Make use of your time at home and improve your golf game.  There are many activities, drills, and even games that you can practice or play in your living room or backyard. 

And while there are amazing new golf training aids and gadgets available on the market today, there are also many ways to be creative with what you already have at home.  

To get you started, here is a list of my favorite Golf Training Aids For the Home

Practice These Key Golf Areas At Home 

Putting

Putting is one of the best ways to improve your golf game.  

They say “putt for dough” for a reason.  

And the great thing about putting practice indoors is this. 

• It doesn’t take up that much room.
• You can do it anytime.
• All you need is a putter, something to putt on and a target.

Find a Place to Putt

Any flooring surface inside your home.  Carpet, kitchen floor, hardwood floor or a putting mat.  This is a great way to figure out speed and roll on any surface.

2nd – Find  a Target

A cup laid sideways is the simplest.  

You can also use a metal ball mark or quarter which makes it really challenging because it is so small. 

I also like flat rubber jar openers, about 4 inches in diameter (same size as a golf hole).   Jar Openers.

When you are sitting around your living room watching TV or on your electronics, or need a small break, every now and then get up and roll some putts in – guess what?  That counts as practice and can have a huge effect on your score!   

Putting Drills and Games at Home

1. Tee Bowling – Set up 10 tees in a small triangle shape – like bowling pins.  That is your target and the object is to knock all tees over for a strike.  You can score like you do in bowling or keep it simple.
2. 5 in a Row – I learned this recently from my local golf pro during a putting lesson.  Start at 3 feet away, make 5 putts before moving back a couple of feet.  Repeat this until you miss.  Once you miss, start back at 3 feet away.  This puts pressure and makes for lots of putting practice.  

Best Putting Practice Training Accessories

Here is a list of the best putting training aids and gadgets for the home or office that are available.

Putt Out Putt Trainer

Last year, my husband surprised us with this putt trainer.  My putting improved exponentially after using this. 

What I especially like is that it is designed to tell you the speed of your putt.  After you roll it in, and it rolls back to you, that is the distance it would have rolled past the hole.  

It also is foldable so you can take it with you anywhere – easier to practice those putts!

Putt Out Pro Golf Putting Mat 

The same company designed a putting mat with lines that can help keep your putts straight and accurate.  

Perfect Practice Putting Mat

Or if, you don’t want to purchase a putting mat plus a putt trainer, you can buy the Perfect Practice Putting Mat all in one. Use discount code LYNNLINKS15 for 15% off your entire order.  I just got this and use it year round.  It looks nice too for the home or office.  Also endorsed by Pro Golfer, Dustin Johnson.  For more detailed info, read my perfect practice putting mat full review.

Sometimes our eyes can deceive us and having these lines can dramatically help with the alignment of your putts.  Both these putting mats have distance markings and target points.

Putt Out Mirror System

The benefit of this training tool is getting instant feedback and knowledge of how you are actually hitting or striking the ball with your putter face.  This tool can have a big impact on your putting stroke.

PuttOut Pro Putting Gates

These are fun and useful putting drills you can do at home and setup wherever you want.  Use these PuttOut Gates to improve your alignment, line, and speed.  What I like about these is that they come in a pack of 3 different sizes which can add to the challenge.

Chipping Practice At Home 

Chipping around the greens and pitching from within 50 yards is all about feel. 

As golfers, this is also an integral part of the game where strokes can really add up. 

It’s the worst feeling when you are just off the green and then shank or skull the next shot past the green. 

Practice these shots at home in your backyard or even inside the house and increase your confidence with these shorter shots. (may want to use whiffle or foam balls inside though!)

As long as you have a target, you can practice these shots in your yard, in an old field or off of a basic turf mat. 

Find a place to Practice Chipping

Inside Your Family Room, Basement.  Backyard, Ball Field or Park

2nd – Find a Target

This is important because you can practice these shots for muscle memory, but it is so much better if you have a target to aim at.  It also is so much more fun, otherwise it can get boring.  You can use just about anything:

• painter’s bucket
• regular bucket
• chipping nets
• cornhole game board
• golf hole with flag

3rd – Find a type of Practice Ball

Depending on how much damage you can do inside or outside, decide whether you should be using a golf ball, whiffle ball, or foam ball.  

Whiffle Balls

Foam Golf Balls

These are a good idea if there are windows, cars, people nearby or you are inside the house. I actually use these foam balls in my living room, chipping up and over the couch.  

Chipping Games and Drills at Home:

Make a chipping game with your family.  My brother-in-law has a whole bunch of old golf wedges and breaks them out at backyard parties.  He has a little 5 hole course around the perimeter of his house using random landmarks and targets.   Feel free to keep score too like we do – everyone will have a blast!

