walking up by the green with the wrong club for the pitch shot; realizing you SHOULD walk back to the cart for the right club but instead try to use that wrong club thinking you can pull it off.
My habit is to be looking at my lie and line to the hole as I approach the green....Good procedure to follow: Grab putter and my wedges. Once I have taken my shot, I leave my wedges at the edge of the green on a direct line from the hole back to the cart. Saves time and I will never leave a club behind.
I have a brother in law who constantly mocked me for hitting two or three more clubs than him into the green. e.g. "I hit wedge, what did you hit? SEVEN???? What a wimp." (I have a twelve foot birdie putt, he is the front bunker.) He made me play from the back tees one day. I managed my game to an 83. He shot 92. I just don't play with him anymore.
What about hitting a 6 instead of a 9 and putting it to 3 feet and briefly thinking you're a great golfer before realising it wasn't a 9 and that you just chunked a 6 LOL!
My most common mistake: noticing on the tee shot while I'm ready to hit that my ball is too high or too low on the tee, and being too lazy to correct and do my routine again. 100 % chance of bad shot following
Number 8, it depends on the club you’re hitting and the arc of the trajectory. A good rule is for every yard of elevation add half a yard to your distance. And the opposite is true for downhill shots.
Aww man…. I never use more loft than is required. Your scores will thank you for it. Let the “shot” dictate the club. Never try to manipulate the wrong club for the shot. I’m very disappointed if I leave a chip more than 4 feet away. I’ll use anywhere from a 9i to a 57*. Practice with different clubs to get the feel of how far they roll out. It will knock at least 5 shots off your score on average. Trust me.
Thinking about the score or results rather than the current shot. This sometimes happens to me after a really good shot causing me to follow it up with a bad one.
You take the time to read a putt and adjust the line on your ball to the line of the putt...then you change your read and line when you are standing over the ball.
Going for the hero low percentage shot which ive made a handful of times instead of the smarter play to save bogey.. but it's sure a lot more fun to pull off the hero shot
These are great tips that took me years to learn from better players (especially when talking medal play course management). -Sounds insanely obvious, but always ID your ball. I have had caddies and spectators find my ball only to realize it is not when getting to the green. -As you said, avoid compounding mistakes. If you hit a bad shot, play for bogey. You may come out with a par. But you’ll avoid double and triple bogies. Has helped me make a lot of cuts in amateur events.
I tried to pull off a miracle 5 wood on the last hole of my round yesterday. If I had punched out from behind the tree I could have easily taken bogey instead of the triple that ruined my round. Ego kills!
I'm 73yo with bad legs, ankles and back. As a result, I haven't been able to golf in Many years. But, I still enjoy learning what I should have done. Thank You for talking to we golfers as intelligent adults that have Not just taken up the game.
When you decide to lay up then often you subconsciously take the pressure and tension off of yourself and then make a more smooth and relaxed swing that can result in you finding the sweet spot and making really good contact, which in turn ends up with your ball going that be farther than intended.
Good video I would add when on a par 4 we go for the driver or 3 wood most times. When if you took a 5 or 6 iron off tee wood leave a better shot to green where the woods end up in rough or tree. Hope this helps
When I got new clubs I took them to the range to test and record how far I could hit. Not thinking about the not so great range balls. First Iron shot on the course and it went 15 yards past the flag.
I find that I begin to get tired by the 12th hole. My distance suffers yet I still use the same clubs without adjusting for the decrease in club head speed.
Relatable. The 'guy who takes twelve practice swings and then still Duff's it and the swing looks totally different' is missing, as is the person who knows they slice/hook but still aims down the middle and gets confused why they end up in the bushes all the time? But my favorite is the 'tee it up too high guy' who pops it straight up in the air on most tee shots. Half a ball higher and no more is needed!
Great list! #5, the one about the fairway bunker, is good advice for stroke play. For match play maybe not so. There will be times in that format where you have to throw caution to the wind.
Under reading the break on a putt, better to go in on the high side than the low, not knowing how far you hit each club, not thinking what side of the fairway to play into off the tee which means not giving yourself any green to work with, the list goes on
I use the laser rangefinder and sometimes disregard the distance shown. I am almost always over the green if I use one club less. I also rush my putts. I know I shouldn’t but still do. Good video
There is one important point you could add about under-clubbing uphill shots. Most uphill shots are also hit from an uphill lie. If so, you must add that into your calculation. I see many players add one club for such a shot wondering why they still came up short.
When playing uphill or downhill lies forgetting to take into account additional or reduced clubhead loft. Sometimes to disastrous effect (e.g. hitting a fairway wood from downhill straight into a pond instead of over it).
