Last Updated on June 1, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
What’s the quickest way to get better at golf? Spend money. We all know this to be the case. Between new equipment, golf lessons, and more time on the course, investing money in your game is a great way to go low on the course. However, you don’t always have to spend a ton of money in order to play better. Here are 8 ways to improve your golf game without spending a fortune. I’ve used all of these to get to a +1 handicap.
Watch the Professionals Play
Study what professional golfers do.
On a Sunday afternoon, watch a round of golf not to see who wins but to see how they win. Pay close attention to their techniques, strategies, club selection, and course management.
The pros take a deeper look into their game than you do because they play for a living. You don’t need to be quite as meticulous as the pros, but you should start to learn from their mistakes and make those adjustments on the course.
Practice with Purpose
When you have time to spend on the driving range, make sure you are using that time efficiently. Break your practice session into sections such as putting, chipping, alignment, and setup practice.
Before you head out to the range, make sure you have some drills and exercises you can use.
The key is not just to exercise and swing the club; it’s to develop your game further.
Utilize Free Online Resources
There is so much information available online for free. If you have a problem with your swing, simply find instructional videos, articles, and even forums to find solutions.
If you are a good learner, it won’t be hard to absorb some of this information and then fix the problem yourself.
Don’t forget to take a video of your swing and then compare that video to a professional or even a teaching professional to see where your issues lie.
Join a Local Golf League or Club
Participating in local leagues or golf clubs will give you a reason to work on your game, gain experience, and sometimes even get feedback from better players.
The thing I always found so good about leagues is it gives golfers just a little bit of pressure to play well. Even if these events are fun and geared to socialization, it’s nice to win.
Knowing that you want to win may just have you hitting a few more putts on the bedroom carpet before you go to bed at night.
This is a great way to get better by simply caring more about your score.
Work on Your Fitness
One of the easiest ways to become a better golfer is to be in better physical condition. You’ll gain more distance, better stability, and increased consistency, and you’ll be well on your way to lower scores.
Better physical condition does not require spending money. Simply adding in some cardiovascular workouts like walking, running, and swimming will help with stamina during the course.
Light weights or even bands can be used to do various golf exercises.
I play my best golf when I get into a strong fitness routine. There’s a reason so many professionals make this a part of their everyday practice.
Practice at Home
Practicing at home may require an initial investment. However, you can improve by using things like foam balls, DIY targets, a wedge, and an old coffee can when I was a kid.
I would put the coffee can in different areas around the yard and just try to chip the ball in. My distance control in my short game got really good, and it was a free training aid!
Take Advantage of Community Resources
Look for community centers or local courses that offer affordable golf clinics or group lessons. Sometimes, these are available as group golf learning sessions, but they are often conducted by local professionals.
Even more importantly, by attending these sessions, you may meet a professional who is willing to give you private lessons at a fair price.
The community resources are typically geared toward beginner golfers. If you are a lower handicap golfer, you may have to look for different avenues to improve your golf game.
Read Golf Instruction Books
Instructional books on golf can teach you a lot. Something like Ben Hogans Five Lessons has so much information in it that I’ve read it nearly 20 times. You can check the books out from the local library if you wish to keep the price even lower.
Reading about golf is such a cost-effective and simple way to get better without spending so much.
Final Thoughts
At some point, you may want to invest some more money in your game. However, getting better at golf does not have to cost you thousands of dollars. Simply work within your budget and use these simple ways to improve your golf game. As a young kid, I set up practice areas, read all the material I could find, and watched instructional videos until I made it to a scratch golfer. We couldn’t afford a country club or premium golf lessons. My point is that I know it’s possible to get better without spending all of your green fees on lessons and new equipment.
