When you’re trying to break a scoring streak, it can sometimes feel like the odds are stacked against you. But with some helpful information and some pictures in your back pocket, you’ll be better prepared to navigate the course.
Before we get into the photos you need, let’s look at some stats from Arccos player data.
The chart below highlights the score differences between a 5 handicapper and a 10 handicapper.
5 handicap vs 10 handicap: points split
Arcos
As you can see above, birds surprisingly make up a very small portion of the results from both groups. However, pars, bogeys and doubles seem to be where the rubber meets the road. On average, 5-handicappers made two more pars per round than their 10-handicapper counterparts. Lower handicappers also made 1.3 fewer bogeys and doubles.
When you think about it, two bogeys and two doubles are all that’s stopping you from lowering your scores, which is more doable than you might think.
So how can you convert those bogeys and doubles into better scores? Tracking your stats it’s a great way to know what areas to work on, but there are also some key pictures you can develop to get yourself on track.
A free wayfinding machine
Using a driver on a par-4 or par-5 is usually the smartest play as it gives you the most distance off the tee and gives you the best chance of hitting the green in two. But amateurs often lose this advantage and leave their driver in the bag for fear of losing the fairway or going out of bounds.
Fortunately, you can use these four fixes by Mike Adams to develop a reliable tee shot that finds the short grass every time.
Aim for a fade
The first step to creating your fairway finder drive is to aim for the side of the fairway that allows you to fade the ball back to the center of the fairway.
Stay closer to the ball
According to Adams, standing two inches closer to the ball encourages your arms and body to work together, creating more spin in your swing. This increased spin allows your body to launch up and open the clubface at impact, generating the fade ball flight you just decided on.
You drop the ball
Slowing down the ball promotes a steeper landing, which Adams says encourages you to hit it. This creates a steeper angle of attack, resulting in a low, penetrating ball flight that tends to fade and is more controllable.
Turn on your lead leg
Turning in or opening your lead leg slightly makes it easier for your body to rotate downward and open your hips toward the target at impact.
Put it all together and with a little practice, you’ll have created your own stock drive.
“Magic” approach shot.
According to Arcco data released on a last blog postEvery golfer has a “magic number,” or a distance they can hit the green from about 50 percent of the time. Below you can find your magic number based on your handicap.
20 handicaps: 92 meters
15 handicaps: 110 meters
10 handicaps: 129 meters
5 handicaps: 147 meters
Scratch Golfer: From 165 meters
So how does this help you? Well, it works twofold. First, it helps you adjust your expectations when you’re on the course and should give you a boost of confidence when you’re able to hit the green from a distance outside of your magic number.
It also allows you to practice and play to your strengths. Now, you can work smarter on the range by spending more time hitting shots at your magic number distance or inside. And, if you’re really smart, you’ll put your magic number on the par-5 to increase your chances of making par, or even birdie if you’re really called.
A fair shot
Your “magic number” will only get you to the green about half the time, and your chances are even slimmer if you’re outside of that perfect distance. Which means fine-tuning your short game is essential if you want to be the odd one out or better every time you miss the green. And a great way to do that is to develop a great putt around the green, like a crash and run or this basic chip by Erika Larkin.
Once you understand the mechanics, it all comes down to practice. The more you work on your putt, the better your distance control will be, which means more par-saves and more confidence around the green.
Bunker shot “with one swing”.
Getting bunker shots on the first try will greatly reduce the amount of doubles you make due to greenside mistakes. And, it’s easier than you think. Just remember these simple sand keys from 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell.
1. Open your club face to the target
This exposes the jump and helps you avoid digging the leading edge into the sand. Just remember to open the clubface before placing your hands on the club.
2. Forward weight
Campbell says to get about 80 percent of your weight on your lead side and maintain that 80-20 balance throughout the movement. This will help you rotate around a fixed point and avoid flickering during your swing.
3. Aim slightly to the left of the target
4. Dig in your feet
Campbell explains that this helps lower your center of gravity, increasing your stability.
5. Insert the sand two to three centimeters behind the ball
To practice this, draw a line in the sand where your ball position would be and another line about two to three inches behind it. Now, take a few practice swings trying to connect the two lines with your split. If you did it right, you will delete both lines.
6. Move your weight forward through leverage
Remember to end up on your front foot to avoid hanging back in your swing.
