Tip # 1

Don't even start ... you will lead a generally happier life, avoiding a great deal of stress, expense and disappointment. Unless, of course, you are between the ages of 6 and 10 years.


Tip # 2

Hold your golf clubs properly. Get the most expensive and best qualified personal advice possible (Harmon, Leadbetter, Lloyd, Guiney etc.) on how to grip a club. If you're not holding it right, nothing works (see my results for 2009 season).

 

Tip # 3

Play no more than 30% of your competition rounds on your home course, otherwise your handicap is less realistic than the special effects in a 50's B horror movie.

 

Tip # 4

Alway use the same brand and variation of ball, both in practice (especially short game and putting) and every time you play a course. A ProV1 does not react the same as an NXT Tour. A Top-Flite does not react. A rock-hard range ball has no place on a putting or chipping green.

 

Tip # 5

Practice putting more than any other aspect of the game - 40% of all golf strokes are putts, so at least 40% of your practice should consist of putts. Also practice reading greens in exactly the same way as if you were playing a competition round. You will sink more of your practice putts, and your session will be more satifying and motivating. Though this often appears to be a novelty, the aim is to hit the ball into the hole.

Tip # 6

Treat chips from around the green as if they were putts. Take a long, close look at the line from both sides and all angles and always take the approach that you can and will chip it in.

 

Tip # 7