Last Updated on August 6, 2024 by Shawn Olizarowicz
Some mistakes, like your open clubface at impact or your weight shift that slides your hips into the ball, aren’t stupid. In fact, those are just common swing errors that you have to work through. However, there are other mistakes you may be making that are actually stupid. These easily avoidable mistakes cost you strokes and make it difficult for you to go low. Here are five that are killing your golf game.
Not Stretching When You Wake Up in the Morning Before a Round
Let’s face it: You won’t stretch on the first tee. You’ll be running, hitting a few balls on the range, putting sunscreen on, and tying your shoes, but you won’t stretch.
It’s understandable.
However, you can instead stretch first thing in the morning when you get up. Create a morning stretching routine every day before you head out for a round. You’ll have a better range of motion, reduced stiffness, and better swing mechanics overall.
Spending 10-15 minutes doing this is great, but if you only have time for 5, it’s better than nothing.
Not Drinking Enough Water During the Round
Dehydration can make you shoot higher. However, dehydration on the golf course can have even more implications than this. Some golfers who forget to hydrate on hot days will struggle with energy level issues, fatigue, and even medical complications.
Try to take a few sips of water at every tee box. The pros do this. They don’t necessarily drink the entire bottle, but they take a few sips to ensure they are ready to play the hole to the best of their ability. Trust me on this one: once you get dehydrated, it’s hard to come back from it. Drink the water.
Not Walking to the Hole When You Have a Long Putt
Picture this scenario: Your golf ball is at the front of the green, and the pin is in the back. You walk up to the ball, look at the line, and hit it.
The problem is you never walked to the hole to analyze the distance. This is a missed opportunity.
You won’t be able to determine the green’s contour and slope unless you walk all the way up to the hole. You’ll also give your mind a chance to take in the exact length of the putt and determine how big of a stroke is needed.
Not Calculating the Layup Distance on a Par 5
If you can’t reach a par 5 in two, don’t try to hit the ball as far as you can. Instead, lay up to a distance where you know you can get on the green with one of your best shots.
For many golfers, this is a 100 to 120-yard shot.
The awkward yardages of 60-80 yards are difficult and make it difficult for you to hit it close.
Layups aren’t free shots; they are layups. They should be calculated so that you can capitalize on them.
Neglecting Visualization (The Positive Kind)
Are you visualizing your shots before you swing the club back? If you aren’t, you are missing out on the chance of getting a better result. Mental preparation and visualization lead to more consistent scores and shot outcomes.
Most golfers are so worried about not hitting it in the hazard that they forget the improtance of visualizing the desired result.
Practice positive self talk. Develop a pre shot routine and stick to it. Most importantly make sure that you are calm and confident and that you are planning for a great shot, not a bad one!
Change these things today, and stop killing your golf game!