Using a chipping mat, play cornhole with a cornhole game board using whiffle balls.  Or find one online like this BattleChip Game or Chippo Golf Game further below which is specifically for golf and comes with a mat and game board.  

There are many creative ways to “practice” golf without having to head to the actual golf driving range or course.    

Chipping Drills and Practice Accessories

GoSports Tri-Turf Golf  Mat

My husband loves his lawn and spends a good deal of time making it look really nice.  The last thing he wants is for me to make divots in our yard.  So, having a mat that you can use for chipping or hitting golf balls is really important.  This one has 3 different lengths of turf.

Callaway Golf Chipping Net

 GoSports Chipster – Chipping Practice Nets 

Chippo Golf Game

Practicing the Full Golf Swing In Your Backyard or In Your Home

We all love to practice our drives and fairway shots, at least I do!

As long as you have a backyard, basement, or available area that you can take a full swing, there are numerous ways to practice your golf swing around the house. 

Muscle memory is important for any sport. This includes golf as well. 

A couple of ways to practice the golf swing at home include:

Increasing swing speed

The Superspeed Training System is a proven way to increase distance off the tee and your fairway shots. Without even picking up an actual golf club, improvements such as increasing swing speed and swing tempo or rhythm can be worked on. 

I also read recently on Golf.com, who had a great suggestion using a broom to help increase your swing speed.  Looks like you need a broom, a pillow or a weighted blanket. Click here for the article.

Help with Golf Muscle Memory

Using the foam golf balls, you can practice inside or in your backyard without a golf net.  Even practicing with these lighter balls provides a great way to practice shots and muscle memory.

Golf Posture and Form

Videotape your swing and make sure your posture and form are where they should be.  You can also try practicing your swing in front of a mirror.  It’s funny how you can spot things when you see yourself in action.  

Work on the Golf Grip

They say that there are 3 basic areas of importance in the golf swing.  Grip, Stance, Posture.  You can easily work on the grip anywhere.  Ben Hogan’s Book “Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons: The Modern Fundamentals of Golf” delves into this and so much more.  Even though this book was published years ago, golfers are still reading and referencing it today.

Golf Swing Training & Accessories for Home Practice

Galileo Golf  Net

This is a great net to have in your backyard or in your house if you have space.  I like the side netting and the depth of the net just in case any balls aren’t quite as straight as you’d like them to be.  I also like the large bullseye, for some reason, it is a great visual to have when hitting your golf shots.

Rukket Golf Net with Golf Mat

The Rukket Golf Net doesn’t look quite as fancy as the one above, but it is easy to set up and seems to be very sturdy.  Great for hitting golf balls at home for practice.

Orange Whip Trainer

Many golf course driving ranges have these training aids to help you warm up before your round of golf.  They also can provide help with your swing and improve rhythm and tempo, both very important components in golf.  

Golf Fitness at Home

A strong body is needed for golf.   Golf practice is important, but so is golf fitness and keeping your body strong so you can play your best. 

Having the ability to stay focused with enough stamina for the round will help bring more enjoyment to your game and provide a competitive advantage when needed.  

Read my post here about being golf fit focusing on core and strength, the base of good fitness.  The great thing about these exercises is that they don’t need a lot of extra gym equipment.  Much of these exercises and movements can be done anywhere.

Creative Ways to Practice Golf

These ideas are just a small list of golf activities, practice, and training that can be done at home and how you can incorporate some fun in these activities.    

These can be helpful when short on time, stuck at home, or can’t get to the practice range on a particular day.  

I’d love to hear any other ideas for golf practice you can do in your house that you currently do or is helpful. 

I’m sure there are some really interesting ones out there ;).

Quick Recap of Home Golf Training Aids and Gadgets

Putting Practice At Home

• Putt Out Putt Trainer
• Putting Mat
• Perfect Practice Putting Mat
• Putt Mirror System
• Putting Gates

Chipping Practice At Home

• GoSports Tri-Turf Golf  Mat
• Callaway Golf Chipping Net
• GoSports CHIPSTER – 3 Chipping Practice Nets 
• Chippo Golf Game – Fun for the Backyard or Inside

Full Swing Practice At Home

• Superspeed Training System
• Galileo Golf  Net
• Rukket Golf Net with Golf Mat
• Orange Whip Trainer

Related:

Golf Fitness – 3 Key Areas to Prepare for Your Best Golf Season

How to Drastically Improve Your Handicap and Golf Game

Free Golf Guide and Subscribe Here

Best Tips and Suggestions For Golf Practice At Home

The post Best Tips for Golf Practice In the Backyard or At Home appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

When fall and winter arrive, you don’t necessarily have to put your clubs away.