The layup I was laughing that's me I played both days this weekend was 250 out both times topped my wood straight into a hazard each time I told my self should have hit an 8 iron to about 100yds 😂😂😂
Par 5's, Laying up to 100ish yards is so smart, but the rule I have for myself is, 230 or less, no trouble, give it a go. Biggest challenge, stay away from trouble.
I remember Butch Harmon saying he could lower the scores of his trainee pros by a couple of shots a round if he could remove all the flags prior to them playing so they cant see where the hole is cut. Aim for the middle of the green every time and you'll hit far more. Great tip for us all I reckon.
Hitting the ball on practice and just get it out of the trap are for everyone, a lot of the other stuff is for people who see pros and enter club tournaments. Hitting 3 chips inside 20 yards on a public course (dub it short, line drive it over) with less than ideal grass off the green adds a lot of stokes. Not marking the ball on green, then lining up the line on the ball with your 'line' like the pros, I quote 'line' because my lines outside of 3 feet are terrible but being 5 degrees off that 'line' is worse. Hitting a 40 foot put more than 10 feet left or right of the hole also adds a lot of strokes.
Item 4 - Laying up. I find that I often get this wrong because if I play an 'easy' swing at the ball I strike it better and it goes further than usual, as opposed to trying to whack it and not making good contact.
Nice bit of advice I'll bet I've made all those mistakes at sometime or another and probably still do time to give myself a good shake I think and get a grip that looks a nice course
I would add 2: 1. Standing on the tee and knowing you are not even, or your foot is in depression, or the ball is teed a little too high, and thinking, it's Ok I can hit it anyway instead of backing off and making the needed corrections. 2. For amateurs picking the correct tee box is crucial to enjoying your round. I see too many people pick the tee box by the length and how far they drive the ball instead of by their handicap. I have played with too many people who I call are all drive but no arrive. Sure, they hit 300 yds drives, but you never know where they are going. And then they really have no short to middle game. So they shoot 98 or 101 and are miserable the entire time. I realize this video may have been geared towards tournament play. But wanted to add this for amateurs like myself.
I have a different distance problem when hitting at a range. The balls are harder and don’t fly as far as the balls I use on the course. I then find myself swinging harder on the range to make my 7 iron for example go as far as it does out on the course.
Mistake #1, focusing too much and not enjoying the round. You are out, you play golf and you should enjoy it instead of putting to much pressure of making a certain score or whatever.
@@hankvoight3326 So? What's that got to do with the price of fish? Golf is, first and foremost, recreational. It it only a very small proportion of golfers who ever play formal competitions of any sort.
Sometimes turning up was a mistake lol however my personal favorite is reading the putt from every angle then leaving it 5ft short on line or 5ft past, cheers.
99% of amateurs think they hit the ball farther than they actually do. Lay up tip. Take 2 clubs less then you need to reach trouble. i.e. you hit a 7 into the bunker, you might just reach it with an 8 as well. But more importantly, how far out do you want to be? What's your best distance? Hit it to that distance, no further. Why leave 50 yds, when you hit a great wedge from 90 yds?
This kind of thinking has helped my game tremendously over the last few rounds as a new golfer. Been aiming to leave myself 125-140 yards for my approach as my 9i and pwedge are my 'best' clubs. Has resulted in more fairways and lower scores since I can tee off with an iron on most par 4s.
And of course the other thing is, you always hit lay up shots absolutely pure. There's a lesson there somewhere, but I've played 33 years and cannot learn it.
If 99% of golfers think they hit the ball farther than they do, if they take the club that they think will reach the trouble, they'll come up short every time, right?
I always check the markers against my laser on the first couple holes, especially on new course. #4 of laying up to leave a convenient yardage to center of green is absolutely gold. And as Ben Hogan said, the middle of the green is always in the same place.
solid points. i like #6 as i have friends that hit their irons so far and its annoying in a way when its 150+ and theyre pulling out a pitching wedge and i have my 7 iron. but like you said it doesnt matter how you get there, as long as you get there.tbh i think that hitting your irons that far is almost a bad thing. great for long distance yes but it creats a bigger gap in shorter distance clubs. for instance id much rather do a full swing with my 56degree wedge to get me 80 yards, than them having to use a higher lofted wedge and anything but a full swing. also, your recovery shot on #2 is an amazing shot and a bad example of your point tho. you should have laid up but went for it and made it safely.
