Like most sports, golf is competitive. The goal isn’t just to have fun and improve your skills. For many people, the goal is to also win the game. There’s no better dopamine rush than getting the highest score and ultimately taking the gold!
As much as well all want to be winners, that isn’t always possible. Some people are just naturally more gifted when it comes to sports like golf. For others, it takes many years to transform from a beginner to an advanced player.
Speaking of golf, if you’re classified as a high handicapper, consider the following tips to lower your handicap.
1. Play with players better than yourself.
It sounds like the opposite of what a high handicapper should do, but it’s a good idea to play with players who are better than yourself if you wish to lower your handicap. Why? Playing with skilled players encourages you to do better as you won’t want to hurt your reputation. Not to mention, you could learn a few things by observing them.
2. Opt for the right equipment.
When you were a kid playing on your school’s soccer team, you made sure you got the right-sized cleats and shin guards. When you went shopping for school clothes, your parents made sure to buy your clothing that would fit you. So, why choose golf equipment that doesn’t suit your capabilities?
With the best golf wedge for high handicappers, you might just find your golf handicap decreasing quicker than you ever imagined.
3. Focus on the shot you’re playing right now.
The practice of mindfulness is critical in just about any area of life, including playing golf. An example of mindfulness in golf is when the player up to swing focuses on the very shot they’re about to make at the present moment. A good golf player won’t worry about future shots or even past shots; the one they’re about to make should grasp all of their attention.
Why is this important? When your focus is on past or future shots, you’ll find yourself anxious about the shot you’re about to make next. In turn, your performance might go down.
4. Get help from a golf trainer.
There’s no shame in asking for help. Sometimes asking another person for help can be the best thing we ever do for ourselves. That being said, why not elect the assistance of a professional golf trainer or another individual who excels in golf? You could certainly learn a thing or two from them, all while receiving great feedback on things you might be doing incorrectly.
5. Practice, practice, practice.
They say practice makes perfect. The way they say it makes it seem like such an easy and speedy process. In reality, improving from practice can take months or even years. Either way, practicing your golfing skills is an absolute must. You can’t simply practice “whenever you feel like it;” you must practice regularly and consistently, no matter how discouraged you may be.
Conclusion
Nobody wants to be considered a high handicapper when it comes to golf. However, we can’t help how we initially start out. We can, though, work our way up to become a better and more skilled golf player overall. From choosing the right equipment to practicing as much as possible, there are many ways you can lower your handicap as a beginner golf player.