even if you have the perfect vision, you may still be struggling to calculate the distance between you and the nearest hole. Luckily, you can do this easily with a rangefinder. When choosing a laser rangefinder, pick one that has a 7x magnification capability for crisper focus. Moreover, be wary of the materials the model you have in mind is made of. Durable rangefinders are made of multiple layers of protective materials to fend off the impact of extreme weather.
4. Improve Your Form
Your form factors in how skilled you are as a golfer. To guarantee that you have the perfect posture, your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Next, make sure that your elbow touches your hip to avoid twisting your arm in a way that makes the ball fly off-course, and raise the club to your shoulder. Finally, maintain a relaxed posture and avoid tensing up when hitting the ball. This can be achieved by breathing deeply.
5. Practice More
Buying the best equipment on the market will not compensate for your lack of practice. While practicing can be indeed time-consuming, it is generally the most guaranteed way of improving as a golfer. If you have a large enough budget, you can hire an instructor. Yet, if this proves too expensive, you can always watch instructional YouTube videos. No matter what option you choose, we recommend purchasing a putting green. This way, you can practice at home whenever you find some free time.
6. Control Your Swings
Some golfers believe that hitting the ball as hard as they can is the key to achieving great distances. However, this could not be further from the truth. Instead, you should keep your swings under control by focusing on the middle of the ball. This technique will provide you with more accuracy, which is always preferable to increasing the power behind your swings.
7. Choose High-Quality Balls
Many golf enthusiasts think that the balls they use have no bearing on the accuracy of their swings. This is not true at all, though. As a beginner, you should opt for balls that have more than one layer. The more layers a ball has, the better it performs when it comes to long-distance swings. Moreover, balls that are not too firm are suitable for beginners since they are easier to control.
Becoming a pro golfer is not easy; it requires plenty of practice and patience. However, by choosing the right gear and trying some of our previous techniques, you can cut the effort you need to hone your skills in half. Staying motivated is also a big part of your journey, so don’t take it too seriously if you lose a few games!