Agreed, a full swing is easier than a touch feel shot. Especially if you're not comfortable using the "clock" system. I like 9:00 for 100 yards, 52 degree wedge. I'm with you on the 150 7 iron, All day long.
This is an outstanding video: wish I could Like twice. The lay up advice and avoidance of the heroic, if applied, will shave a few shots off my next round, for which I thank you.
"...it's hard to do sometimes when you're a bit annoyed and the red mist is descending." I love that imagery. I never heard it put in those words, "red mist". Love it and will be using that phrase.
From The Free Dictionary: red mist A state of extreme anger, excitement, or competitive arousal, such as might cloud one's judgment or senses. Primarily heard in UK.
The main thing that I see my playing partners do is come up short 95% of the time, on approach shots. This is nuts to me! Not sure if it’s an ego thing, or just always playing to hit that particular club absolutely perfect every time. I’ll sometimes hit 2 extra clubs(at least 1), than my buddies. However, I’m long as often as I am short, while they’re ALWAYS a mile short. My scores reflect this. While they talk about hitting their pitching wedge 160 yards that one time, all day, I’m shooting around par, and beating them by 10. Haha And as far as forgetting about speed, on a makeable putt…. I take my practice strokes imagining that I hit the putt, then simply “repeat” that stroke, once I dial it in. That takes speed out of the equation. Then, I can solely concentrate on starting the ball perfectly on my spot.
Been playing since I was 4 I’m 19 now ... always had a slice and I’m a lefty golfer... got some tips from my cousin saying that my head club was closed and not open when I would swing and it would just go left or right... gotten better but my slice is still there any tips on how to fix my slice ???
The amount you have to add on raised shots varies with every club you play as well as even the type of clubs you have and the ball you are playing. Your play style (spin+power) and the temperature will also be factors shots with high arcs and high spin will need less ajustment than longer shots. For example a lob wedge is coming straight down when it lands where as a 3 Iron will inevitably encounter a greater degree of resistance.
Oh yeah.....And, as a measure of good sportsmanship, your fellow players should be kind enough to remind you to do so. I had this happen to me in a tournament. I was in second place on the third to last hole. The leader was in my group,. I hit two good shots into #10( our last hole was #13). Anyway, I was asked to move and mark my ball. I forget to replace my ball. The other two guys in our group had already putted out and returned to their cart. The other guy, the one who asked me to move my ball from his line, said nothing. I Putt out for par. He made bogey. I was now just one shot behind. We begin driving to the next hole when he says to me that I forgot to replace my ball. After a moment, I was not fully aware of the penalty. So I went back and finished the hole from the best location of where my ball should have been. This is incorrect as I discovered after reading the rule. Not the point. I am a competitor. I am also a good sport. I don't subscribe to gamesmanship. THat's almost as bad as cheating. And playing games makes one a prick. I would have reminded a player to not forget to properly replace his ball. It just courtesy and respect. Yes, I fully realize that each of us has sole responsibility to play by the rules. And we are responsible for our play. But THIS was bull crap. I lost to the guy by two stokes. I saw him at a few more events. I refused to speak to him.
Forgetting to use a pencil with a eraser!!!!!!!!!! I have been told 97% of all average golfers shots end up short. So I always hit an extra club. It is amazing how much better I became! Once a round I over hit a green.
My home golf course has a lot of large trees with branches that reach out a ways. I quite often forget to look at overhead branches when I pull out my pitching wedge for a high approach. 🤦♂️
#6...not ego-picking the wrong club...by itself lowered my handicap by about 4 strokes. I'm getting older and my clubhead speed is less than 10 years ago. So, I've adjusted my distances and I am now much more accurate than ever before.
Toughest thing for me is to get out of my own head. I seem to focus so much on the little details to make a good swing that it doesn't happen all too often... If I could just relax, and trust my body that it knows what to do, then better things are going to happen.
I think just getting up to the ball on a lay-up and not picking a specific target...with no focus I often hit the ball way off line...occasionally I even do it with a driver if it a wide open fairway
When you are setting up, you feel that something isn’t quite right in the set up. But will you stand up from ball and start again? No you carry on and duff the shot. Hardest thing in world to do is stop your routine and start again.
I sometimes forget about the wind, especially gentle wind from behind or ahead. Also, seeing the general direction of the green on fairway shots to gauge how fast a ball will stop. Also, forget to assess my lie on approach shots. Also forget my preshot routine and thus rushing my shot. Also, hitting it fat because I swing too hard instead of easy swing w a long club.
At number 1, surely Rule 9.4a comes into play and the ball is replaced with no penalty as no “stroke” was played and the ball was moved accidentally? Any thoughts?
