Practice is important to lower golf scores.

Our golf score is really the bench mark for how well we perform on the course. Naturally, that score is a bit deceiving from time to time, but overall it is what golfers talk about after their round. The first question at the 19th hole is “What did you shoot?” Of course most golfers downplay they score and explain that they left at least 3 strokes on the course. Now, fast forward a week and the same conversation is occurring between the same players, with the same results. Now is that not the definition of insanity? 

Most golfers do very little off the course to lower their golf score. Their lack of effort outside of a round of golf can occur for many reasons; regardless of what they are, they stick to playing as their method to improve their golf score. I could go into a diatribe about why that is a bad idea and that nothing in their game will likely change, but the decision was already made. All they want to do is golf!

I cannot point fingers at their process because I like to play golf more than practice as well. However, for my game, if I do not practice, I can only hope to lower my golf score. Yes, over the year m score will lower slightly, but it does not have the dramatic effect I am looking for; so hope is not a process I use as the cornerstone for lowering my golf score.

Daily, I read articles that guarantee to lower your golf score by 3 to 5 strokes. I think to myself that this is fantastic. I must read this article. Then I realize that these articles are not for me, they are for the players who what a quick fix in the hopes of lower their score. There is no way I can drop my handicap index (currently at 4.1) by 3 to 5 points through a quick fix!

Like all athletes, the better your game becomes, the more difficult it is to get better. On most days, the best we can hope for is to shoot to handicap or better it by a stroke or two. This reality is accepted by lower handicap players and as such, we have to work at our game outside of the course if we want to improve. It is the fact of life for all athletes.

I am not suggesting that anyone has to change their approach to golf. I do, however, imply that hoping is not a methodology for lower golf scores that will garner any substantive results. Ultimately, if you are happy with the way your game goes, then continue on. If not, maybe it is time for a change in the hopes of lower your golf score!

I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!

Written by Jim Burton from The Grateful Golfer blog.