EVERY new year brings with it a sense of new hope for golfers, especially as it dawns during the height of summer in Australia. Here are five easy areas you can work on from today:
1. Practise and play regularly. Improvement without practice is an unrealistic expectation. Practice may not make perfect for everyone, but some practice is better than none. There are some drills that can be done at home, so not being able to get to the range every week is no excuse not to practise.
2. Club selection is something you need to improve because coming up short is costing you shots. Instead of trying to force your 8-iron to go the distance, take your 7-iron and make a smooth swing. This will give you more control over the flight, shot shape and distance.
3. Taking your short game to the next level will improve your scoring. Your short game should include being able
to successfully use every club from 7-iron to lob wedge around the greens. See your local PGA professional to learn how to save shots around the green by expanding your short-game play.
4. Hitting the fairway off the tee every time is another way to improve your score and lower your handicap. The most effective way to do this is to have your current driver checked to see if it is suited to your game. If not, spend the time to get fitted for a new driver. This means the club will suit you – the loft and shaft flex specific to
your swing.
5. Distance off the tee is another game improvement you can achieve. I have been using Speed Sticks two to three times per week and gained an extra 10 miles an hour in clubhead speed. This would equate to roughly a 29-metre gain in distance. This gain would be permanent after about five weeks’ use, and regular use of Speed Sticks would maintain this extra length in your game. Check them out at golfperformancestore.com.auÂ
If you have any questions, e-mail me at [email protected]
• Jason Laws is the NSW PGA Teaching Professional of the Year
