If I had the guaranteed answer on how to shoot lower golf scores, I would share it in a heart beat. I would ensure that all my readers could share in my wisdom and shoot lower golf scores themselves. As every golf can attest, we all have our own views on what will work and what will not. Through trial and error, I have found ways to lower my scores over the years and most of them center around one area with smatterings of success in others. Now, I focus most of my efforts on this area and continue to garner small incremental gains that lower my golf scores.
Well, that is the end of my article. Hate to keep you hanging, but I got to go and polish my golf clubs.
Okay, my mind was on fire and of course I will share with you my process.
It actually is very simple. Practice your short game. That is it, practice your short game. I diligently worked on my chipping and putting for years. That is my big secret process. Work from the pin out and work on it often.
I know I am repeating myself, but I cannot stress the importance of successfully get up and down more often than not. Last year, my approach shots actually sucked. My GIR was less than 50%. So that means every second hole I had chip and putt for par. With a 4.72 shots over par (on average) per round, I rely on my short game a great deal. Fortunately, I practiced this aspect of my game for years and as a result, I was able to have a high save rate and lower golf scores.
So my process to lower golf scores is very simple. Practice your short game. I no more words of wisdom to pass on this matter. Thoughts?
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
As others have mentioned, short game practice and putting are by far the most important. Improvements in these areas will have the greatest impact on scores and confidence. A good short game takes pressure off other aspects of the game.
I would also add that never use range balls for short game or putting practice. They are like rocks and distance control only comes when you practice with balls that you play with on the course. It is another reason why I always play the same ball.
If you struggle with your short game, a good lesson is a good investment.
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Lorne,
Great point about not using range balls to practice chipping and putting. I always chip and putt with the balls I plan to use during that round. It does make a difference and helps develop the ‘feel’ all golfers need. Thanks for the great point.
Cheers Jim
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Jim, from the standpoint of the seasoned or advanced player, I completely agree – short game saves strokes. For the beginner or novice, there are two schools of thought. The more popular is to learn the full swing first. I’d say, adopted by 90+% of the golfing world and is how I learned. I’m trying to imagine what it would be like trying to save strokes by learning to chip and pitch before mastering grip, aim, and setup for full swing. Might be really difficult because the short game is a mini set of full game movements.
Golf is unique because putting and short game are games within the game. No other sport has this to the same extent. In baseball, you hit, field, and throw. In basketball, you dribble, shoot, pass, defend. All macro level activities.
Do you know anyone personally who learned the game backward?
Thanks,
Brian
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Brian,
Your point is well taken. However, when we first started playing, the core fundamentals of swinging a golf club were always key. We need to swing a club to get to the green first. This process, in my opinion, never stops.
Having said that, the number of strokes a 100+ player wastes around the green borders on the insane. It is not uncommon to watch beginners hit the ball 7 or 8 times from within 25 yards. So, my suggestion is to focus on where we waste the most shots.
Of course there is a happy medium between the macro and micro skills, but even when first learning how to play, the short game should garner 50% of the practice time (more as we become better players).
This is a very interesting conversation and I guess an offshoot of it will be: When is a good time to transition to more micro skills verses macro skills? I am not sure I have an answer to this. How about you?
Love the discussion. Cheers Jim
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Jim, I would guess you introduce short game once the beginner can advance the ball 100-150 yards with a full swing of some sort. For the rank beginner (zero experience) they don’t care about score. More likely, they don’t want to be embarrassed and would like to get the ball airborne. At this stage, short game is too early.
My wife had a friend with zero experience and asked me for some help because her company was going to TopGolf for an outing and she didn’t want to be embarrassed. I gave here two lessons on full swing and then we did some putting. Seemed about right.
Thanks,
Brian.
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Brian,
Sounds about right for sure!
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Here ya go. This is my golf mantra.
1. Practice your short game.
2. See number 1 and add more time putting
3. Practice patience. ( a personal demon )
And while on the course:
4. Be target oriented. Pick one for every swing including while adhering to number 1.
5. Think. But do it before you swing, not while you’re swinging. While your swinging, see number 4.
And some thoughts from my experiences playing:
1. I’ve never spun one back into the hole and had only a very few that even came close but I’ve run dozens up into the hole over the years from as far away as 234 yards now.
2. I’m most accurate with an 80% swing.
3. There are more strokes to be saved in our rounds with our putters than any other club.
4. And of course the always pertinent, play YOUR game.
Oh, and one last VERY important thing. If you live in the south, you can play all year. Sorry Jim, but it just had to be said. 😎
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Kevin,
This is a great list. Do you mind if I turn it into a post. There is a great deal of info here. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers Jim
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Not at all. You’re welcome to use it.
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