Have you ever played a round of golf with someone who just kept trying to help you get better? Despite this person shooting two shots higher than you, they believe they can fix your swing.
This is so common on the course, and it can make the game a little frustrating when you have a lot of advice coming at you during a round. The best thing you can do about unsolicited golf advice is to try and ignore it.
Here are the worst tips you will come across.
Slow Your Swing Down
Slowing the swing down seems like a great tip of advice for someone struggling with inconsistency, topped shots, and lack of rhythm. However, it’s actually unnatural to slow the swing down.
To hit great golf shots you do need to be smooth and consistent but you still have to go after the ball with speed if you want to make consistent contact and hit it both straight and far.
Keep Your Left Arm Straight
Probably the most overused golf tip in the history of the game.
Your left arm should be straight at impact. However, most Amateur golfers take this idea to the extreme, trying to create this left-arm straight concept throughout the whole swing.
It reduces any fluidity they had and can even cause you to hit shots further off-line. If you need to keep this “left arm straight” concept in your mind, add the thought of “at impact.”
Left arm straight at impact.
Go Right At The Pin
Aiming right at the pin is not a great idea.
In fact, most amateur golfers would shoot much lower scores if they would aim directly at the center of the green instead of going right for the pin. The pin is typically a harder target to go at and factors like, wind, slope and general inconsistency will come into play.
Go for the center of the green, and you’ll find it easier to make pars and less likely to make bogeys.
Just Put The Ball In The Middle of Your Stance
The ball can go in the middle of your stance for your short irons and mid-irons. However, when you get to the long irons and driver, the ball needs to move forward of center.
Different clubs and shots require varied ball positions. Adjusting the ball placement will help you make cleaner contact and play with more consistency.
Grip It Nice and Lose
Gripping the club with too much pressure will make hitting long and consistent shots difficult, especially the drives. However, if you grip the club so loose that you cannot control the clubhead, you will end up spraying the ball.
Even if somebody is telling you to ease up on your grip pressure, make sure you still feel ready to control the clubhead. When you strike the ball you’ll have to hold the clubhead steady in order to get distance and accuracy so keep that in mind.
Try to Scoop the Ball into the Air (You Have To Get Under It)
Scooping a golf ball does nothing.
To get a ball to go up in the air, you need to hit down and through it and compress it. When you scoop, you may hit the shot thin, skull it across the green, and end up with a much bigger problem.
Start by taking small shots with a sand wedge in your hand. Work on making ball-first contact and hitting down and through the golf ball. When you do this, the ball should fly up in the air, stop, and sometimes even spin back.
If you scoop, you may get it up in the air a few times, but it’s not a shot you can rely on.
Don’t listen to those scoopers!
Use The Club You Are Comfortable With
While it’s good to hit the majority of the shots in your round with clubs that you prefer and are comfortable with, it’s important to learn to use all the clubs in your bag. For shots around the green, you’ll need to use everything from an 8-iron to a lob wedge.
Off the tee, it’s good to have confidence in the driver and know how to hit a hybrid.
If you don’t like your long irons, trade them for something else. The key is to vary your golf clubs.
Try Hitting an Iron off the Tee Box
For a par 3 or a shorter par 4, the iron may be your best choice. However, for most golfers, hitting an iron off the tee is actually a mistake. You’ll end up with less distance and a much more difficult time trying to score on that hole.
Even if you are known to slice, consider using your fairway wood or driver. Learn to hit the ball straight; don’t settle for an iron shot. It won’t get you the desired results.
Bend The Knees
Finally, another classic is bending the knees.
When golfers bend their knees too much, they quickly transition from an athletic to an unathletic position. Keep the knees flexed, but certainly don’t treat it like an actual bend.
Final Thoughts
At this point, you have all the details you need about the advice you must avoid from your playing partners. Most golfers are just trying to help, but in the end, they could destroy your game. Don’t let this happen; stay focused on the things that you know will help you shoot your best scores.
