Lower Golf Scores

How many of us spend hours and hours at the range working on our drivers, never to see lower golf scores at the end of our rounds? We are in love with the idea of driving the ball to the green every time, forgetting about the most important elements of golf. The fact of the matter is that nearly 70 percent of your shots are going to be within 100 yards of the hole, which means that the short game is as important as the tee shot and a good short game can significantly lower golf scores. Think about it--you may use your driver eight times a round, for many holes are too short, too doglegged, or too hazardous to use the big dog on.

However, every hole has a green. And unless you are you are an excellent golfer, it is going to take you at least two shots to get there and a couple more to putt it in (if not three or four). The key to lower golf scores lies in reducing the number of shots you have to make within a hundred yards. So, you need to work on your putting and your chipping in order to truly lower your handicap.

Chipping Your Way to Lower Golf Scores

While many of us struggle to drive the ball straight and true, we neglect the equally important skill of chipping. A well-placed chip can be the difference between birdying and bogeying a hole, yet it is extremely under practiced. If you can place the ball within a few feet of the hole on your approach shot (rather than hitting it into the bunker on the other side of the green), you are in excellent position to one-putt the hole and save par, even after launching a disastrous tee shot.

While putting and chipping are tremendously important, please don't think I am putting down the tee shot. It is of course extremely important. The difference is that there are great training aids that can help you develop a strong tee shot. They are often inexpensive and put a whole new dimension on your game. Having a solid tee shot is as important as your short game.