Five Secrets to Golfing Like a Pro

You may not be a pro, but that doesn’t mean you can’t golf like one. It takes more than just practice to master the art of a long curling putt or an amazing shot. These five secrets will have you making tour-quality shots in no time.

1. Stay Focused.

Picture a set of train tracks between you and the hole. The clubface should be on the outer track, while your shoulders, feet and hips stay on the inner track. The ball should be positioned based on the club number you are using. For a 5-iron hit, place the ball slightly ahead of the center. For a right-handled golfer, this would mean that the ball is placed towards your left foot. When using clubs with smaller club numbers, use your driver to shift the ball forward. When properly placed, the ball should rest near the left heel. If using a higher-numbered club, move the ball back. Once the ball has been positioned and the club is in place, slightly bend your knees over your shoestrings as though you were going to do a complete squat.

As you begin your swing, ensure that your weight is even distributed on each leg. When you draw the club back, shift more weight to your right side. As you swing the club through the ball, shift the weight to your left leg.

2. Use the Right Equipment.

When it comes to choosing the right golf clubs, keep in mind that all clubs are not created equally. For example, Bob Parsons Xtreme Golf Irons are specially crafted using exotic, high-performance alloys. When shopping for clubs, try to stay away from the one-size-fits-all mentality. Focus on finding a club that matches your unique shape, size and swinging skills. A complete set of clubs should include clubs with various lengths, lofts, weights and lie angles. When a club is too heavy, too light or too long, it prevents you from consistently delivering a square impact. When the lie angle is wrong, it can lead to a pull or push, no matter how perfect your swing is.

3. Keep a Steady Grip.

Many amateur golfers make the mistake of not properly gripping the club. By holding the club in their palm, it becomes difficult to snap through the ball. This can often lead to a slice. For right-handed golfers, use your left hand to align the club directly over the place where your fingers meet the hand. When does correctly, this should leave your thumb pointing directly down the shaft. Shift your right hand over it, leaving your right palm laying over your left thumb.

For golfers with short fingers, try linking your left index finger with the last finger on your right hand. For longer fingers, allow them to overlap. Always ensure that the V between the index finger and right thumb is pointing straight up your arm and towards your right shoulder. Last, but not least, remember not to over-grip the club. Gripping too tightly can prevent your swing from reaching its full potential.

4. Identify your Trigger.

While a golf swing may look like one smooth motion, it actually consists of three parts. The first of these parts is the trigger. A trigger is some subtle movement that leads you into the swing. This transition movement is designed to help golfers enter a swing from a complete standstill. Triggers might include things like shifting your weight to the left foot, using an index finger to press into a club handle or any other subtle movement that works for you without compromising your form.

The second part consists of two movements. While it may sound silly, try reciting the phrase “I’m a…golfer” as you enter the swing. The first part of the phrase indicates the pace of the backswing. The last word represents the downswing and follow-through. This is important because it can prevent you from swinging the club too quickly.

Lastly, tuck your arms at your sides as though you were attempting to hold towels under them. When properly placed, a triangle should be formed between your shoulders and the grip. As you draw the clubhead back, be sure not to over-stretch. Allow the knees to shift forward and begin the downsizing. Let your hips swivel as you follow through.

5. Learn to Read the Break.

Once you have entered the green, take a moment to read the break before you start your putt. Pay special attention to the cup. When playing in the afternoon or evening, one side of the cup will always appear more used than the other. This likely means that a majority of the balls being played that day are breaking into that side. Another sign to look out for is shiny grass. This typically means that you are down-grain and likely signals that the balls will break more quickly in the direction of the grass. Dark green grass signals that you are striking against the grain which means slower putts.

Learning to golf like a pro is easier than you think. Pay attention to these 5 secrets and you will be well on your way to becoming a golfing superstar.