Golf Handicap Ideas

Considerations

• In his guide for quickly lowering your handicap, instructor Dave Pelz says the first step in scoring better on the course is determining what part of your game is giving you the most trouble. As you play, pay attention to your habits. Are you regularly in the rough off the tee? Can you never seem to sink those big putts? Once you've seen what areas of the game are really giving you trouble, you can set to work fixing your issues.

Off the Tee

• Getting your tee shot safely into the fairway will put you in much better position to lower your score. Golf instructor Dave Pelz suggests amateur players consider using whatever club will put you in the fairway, not relying solely on your driver. A few less yards off the tee isn't nearly as bad as being in the woods. Pelz also suggests aiming down the right side of the fairway if your shots draw or hook, or down the left side of the fairway if your shots fade or slice. This will give you a bit more leeway if your shot goes off course.

On the Green

• Golfers spend more time on the greens than any other part of the course, so it's important not to waste strokes there. Pelz warns that most amateurs lose a lot of strokes by leaving putts short and not playing enough break. Pelz tells his students to try to roll putts high and long off the hole with consistency to get a better read on just how hard to hit the shot and how much break to play.

Mental Preparation

• A round of golf is just as much mental as it is physical. When heading out on the course, you'll want to have a clear game plan. Think about each hole and how you should attack it. Once you're out there, take each shot one at a time and don't try to do too much. If you have a bad hole, let it go and just focus on doing better on the next one.