I used to feel sad when the colder temperatures arrived here in New England.  Then, I heard about a group of golfers that actually golf throughout the winter. Unless there is snow on the ground that prevents them from golfing, they are out there every week playing through cold. Talk about hardy die hard golfers!

What I have learned though, over the years living in the colder north is that there are ways to stay warm, and so I thought I could probably continue playing golf at least through the fall and parts of the winter.

The most important tip is being prepared and knowing what to expect.

And honestly, if I can do it, you can do it.

I grew up in Hawaii, so cold is not something I absolutely love.  For years, I was a fair-weather golfer but as I have become more passionate about golf, I have learned to adapt and play golf in cold weather.

My husband has a saying, “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear”.

So true!

Below are the 9 essential tips on how you can be as prepared as possible to play golf in the cold weather and continue to enjoy this amazing game.

9 Ways to Play Golf When the Temperatures Drop

1.  Layer Up With Cold Weather Winter Golf Apparel

As the cooler temperatures dip, layering up is key to being prepared.

Upper Body

Having multiple layers allows you to adjust your comfort level depending on how cold it is. It may be cold earlier in the morning and get warmer during the round.  Taking off or adding a layer while outside in the elements is going to make a big difference in how you feel.

For me, especially later in the Fall, I like to wear a long-sleeve athletic base layer.  You can wear this layer under a vest, or jacket, or even under a collared golf shirt.

There are all kinds of activewear these days with innovative materials. 

I like the North Face lightweight vest because it isn’t too puffy or bulky and allows you to move your arms freely.  This can be worn alone or with a jacket or coat on top.

The jacket or coat on top will depend on how cold it is outside. 

A light fleece jacket tech golf jacket like below works well for a fall crisp day.

If you need one final layer for winter golf, I like to wear a soft down jacket with not too much bulk.

The upper body is important to keep warm, but layers help to keep yourself warm, comfortable, and swinging as freely as possible.

Lower Body

Wearing the right pair of golf pants will help keep your bottom half cozy and warm.

If you want a pair of fleece-lined athletic pants that are comfortable to move around in, my favorite all-time are these fleece-lined women’s winter pant which are great for golf, hiking, dog walking, and snow shoveling!

2.  Keep Your Hands, Feet, Head and Ears Warm.

What I have experienced playing golf in the cold is that my fingers and toes are the first to get cold.  If you are walking, the exercise will most certainly help, but the worst is when your hands are too cold to grip the golf club.

These winter golf gloves specifically made for playing golf have been great for me.  They were a little snug, so I’d go up a size.  They also come in standard black but also a few different fun patterns.

Also, I highly recommend bringing hand warmers, which can be stored easily in your golf bag when you need them.

Here is what really saved the day for me on the colder days when the fingers start to get too cold.

Golf mittens that attach to the pushcart so my hands are kept toasty and warm while walking.  Oh yeah, this was a game-changer.  The biggest thing for me when playing golf in the winter is my hands. If they become too cold, I don’t like to play. These mittens keep your hands warm while pushing your cart between shots.

Wearing a winter hat, well that is a must for everyone.  Heat can be lost through your head if it is unprotected.

I like to have a winter hat with a visor to keep the sun out of my eyes. TrailHeads Fleece Ponytail Cap with Dropdown Ear Warmer is a hat that perfectly combines keeping your head warm while protecting your eyes from the sun’s glare.

Keeping these extremities warm is very important to your winter golf enjoyment.

3.  Walk the Course.

It will not only feel great to walk because you will be getting exercise, but it will also get the blood flowing and keep you warmer.

Most courses won’t have electric or motorized carts available through the winter months, so you will have to resort to walking anyway.

4.  Practice Different Shots.

This is the perfect time to experiment with different shots on the course.  Since there are usually temporary tee boxes and greens, the distances and yardages will be different than what you are used to playing on the same course during the golf season.

So, why not practice your short game during this time.

A fun way is to measure the distance to the temporary pin or hole and try to get the ball as close to the pin as possible without much roll.  This can help your short game tremendously in determining the exact distances or carry for each of your wedges.

5.  Be sure to stretch. 

Because of the colder air, your body won’t be as flexible and the bulkiness of having extra layers on, may not allow you to have as much flexibility.

It is really important to do warm-up exercises and stretches to get the body looser. Golf is all about being loose and free, but winter golf tightens you up. Exercises to help you loosen up will help your golf game and may even help prevent any cold-related injuries.

6.  Socialize.

Bring a friend or several friends so you can catch up, socialize, and have a good time. It’s always more fun with companions.

