A Few Tips That Make a Big Difference on the Course

Tips for Lowering Your Score on the Course
Be Humble, Clean Your Ball, Stick to Your Routine
Master the Wind, Keep Your Grooves Clean

The cold wave continues. This is unwelcome news for weekend golfers.

While there are still passionate golfers who brave the cold to visit the course, most people stop going even to the driving range. Many simply repeat their resolve to improve in the new year, but nothing changes. For these amateur golfers, some advice has emerged worth listening to. The American golf media outlet Golf Monthly has introduced simple tips to lower your score without any special training.

The first tip is to be humble. Even skilled players can hardly avoid making mistakes on approach shots around the green. Above all, it is important to know your own yardage with each club accurately. There is no need to be overly conscious about choosing a shorter club than your playing partners. If you set aside your pride and take one club longer, swinging smoothly, the ball is more likely to land safely near the pin or at least in front of it.

Hyejin Choi is checking the wind direction using the grass on the fairway. Provided by KLPGA

On the green, it is important to get into the habit of cleaning your golf ball. Mud or debris can significantly affect the ball's roll. In some cases, the direction can be thrown off by as much as 30 yards (about 29 meters). Instead of complaining when your putt doesn't go as expected, make sure to clean your ball first. A clean ball rolls much more consistently, naturally increasing your putting success rate.

Having your own pre-swing routine can also be helpful. This does not require a long period of time. A simple movement that allows you to feel comfortable before the shot is enough. Even this short process helps you compose yourself and gives you time to focus on the next shot.

Learning how to respond to the wind is also important. When the wind blows steadily in one direction, it is not difficult to figure out. If you remember which direction the flag was fluttering as you walked off the green, you can use that as a reference for your next tee shot. It is necessary to adjust your aim slightly, calculating for the wind.

Just because you don't feel the wind at the teeing area doesn't mean it has disappeared. You can gauge its direction and strength by watching the movement at the tops of trees or by tossing some grass into the air. Simply learning how to play in the wind can give you an advantage over your playing partners.

The last tip is to maintain your club grooves. Many weekend golfers neglect this. In particular, wedges need clean grooves to perform at their best. The method is simple: clean the grooves and face with a soft brush, then finish with a towel. It takes less than five seconds. A wedge with well-maintained grooves will have less distance variation and provide much more stable spin.