Top 13 Mistakes Amateur Golfers Should Avoid

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Learning how to play golf can be pretty daunting for you as an amateur especially if you are a complete novice. In order to be a good golfer you have to be acquainted with the etiquette of the game, know how to practice and most of all learn the rules of golf.

I know how frustrating it feels to miss or top the golf ball because I have been through the same drill before I caught up with the right way of doing things. Therefore, to help you up your game, I have compiled a list of the top 13 mistakes amateur golfers make. Some of the mistakes are outlined in the following video;

1. Using the wrong golf balls

The problem starts right at the point of buying a golf ball. As an amateur, all you need is a ball that offers a lot more distance and is more durable. This types of golf balls are cheaper hence more affordable in terms of replacement. Most high handicappers and beginners tend to prefer balls that are softer and more expensive not keeping in mind that such balls are meant for players at a higher skill level. Thus, go for a golf ball that matches your skill level.

2. Warming up improperly

Warm up is extremely important for every sport and if not taken seriously may lead to underperformance. As much as golf seems to be a sedated sport, it has some impact on your body physically and for this reason, it is vital that you hit the golf course on time for some warm up. This way you will relax your muscles and get them ready for action especially if you have not played for a long time. The following video will illustrate the proper warm up exercise that you should undertake for your golfing muscles.

3. Teeing the golf ball on the front of the tee box

Another major mistake among amateurs is teeing the golf ball up on the front of the imaginary line that lies between the two tee boxes. With regard to golfing regulations, this means a penalty stroke and when in stroke play, it results in a two-shot penalty where the player will have to retake the short once more but behind the tee box. In case the player fails to make the rectification then disqualification is undertaken. Therefore you have to be keen when teeing and observant to the golfing rules or you will be penalized unnecessarily. Here is a video illustrating the same;

4. Practicing shots at the wrong angle

Practice is absolutely the basic thing to learning how to play golf and unfortunately, this is where most amateurs fail. In order, to get the right shot or angle, you have to practice appropriately. On average, most amateurs use 10% of their practice time for pitching, 70% to hitting the driver and 20% using lower to mid irons.

On the hand, high handicappers use drivers for only 13 to 14 times in 100 shots, 20-30 shots are taken using mid or lower irons while higher irons and fairway woods are used the least times. For you to get the right angle, you ought to work rigorously on putting and pitching.

5. Improper etiquette

Among some of the most vital rules in golfing is proper etiquette. Spending a maximum of five minutes looking for a lost ball, playing at a decent speed or letting quicker groups play first are some of the manners that should be upheld on a golf course. Additionally, you have to be keen not to walk on the line of another golfer’s putt or talk loudly on your phone or to anyone while on the golf course.

6. Carrying the wrong sticks

In several events, I have observed golfers struggling during long games for carrying the wrong tools of a trade. For instance, why would you have to carry a driver if you know you cannot hit it? As an amateur, you have to be aware of your level of skills and abilities on the golf course. A complete golfing gear has fourteen clubs and all this are at your disposal but you will probably use only ten of them. Most golf trainers advise beginner and low handicappers to use wedges and short-irons.

7. Fighting the wind

Professional golfers know how to transform obstacles into a stepping stone to victory. Rather than fighting the wind, for example, they use it to their advantage. However, amateurs always try to bend the wind to their will by using 100 percent of their power when swinging which ends up messy for them.

8. Failure to check the equipment before play

This is very common among most golf players in the world. A small percentage of golfers will remember to check on their equipment before they get onto the golf course. What if your kids tampered with the shaft of your driver while you were at home? It can be very disappointing for you to realize that your putter is missing while you are on the golf course for your first ever medal of the year. Always remember to check you equipment.

9. Poor timing

The secret behind hitting a good ball lies in proper timing. Proper timing ensures that you have the right rhythm which will keep you from hitting the ball too fast or too slow. Most amateurs miss out of the aspect of proper timing and to get it right you have to stay in your natural rhythm and stay focused despite distractions.

10. Short-siding

Short-siding is another common fault that should be avoided. In the event that there is a banker next to the pin and the pin is just to the left side of the green then you should not hit it left since you have minimal chances of getting it out of the banker. Below is a visual illustration of short-siding.

11. Under-reading putts

This is a problem that is rampant among amateurs where they struggle a lot playing enough break. In order to be more accurate, you have to play more break than your average estimation.

12. Over-estimating how far they hit a club

It is always amazing to see Tiger Woods make 220 yards from hitting a 5-iron but it is a problem when an amateur tries to do the same thing. The fact that you once hit one driver over 270 yards does not imply that you will achieve the same range on every other shot. I believe that every shot is mutually exclusive depending on a distance of the hole or prevailing weather conditions.

13. Hitting over the green

Hitting over the green may occur when a golfer uses too much power or fails to play in his or her natural shot. The best way that you can hit the golf ball within the green is to keep the golf course just in front of you as naturally as you can.

CONCLUSION

They say that we learn from making mistakes and with the compilation of common course errors that I have made for you above I hope you will find it easier eliminating them. Did you find the article helpful? If you did, do not forget to leave us your comments or share it with your friend.