Fundamentals and Practice Improvement

It’s time for a fresh start in the New Year. I’m sure some of you avid golfers out there have some sort of resolution to improve your skills on the green but may be unsure where to begin. There is no question that fundamentals are a prominent factor in someone’s ability on the golf course, but having the right approach mentally will also take you to the next level. Peacock Gap instructor Will Karnofsky put together a few drills to take you to the next level.

Tip #1: How accurate you hit the ball depends primarily on where you aim and how you align. Alignment rods are fairly common, easy to use and beneficial. For this drill, you will need two alignment rods.

Place an alignment rod on each side of the ball, aiming in the direction you want the ball to go. Then, align yourself parallel to the alignment rods. The main line you want to focus on is your shoulder line. Make sure your shoulders are square and remain in line with your hips, knees and feet. Last but not least, swing away.

Tip #2: I’m sure at some point in life we have all heard the saying “you are your own worst critic.” It’s perfectly normal to feel that way about yourself, but that kind of mentality can negatively affect you on the green. 

Our biggest challenge as competitors is how we judge ourselves when we don’t get the results we know we are capable of. Instead of getting frustrated after a poor shot, try to retain all the positive information from your experience with that swing. Analyze your swing as much as you can and build off of it. Sure, you may have shanked it wide right, but maybe your swing felt nice and you just weren’t properly aligned or you weren’t as concentrated on your target as you should have been.

Regardless of the result, there is always something positive you can take from a swing.

Tip #3: One aspect that many golfers struggle with, especially newer ones, is swing tempo. A lot of prospective golfers think they need to swing as hard as they can to hit the ball far. Well, they’re wrong. Instead, find a consistent baseline speed that feels comfortable and generates results. On a scale of 1-10, try swinging at level four. 

After taking a few swings at level four, ask yourself if your shots are traveling on line and if you are making contact and then adjust accordingly.

As always, be on the lookout for future tips from our professional’s right here on the Peacock Gap blog!