Okay, let’s not delay that promise any longer – 2026 is definitely, almost certainly, absolutely going to be the year you finally get better. There are many ways to do this – reading GOLF magazinelooking at ours videobooking a LEARNINGand taking suitable for clubs — but you can also learn a lot just by reading this website. So, in an effort to get you started on your 2026 goal, we’re rolling out five top tips to focus on next year. Now read and get to work.
Top 5 tips for 2026: Make more shots
Ready to finally pour more shots? According to Adam Smitha teacher to watch GOLF and head golf instructor at The Country Club of Virginia, the key to improving your skill starts with changing the way you practice. More specifically, what do you practice? first.
“Dedicate this year to practicing putting green first,” says Smith. “I tell my students to do that, and it really pays off. All golfers are programmed to first go to the range and hit balls. And then, because they’re so fatigued from the swing, they only hit shots for a very short period of time.”
Smith says the routine of hitting the ball first and then quickly rolling a few shots before getting into shape is a habit that weekend warriors struggle to break — and don’t even realize it’s holding them back.
“The greatest players in the world devote 50 percent of their practice time to playing and another 50 percent to working on their full swing,” Smith says. “So my advice is to turn over a new leaf this year to get the most out of your golf game and practice putting before you hit the range balls.”
Some bonus tips? Smith says to get fit as a shooter, too. While the benefits of a full bag fit are obvious, proper fit for a club is just as important as any other club, especially since it’s the one you use the most.
“The funny thing is, we use our equipment on every hole, and yet everyone wants the next best driver,” Smith says. “See a certified golf club fitting professional who is skilled in fitting golf clubs – proper length, lay angle, grip size and golf head style all need to be considered. Make an appointment, get fitted, and then make an investment in the most important piece of equipment in your golf bag.”
And after that, you know what to do – hit it by putting on the green BEFORE range of motion.