In golf, groups are limited to four people. However, once the courses shut down and add temporary tee boxes or greens, it is a much more laid-back round. In fact, with so few golfers on the course, I have seen groups of five, or even six people just golfing around. The more the merrier, especially during the offseason when you aren’t really holding anyone up.

Schedule a weekly tee time/meet-up so that you are held accountable to others.  Otherwise it can become much harder to get out the door. Many times, when we are inside our warm homes, it’s easier to come up with excuses than to go outside in the freezing cold and golf.

7.  Be Flexible.

Play 9 or 18 holes and be flexible as it will be dependent on how cold it feels once you are out playing. If you end up being too cold, don’t keep playing. It is not worth it to be uncomfortable. It is best to go inside and get warm.

8.  Bring a nice hot beverage in a warming thermos or water bottle. 

I have been on the fields many times for my children’s soccer games in the freezing cold. Having a nice warm beverage to drink can help warm the insides. There are many heated water bottles that keep a beverage warm for over 8 hours.

9.  Lower your expectations and have fun.

The cold air affects the distance the ball will travel and the golf ball will not go as far as it would in the warmer weather.

Place and lift the ball as needed, and don’t worry about your score.

In the colder regions, the official handicap program is closed after a certain date so scores can’t be entered.

Most importantly, have fun. You’ll be happy you went out and will appreciate it when spring comes!

Preparation is key in playing golf in the winter season.

Follow these great tips and strategies on how to play golf in the fall and winter.

The best way to combat this and to have the most enjoyment is to prepare with the right layers and gear and the right mindset.

If you are a winter golfer and know how to brave the cold and play golf through the winter months, I’d love to hear from you.  Comment below with any other great tips!

And be sure to subscribe to the newsletter below for the latest posts and articles related to this most amazing game.

Related Posts

First Tee Jitters?  Conquer Your Nerves on the Golf Course

How to Improve Your Handicap and Golf Game

Golf Fitness – Key Areas to Prepare for a Great Golf Season

Weight Loss and Golf – How To Lose The Weight Playing Golf 

World Amateur Golf Championship – WAGC

9 Ways to Play Your Best Winter Golf

The post 9 Ways to Play Your Best Winter Golf appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

A typical round of golf that has 18 holes takes a little over four hours. Some courses may play faster and some slower depending on many different factors. It varies from about 3 1/2 – 5 hours.

My home course takes about 4 hours and I am happy when I can finish in the allotted or suggested timeframe. My friends down south in Florida play on a relatively flat course where riding carts are required. A typical round at their course takes 3 1/2 hours at most.

In my many years of playing golf, the fastest 18-hole round I played was 2 hours 40 minutes and that was me walking with a pushcart playing solo golf with no one ahead of me. The longest round I have played was in the 6-hour range and it was a long, slow day with a lot of waiting on the course.

There are many factors for the length of time which includes everything from the type and length of the golf course to how busy the course is for the day.

Factors That Affect How Long It Takes to Play an 18 Hole Round of Golf

Type of Golf Course

The type of golf course will absolutely affect the time it takes to play.

Courses that tend to be shorter in length and less challenging than a traditional 18 hole golf course will usually take a shorter amount of time to play.

These shorter courses include Par 3 and Executive golf courses. Par 3 courses have 9 holes and sometimes even a full 18 holes. Each hole is only a par 3. Executive golf courses have par 3’s, par 4’s, and maybe a par 5. These also only consist of 9 holes and are played twice to get an 18-hole round in.

These tend to be easier than a traditional 18 hole golf course, especially if the 18 hole course is a championship golf course.

If comparing public or municipal golf courses to private golf courses, many of the private courses will be longer in length, but not always.

You can look at the course scorecard to see the total number of yards each set of tees plays to get a good idea of the overall length.

Difficulty or Layout of the Golf Course

Even traditional 18 hole courses can vary in many ways including how challenging it plays. And this will have an effect on the time it takes to play.

Challenging courses will bring higher scores, more trouble, more hazards, and more lost balls which all contribute to more time on the course.

You can try to find out how challenging a course plays by the slope rating on the scorecard, but according to this Golf Digest article, the slope doesn’t really have any bearing on the pace of play.

It has more to do with the “playability” of the course as mentioned in the previous paragraph.

For example, are the holes surrounded by bunkers, are there fescue and trees where balls can get lost with narrow fairways?

If so, these all reduce playability and will likely increase the amount of time it takes to play at this particular course.

A few years ago with the new rules changes, the USGA and R&A decreased the official time to find lost golf balls from 5 minutes to 3 minutes. The reason for this change was to help decrease the amount of time golfers take to search and hunt for their lost golf ball. Hoping to help with the pace of play for all golfers.

