The goal of most golfers is to shoot the lowest score possible when playing. If that is not your goal, then you probably do not keep score and loop the links for the shear joy of being in nature. For those rare individuals, this post is not for you. It is focused all golfers, at any level, who are trying to refine their game to go to the next level. If you are a beginner or a player with a handicap higher than 10, then the three tips presented today will help lower scores without changing your swing.
I have talked about all three of these tips in various posts in the past. They are simple and require slight changes to the way you approach your game. The infographic from Independent Golf Reviews FB page and here is how they describe what you need to do to improve your scores.
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3 Simple Tips to Start Lowering Your Golf Scores Right Away!
Tired of those big numbers sneaking onto your scorecard? These 3 smart strategies will help you play smarter, avoid blow-up holes, and have more fun on the course — without needing to hit perfect shots every time.
Aim for the CENTER of the green
Forget chasing the pin! No matter where the flag is, aim for the middle. It gives you a huge safety buffer and stops those dreaded double bogeys (or worse) from ruining your round. Play the percentages and watch your scores drop!
Prioritize lag putting speed
Stop worrying so much about making every putt. Focus 80% on getting the distance right and just 20% on the line. Slightly over-putting is way better than leaving it short. Try this drill: lag 10 balls from 50 feet and see how many stop inside the 3-foot safety circle. Mastering this can save you up to 5 strokes per round!
Use the bump-and-run around the greens
When you’re near the green, grab your pitching wedge or 9-iron instead of reaching for the lob wedge. A simple bump-and-run with the ball back in your stance and a shallow strike rolls out like a putt — predictable and low-risk. Leave the high, fluffy flop shots for the pros (or when you’re feeling lucky).****
The only recommendation I would make is practice your bump and run with different clubs. I would expand the selection from your 7 iron to your gap wedge. That is something that requires some practice, but will open your options when playing around the green.
Lowering our golf scores is a goal sought by all players. We try different things to gain the advantage, however the three tips provided today are tried and proven to work for most players. If you have not already thought of these areas, i recommend you give it some thought and see what you think.
I am a grateful golfer! See you on the links!
The Grateful Golfer 
I’m really not a fan of some of these generalizations. Not that I think them terrible advice per se, but I just find them too…I don’t know…simplistic I guess. Golf is more nuanced than any generalization can cover.
For instance for some, aiming center green isn’t good enough. A big slicer might need to aim left edge to be safe. And bump and runs are great options. But they aren’t always the best option. I appreciate when I think it is. It’s a pretty easy shot to execute well consistently. But there are pin positions where even from just a foot off the green, the bump and run might cause grief rather than save the day. I’m with you on the lob wedge. It’s not required to be good around the green. Mine can do very, very little than my 56 can’t and what those differences are revolve around bounce numbers, not loft. My advice is be well rounded with your clubs, your tools. Hit the shot with the most chance of success based on your experience not your ego. Your ego lies. ‘
To my way of thinking we have two options when putting. We can putt to ram it into the back of the cup or die it into the hole. Two separate options requiring two separate looks at the greens slopes and grain. If I’m looking at a 3 or 4 footer I might choose to go for the back of the cup to take out turn. If I’m a long way away, I’m always trying to die it in. I’m not thinking 60/40 speed over direction. I’m thinking wholistically. I want the ball in the hole. And I think that has a certain psychological advantage over thinking lag putt.
Sure I don’t want it to go flying by the hole. But that’s not my focus at all. That’s a mental trap in my book. I want it in. And my thoughts are about the ball getting to the hole. The only time that causes me issues is when I read the speed or execute badly.
I had one 3 putt this weekend because I read the speed badly and executed with a bit too much zest. lol Rolled by and right off the green a couple inches about ten feet past the hole. But to be fair to me, it was my first big uphill putt and I’d watched everyone else come up short. Their balls did a lot of bouncing making me believe it was also against the grain so I clobbered it. Oops. And I didn’t play the new irons well at all. Thankfully though the misses weren’t terrible and my wedge play was very good. I shot 76. And I actually putted fewer than the 26 I recorded. The guys gave me 4 or 5 during the day that were inches from the hole. I will say that all the bump and runs I hit worked out nicely. Two of them were gimmees. But I went higher more often. The course has a lot of terrain changes plus raised greens. Lots of shots needed height just to get on the green before rolling out. A couple needed to roll out sideways. Right thankfully. I find that spin the easiest to generate.
Next week we’re on to a harder course. And thankfully, on my back nine today and figured out what was missing in my setup. A simple thing. These new clubs have less offset. First thought was close the face down a bit to help. Wrong. Today I opened the face at setup more like I used to do when I hooked the ball and started immediately seeing/feeling good strikes again. I always go the wrong way first with this game. lol These things sure do feel good when you hit them well.
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Kevin,
Your points are well taken. I would suggest that your game is more mature than the intended audience. One must remember that many players struggle with the three areas mentioned because they do not have the golf knowledge to adopt them. Your views are coming from an area of experience and continued evolution of your game. I appreciate your comment.
Cheers Jim
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Excellent tips.Which I like to think I apply but I bet I don’t consistently enough! Agree with your point on range of clubs for the bump and run. I like to use one of 7 iron, 9 iron or gap wedge depending on distance and other contributory factors.
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Rob,
We all need to improve on our game. I generally try to use various clubs while hitting the bump and run, however my 7 iron is my favourite go to club.
Cheers Jim
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Excellent tips Which I like to think I apply but I bet I don’t consistently enough! Agree with your point on club range for the bump and run. I like to use one of 7 iron, 9 iron or gap wedge depending on distance and other contributory factors.
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