In the past, I have espoused “aim small, miss small”. This mantra is as important today as it was a few years ago. The requirement to hit a wide open fairway often provides a challenge for players because their focal point of aim is the wide open fairway. Many times my playing partners lamented on missing the fairway that was as big as an ocean. The reason for their wayward shots was that they focused on the whole fairway instead of a specific point off in the distance. A simple change to any players setup process will rectify their wild shots off the tee; it truly is very simple.

In my case, I select a very narrow target far down the fairway as my first aim point. Then I draw an imaginary line to my ball and select something three to six feet down my hitting line. Then I remind myself twice what the final target is and swing away. It really is as simple as that.

Using the above image as an example, my small aim points are the two telephone poles. The one on the left is for when the pin is located on the front of the green. The telephone pole to the right is when the pin is on the back tier. When I come to the tee box, I factor in the wind, distance and pin location. Then I select either pole and verbally say out loud: the pole on the right (as the pin is on the back tier). I draw my imaginary line, pick something close to aim at, and adjust my setup accordingly. The last thing I do is look at my aim point, say in my mind the pole on the right (my aim point) and swing away. Most of the time, my ball travels in that direction and lands close to my chosen aim line.

Selecting my aim point is very simple. Going through my set up process is simple. And reminding myself that my aimpoint is small helps me focus on the swing required to accomplish my request. It is important to note that by verbally saying my aim point and then mentally reminding myself is very important to my successful shots. It is like I am programming my brain and body to hit a very small target. It is definitely a benefit to my game. Yes, I do hit wayward shots from time to time like all amateurs, but they are few than before since I adopted this aiming method.

Aim small, miss small is nothing new to golf. It does work for my game and I think it will work for yours.

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