Many golf swing errors can be improved with a simple change to one area of the stroke, rather than a complete overhaul of the swing. For example, a golfer with an otherwise fundamentally sound swing can be doomed just by standing too close to or far away from the ball. Learning to spot common errors, and developing ways to remember their corrections on the course will have you playing like a tiger, if not Tiger Woods, in no time.
Driving
Despite the fact that your driver is supposed to give you greater distance with your normal swing, many golfers change their swing in an effort to get more distance off the tee box. The concept of "swing easy, hit hard," is as true today as it was when it was coined decades ago. An attempt to hit the ball "hard" leads to a tight grip, tensed muscles in the forearms, decreased acceleration and a shorter drive. To improve your drive, decrease the tension in your hands with two simple tips.
First, practice swinging your club with your two pinky fingers off the grip. You should still be able to maintain a tight enough grip to hit the ball, but you'll have less tension. After several practice swings, put the pinky fingers back on the club and try to swing with the same amount of tension as the previous swings. Second, for a visualization tip, think of your club grip as if it were a bird or a loaf of bread---you'll need to hold it tight enough to hang on to it, but not so tight that you'll crush. Practice swinging your club with a "bird in the hand" to improve your drives.
Putt When You Pitch
A pitch onto the green is stroked with a low, even club path that's more similar to a putt than any other swing. Go to the practice green and practice pitching with your putter to learn the proper motion for this important stroke. Once you have a comfortable rhythm for this swing using your putter, change your club to your 7 iron or whichever club you use to chip, and "putt" the ball onto the green with your putting stroke. Because a short iron has a more lofted club head, the ball will pop up and onto the green with your putt-like stroke.
Take Some Sand
Mis-hitting a ball out of the sand can launch it toward the next tee box and cost you two or three strokes per hold. The best golfers don't try to hit the ball out of the sand, they use the sand to lift the ball out of the trap. Hitting the sand about two inches behind the ball lets you take a longer swing while giving you more control. Trying to hit the ball directly requires a more delicate touch and can lead to more problem. Use your normal swing from the sand, but hit the sand, not the ball.
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