Every golfer is looking for ways to improve their game. However, sometimes it’s the most obvious thing that you need to work on that can completely change your skill set. This guide will look at the six best ways to improve your golf game. Give them a go yourself and see what difference it can make to your golfing experience.

Get your eyes checked

There are two areas of focus here: visual acuity and eye dominance:

• Visual acuity is the sharpness of the image you see on the golf course. The better your visual acuity, the more clearly you will be able to read the green and judge distances.
• Eye dominance is simply which eye you use to focus on distant objects. Everyone has a dominant eye, so it’s important to know which one it is in order to take full advantage of it while practising. Use your non-dominant eye for range finding and your dominant eye to line up the ball, as this will help you make a more consistent swing.

You should get these factors checked out before you give up the game completely. You might just need new glasses.

Get fit for your putter

A putter that feels comfortable and allows you to make good contact with the ball is massively important. If you’re struggling to consistently get it close to the hole, try a different model or brand of putter. You need something that feels natural in your hands. The best way to find out is to go and try some different putters at your local golf store.

Use training aids to improve your swing speed

You can use training aids such as weighted clubs or momentum trainers to build up strength and learn correct movement patterns. These tools are available cheaply or for free at all golf clubs. They’re a great way to get stronger without going to the gym.

One example is a momentum trainer, which is a metal rod with resistance bands attached. You hold the rod behind you and swing it forward, allowing the momentum to build up until your whole body is moving through impact. This works on both swing speed and force application, so it will improve your game no end.

Walk more and sit less

Golf is a fantastic way to get out and enjoy the natural world, but too many golfers fail to take advantage of this. As well as taking your clubs for a walk down to the local course, avoid driving everywhere or taking cabs when you could cycle to the next tee. It’s good for your fitness and reduces carbon emissions.

Take some time off

Taking a break from the game and returning to it after two months can help you fill in some of the holes in your game. Use this time away from the course to practice your approach shots or any other aspect that is lacking in your current skill set. Sometimes you just need some time away from the course to fix your game. Put your feet up, watch some TV, and visit Lucky Nugget Casino for some great fun. 

Swing more at home

Without a target to aim for, you can practice your swing at home. This might seem like an odd idea, but many professionals have small training areas in their homes where they spend hours working on new parts of their game. You can create your own home range with some tees, balls, and a couple of hours to kill.

The above article was originally published by our partner, National Club Golfer.

The article below was written by Andrew Wright, Instruction Editor of National Club Golfer.

Here are some tips to get you through if you’re out on the course and the heavens open.

Up and down the country, courses have been subjected to ridiculous amounts of rainfall. However, if this isn’t enough to deter you, we’ve got some advice on how to play golf in the rain which could see you rewarded for your bravery…

How to play golf in the rain: Mud balls

Ah, the dreaded mud ball. We hear about them all the time but how do they impact your golf?

For starters, if your ball is coated in any amount of mud, you can be sure it won’t fly as far and the flight will be less consistent.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what you can expect…

Mud on left side: Ball will curve to the right

Mud on right side: Ball will curve to the left

Mud at contact point: Distance will be greatly impacted

Generally, the more mud on the ball, the more distance you’ll lose. This is due to the increased drag effect and the extra weight the club has to accelerate.

It’s far from ideal but take this knowledge to the course this winter and hopefully you’ll be better equipped when you find yourself in this unfortunate situation.

How to play golf in the rain: Wet clubface on wet ball

When you’ve got water on your clubface and ball, the friction created at contact is greatly reduced. Generally, this will result in shots that launch higher with less spin and land on a steeper angle. Therefore, it’s essential you keep your clubs as dry as possible.

It may sound counter-intuitive but hitting the ball lower is your best bet, especially with the driver. The shallower landing will maximise roll and therefore reduce the chances of getting the mud ball. And the process of hitting the ball lower will help you create more spin and counteract the impact of the reduced friction caused by the presence of water. This will increase the control you have in these difficult conditions.

How to play golf in the rain: Course management

It goes without saying but you’ll get less roll on a wet course. Accommodate for this by hitting putts firmer and altering shot choices around the greens. Instead of the bump and run, higher trajectory short game shots will be more effective as they reduce the impact of surface moisture.

And if being in the rough wasn’t penalty enough, in wet conditions, the grass becomes much denser and therefore harder to escape from. I find it helps to go down the grip slightly, keep your left wrist firm and feel like you’re trying to hit a fade out of there.

How to play golf in the rain: Final thoughts

To add insult to injury, rain is often accompanied by an increase in humidity, wind and a drop in temperature – all things that decrease distance further. If this is the case, it’s important to factor in as well.

Other than that I’d advise ensuring the basics are covered. Wet weather gloves are a must – FootJoy excel in this department – as are good waterproofs and shoes. If you’ve taken the decision to play in the rain, you may as well make it worthwhile.