"Add a few extra yards when you play uphill" there's so many great holes at chautauqua country club, but one has a drive over a creek, then an iron to an elevated green.. elevation of 120 feet. With no space to miss behind it.
what about lifting up or picking your head up during the swing? Or am I the only one who ever does that? Or trying to hit the ball too hard, put some extra oomph on it?
Just hit the ball on my practice chip swing today!!!!!!!!!! So frustrating! The worst part was trying to tell the others, who didn't see, that this was my practice swing :-)
Here's one I see far too many people do: When the pin is in the front of the green, people hit the club that goes that exact distance only when you hit a full shot perfectly. There are several things wrong with doing this. 1. Unless you're hitting a very lofted club, you have to consider you need some roll to get to that "exact" distance, and most people don't take that into account. For a longer club, that means the roll has to start before the green, and if there is a bunker or soft ground in front of the green, you just found it (and not the green). 2. How often do amateurs actually hit it the full distance for any given club? If you club up one and hit it flush, the worst that will happen is you hit the back part of the green, but you're still putting. If you hit it a little short, you're pin high! But...... 3. If you don't hit the full distance you were trying for when aiming for a front pin, you're now off the green AND short-sided (possibly in a bunker or swale too) which is the worst place to be around the green.
I have an idea what the answer is, but you should clarify the better option for #8. For example, walking 20 yards back for a full sand wedge shot from a dry lie.
You have a follow-through? Wow, I wish I did. I couldn't possible stop my practice swing from whipping round the back of my neck, but put a ball there and the club doesn't get past parallel.
Missed a one foot putt today in the comp doing almost exactly what Neill showed in the video - cost me the gross win and left me at 36 points net exactly. Oops! ;-)
The gurus who give you 3-4 swing thoughts! When you are over the ball, clear your mind or say just take the club back smoothly, if you have multiple swing thoughts going through your head at this stage you are going to stuff the shot up. Have 2 good practice swings and then go for it.
Golf is about two things. Plan and execution. Its all about planning errors. How not to do any planning stupid mistakes. Pls workout on execution errors too. What mistakes most golfers do while executing the shot they have already planned for? That would be a great help too..!!
Spending too much time overthinking the shot with practice swings then when you actually take the shot because you got so much in your head you fat the shot and don’t make clean contact. Not only does this frustrate yourself it frustrates your playing partner slows down play and ruins your game.
Not checking what club you actually have in your hand, and hitting (say) a 6 instead of a 9. I've done that, hit the perfect shot, got excited while it's in the air, and then look on in disbelief as it goes into the bushes over the green.
1. Not stepping away from the ball when something doesn’t feel right. Then hitting a terrible shot. 2. Not checking your alignment towards the target, resulting in hitting a good shot at the wrong target.
First stupid mistake- Not taking lessons from a competent instructor if your goal is to become a good player. The only exceptions I know of are Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. Second stupid mistake- Taking advice from your friends and other hackers that can't break 90 to save their lives or those you bet with on the course.
Allow me to preface my post. I had a benefit of playing hundreds of rounds with a friend who was also a Class A PGA Teaching pro. All of the tips posted here are from that individual. The green side bunker....I was taught "you're not that good. Get the ball on the green. Don't get cute. And don't try the hero shot. You might hit is just right 10% of the time " So, my advice....ABP......Always Be Putting. Shots where the pin is in a difficult place. Unless you're a single digit index player or a pro, cut the crap. Go for the center of the green. And here it is again.....ABP....Always Be Putting....Despite the shape and size of most greens, even a player with a mid level index( me) stands a much better chance of making par or at worst by hitting the green in regulation. The ball snookered behind the tree. IN the video, the shot from behind looking toward the green. I had already picked out the play I would make. Here it is ...If advancing the ball is possible, pick a spot on the fairway and get the ball to that area. It is MUCH easier to get the ball on the green in TWO shots if the ball is in the fairway. The scorecard. I play tournament golf. Our events are mostly shot gun starts. I can say I've made the mistake of filling out the card from hole one a few times. My trick...If for instance my first hole is #15. I take a Sharpie and draw a line to the LEFT of the spaces for hole #15. This alerts me to start scoring on the proper hole. Layups..Yep... The pro in the video is spot on. My layup is not as close to the green s possible. My layup is "put a FULL wedge ib my hands on the next shot"..I HATE trying to finesse a 55 yard punch wedge into a pin. I suck at it.
Putting vanity aside is a tough cookie. Because I can hit driver 350 doesn't mean I should do it for that shot. Smart Golf is lower scores and more fun.
