I Want To Become A More Consistent Golfer - But How?

Are you looking to chip or pitch your golf ball more consistently? How about hitting your 6 iron solid each and every time? What about your score? How do you go from shooting 82 one day to 96 the other?

Sadly, striking the golf ball solid will not always mean lower and more consistent scores.

Ball striking and course management are the two aspects you have to consider if you want consistency on the golf course.

To play more consistent and manage the course more effectively, it helps to have a key thought that you are going to think about that day. Each time you play, before your round, select one wing thought. Be proactive and choose to think about that thought rather than react to your shots. That single thought could last weeks, months or even an entire season.

A prominent PGA Tour player, Ernie Els, holds on to the thought about tempo throughout his game. And he thinks of nothing else.

There are some people who like to think of mechanical swing thoughts. They could either think about adding a bit of shoulder turn in a back swing, keeping the right knee a bit flexed, or even getting the club face to be a little more square up on top.

Whatever you choose your swing thought to be, the important thing is that you don't become reactive when you hit a fade into the woods. Having a key thought will make you proactive. Without it, you'll end up trying to fix that slice. Instead of being reactive, it's better to continue thinking about your swing thought. The one that allowed you to hit those great shots before.

Whatever your swing thought may be, decide what it is before you step on the first tee and use it throughout the round. This will help you be more consistent on the golf course.

So how do you increase the consistency of your ball striking? One trick is to maintain the angles of your body. Having consistency in your angles will help you have more solid shots. This would mean that your posture, hip flex, and the height of your chest stays the same throughout the whole swing.

Essentially what's going on when you maintain your body angles is you allow the club to bottom out on the same spot repeatedly. Concentrate on maintaining the height of your chest throughout the golf swing. Being aware of your chest will ensure that you don't stand up or drop down during your swing. Maintain the height of your chest and the result will be more consistent shots.

In conclusion, improving overall consistency in your golf game will happen when you are intentional about two things:

1. Thinking about one swing thought during your whole game. Start thinking about it before you tee off, and make sure this thought will keep you proactive, not reactive.

2. Keep your body angles at a similar position throughout your whole swing. Remember to keep your chest height at the same level from the back swing, to the impact, and finally to the follow through.