Believe it or not, there is an easy way to lower you golf score. No, it is not with an eraser as Arnold Palmer would quip. It is through three basic approaches to golf that I have learned over the years. As we go through the process of lowering our golf score, it actually coincides with how good of a golfer you are on a daily bases. Yes, golf is about shooting lower scores, but it is also about consistently shooting a number your game can regularly sustain. This is the real rub of the green. By understanding that over time shooting consistent golf is the best approach to lowering your golf score. This is the root of my three approaches to lower golf scores.

The first step or approach is too know the yardages of your clubs. This seems a bit strange, but understanding how far you hit each club will greatly improve your club selection on all shots. Most amateurs inflate their distances for clubs and use the longest hit they every hit with each club. Each of us can it a great shot from time to time, but that is not a consistent distance to use for club selection. I normally hit my 7 iron 150 yards, give or take a few yards on any given day. I have hit it 175 yards a few times, however that is not my normal distance. Therefore, when determining you distances for each club, it is the average distance I use. I will restate: most amateurs over inflate their average distances with every club – don’t be one of those players.

My second approach is to focus most of my practice time chipping and putting. Over half of our strokes are gained within 20 yards of the green. Actually, MyGolfSpy data suggests that approximately 65% of a player’s total shots (including putts) come from 100 yards and in, which includes “scoring” wedge shots and green-side chips. If this is the case and I believe it is, then all golfers should hone their shots starting with putting, then short game shots, and then approach shots from within 100 yards. The data drives all players in this direction, so get on the bus and shift your focus to your short game if you want to lower you golf scores.

Lastly, manage your expectations. I am not suggesting you do not focus your efforts to improving your game, but how many of you can actually hit a 280 yard drive consistently. Hit the green on approach shots more that 50% of the time. Or never three putt. I would suggest most golfers cannot achieve those amazing stats. My best games ever include a 50% GIR and total putts under 24. And I was still only a few strokes under par. Developing a consistent game and then deep diving on specific skills is the the key. Manage your expectations about hitting hero shots all the time. It is just not possible. Professional golfers achieve amazing stats through developing a consistent base game and honing their skills. They have expectations that match or go slightly higher than their skill level in order to become better golfers. Manage your expectations and nibble away at your golf scores.

There you have it. My three processes for lower golf scores are knowing your distances for each club, commit most of your practice time to shots within 100 yards of the green (putting for sure) and manage your expectations. They are simple approaches that require a bit of effort. Golf is not a game where you are automatically a good player. It does take effort and time. However, if you put in the time and effort fun things will happen.

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