Last Updated on May 26, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple tip from a friend on the course to help you feel like you have the game all figured out. The problem is that this simple tip can also wreak havoc on your golf game. As a golf professional, I can tell you that some of these golf tips do more harm than good. Of course, they are shared to try and help you, but in the end, they may leave you with a mess to clean up. Be polite about accepting this advice and then move on without it!
Slow Down
A controlled tempo with balance and rhythm is so importnat. However, purely slowing down can really throw off your game.
What happens to most players is they slow down through impact. This deceleration actually causes them to hit behind the ball, give up distance, and have poor contact.
Speed in golf is a good thing. If you need to think about speed, you can consider a slow backswing, but let the downswing be fast so you don’t lose your distance and accuracy.
Keep Your Head Down
When you contact a golf ball, your head will be down. The problem with this advice is that golfers take it literally and force their heads down throughout the entire swing.
The problem is that keeping your head down for too long can restrict your follow-through and lead to poor shots. If you have to think about your head position, try keeping the head “over the ball.” You may also try the idea of “eyes on the ball.”
Many amateur golfers don’t know how to diagnose a swing fault. They see issues and simply think they would be fine if the golfer looked at the ball longer. That’s usually not the case.
Use Your Hands to Generate Power
The hands are not the source of the power in your golf swing. Power comes from your body rotation and, most importantly, from the larger muscles.
If you try to chase the ball with your hands and wrists, you will create inconsistency in the impact position.
When searching for power, think about the big muscles.
Just Aim Straight at the Pin
The majority of golfers should be aiming straight at the green, or even straight at a safe spot, not necessarily the pin.
Another thing to keep in mind is that most amateur golfers have a slight draw or fade, and if you don’t compensate for shot shape, you may get in more trouble.
Course management is such an important part of going low. However, if you just want to avoid double bogeys, start aiming at the center of the green (ignoring the pin!).
Swing Harder off the Tee
Yes, most golfers have a driver swing speed that is quite a bit higher than the iron swing speed. This happens because they go after it with more effort, but also because of the length and weight of a driver compared to a mid-iron.
It’s a great idea to accelerate through the golf ball, transfer your weight and get to a balanced and strong finished position.
However, much of this happens naturally because of the club you have in your hand. If you step up to a tee box with the sole swing thought of hitting it really hard, you’ll probably lose some control and balance.
Bend Your Knees More
The bent knee concept needs to go. Not only can bending your knees throw off your balance it’s really not the correct posture in golf. The idea is to stick your behind out just a little bit. SOme say it looks like that first move when you are going to sit in a higher stool.
All you do is create a slight bit of spine tilt. When you do that the knees may flex a little but a conscious effort to bend the knees is really not a stable and atheltic position.
Posture and setup in golf take some time to work out, but do yourself a favor and throw the “bend your knees” tip out the window.
Keep Your Left Arm Straight at All Costs
I recently helped a golfer who had the concept of keeping his left arm straight down! He kept it straight the entire swing and looked somewhat like a robot trying to hit the golf shot.
The left arm straight concept is good at impact.
If you are trying to keep the arm straight at all costs, you will restrict your natural swing, create tension and limit flexibility. It takes away all the fluid motion you have in your golf swing. Don’t do it!
Lift the Ball Right Up
Lifting the ball is not how it gets into the air. You want to hit down and through the golf ball, and because of that, it goes up in the air. This is especially important in the short game.
So many amateur golfers think that they can just lift a chip or pitch or sand shot onto the green. They keep their weight back on their trial side and use their hands and wrists to flip the ball in the air.
Instead, start hitting down and through the ball, and you’ll watch it go straight up into the air.
Stop at the Top of Your Backswing
Stopping at the top of the backswing is supposed to help golfers feel a smooth transition from backswing to downswing. The concept here is a good one. However, the thought can often get exaggerated and then cause problems for golfers.
The way I like to phrase this is, “feel a slight pause.” I’m not saying to actually stop; instead, it’s just to feel like the club pauses for a second. It probably won’t stop. The best golf tips help players feel something and make a connection, they don’t always have to be taken literally.
Keep Your Feet Planted
Stability is important, but if you don’t rotate your feet through the golf ball, you aren’t going to hit straight and long golf shots. In addition, some movement of your feet before you swing can help you feel as though your legs are not locked in place.
Golf tips like “keep your feet planted” or “the feet stay on the ground” are for those that are lacking stability and balance. Your feet can move you just have to be able to stay on them!
Golfers are athletes, and in any sport, if you stand still in one position for too long, you’ll lose some of your natural ability to be aggressive. If you don’t believe me on this one, look at Scottie Scheffler; his feet have some movement!
Final Thoughts
The best golf tips that any person could give you is to take the advice of professionals. You can find so much great information about the game of golf by taking a lesson or even researching on YouTube or through blogs. On the golf course, just be smart about what types of tips you are taking and whether they will actually be what your swing needs.