Weather

Weather can impact the amount of time spent on a golf course. Hot temperatures might make for a slower round especially if walking or pushing a cart.

Rain and thunderstorms might cause delays or pauses in play as well. Sirens on a golf course will sound if there is lightning in the area bringing all golfers on the course back to the clubhouse until it is safe to play. This can cause a long delay as golfers are not allowed to head back out for at least 20 – 30 minutes after lightning has been observed.

Riding or Walking

Walkers pushing a cart are typically slower than golfers riding in carts.

Now, having said that – I admit there are some very fast golfers who push their cart and walk, especially on my course. But for the most part, riding in a cart will be a quicker round. It is why most charity tournaments or golfing events and tournaments might require riding carts to be used…to keep the pace of play moving and quicken up the time for all groups out on the course.

Hills, Mountains and Elevation

A course that is situated up in the mountains, has a good number of hills, or a good amount of elevation changes or elevated greens will play a lot longer. And especially if golfers are walking.

We just played an 18 hole golf course up in the mountains in Maine and the tee boxes were a good distance from the previous greens. Walking this course would have taken 6+ hours. Luckily, it was set up and designed to be a riding course and even with that, the standard pace for this course was a 4 1/2 hour round.

Ranger

Many golf courses especially public courses, will utilize rangers out on the course. A ranger’s main responsibility is to inform slow groups to pick up the pace. This helps to keep golfers moving along at a decent pace of play.

If a golf course utilizes a ranger to move things along, pace of play may be faster. If not, it could be a long round as one slower than usual group might start a backlog of waiting groups behind them. Especially on a busy weekend day or holiday.

Clocks on Carts

More and more golf courses are utilizing pace clocks on the digital screen of their riding carts. These screens show the time of day, the actual pace of play the group is on, and whether you are ahead of schedule or behind schedule, and by how much.

When golfers are out on a course for a 3 1/2 – 4 1/2 hour round, it can be hard to know whether they are on pace. The only way is by keeping up with the group in front of them and making sure the group behind is not waiting an exceptionally long time.

However, these clocks that track pace are a great way to help golfers be alerted if they are on pace or not.

Planning to Play? Don’t Forget to Factor in Other Time Factors When Playing Golf

Besides the actual time it takes to play a round of golf, it is important to factor in additional time. This is why golf can be a full-day affair.

My most recent round of golf was a 9 hour day from the time we left our house to the time we returned.

This included travel time to and from the course, pre-round preparation, actual playing time, and dinner. We were tired and happy when we got home, but it was a long day.

1. Travel time to and from the golf course.

Don’t forget to account for the time it takes to travel to and from the golf course.

2. Pre-round preparation and practice.

Golfers typically like to arrive 30 minutes to an hour early to do all their pre-round preparation, socializing and warm-up needed before playing their round. This might include getting their bag situated, grabbing all their needed items, checking in at the pro shop, and hitting a few balls at the range, or putting green.

3. 19th hole

Many golfers enjoy kicking back and socializing at the 19th hole after their round for a few beverages and snacks or might even stay longer to grab a meal like lunch or dinner.

With these additional time factors, it would be a good idea to plan for upwards of at least 5 – 6 hours for your day of playing golf.

Other Related Posts:

Which Tee Box Should You Play From?

Golf Etiquette Guide for Beginners

Golf For Beginners – How to Get Started

How to Know What Club to Use on the Golf Course

How Long Does It Take to Play 18 Holes of Golf?

The post How Long Does It Take to Play 18 Holes of Golf? appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

The golf swing is a complex and unnatural swing for many people.

Unlike tennis or baseball, where you have the luxury of moving the feet and body to position yourself to
strike the ball, the golf swing necessitates detailed attention to the sequencing of your body’s
movements for best ball striking.

Years of research on the optimal golf swing has identified a very specific “Kinematic Sequence” that
produces an efficient, smooth, and powerful swing. It will vary slightly from person to person, but, in our
mind’s eye, we all know what it looks like.

The question we need to ask ourselves, whether we are a beginner or experienced veteran, is do we
have the body awareness, strength, and mobility to achieve the best, safest, and most efficient kinematic
sequence for our bodies?

This is where golf fitness comes in. While YOU might not know the answer, your golf pro, and golf fitness
expert can help you answer that.

First Step – Ask Your Golf Professional

1. What does he or she identify as an area of your golf swing that needs improvement?
2. Is your golf turn and finish complete?
3. Can you maintain golf posture at address and throughout the swing?
4. Do you overuse your arms (and maybe suffer from chronic, shoulder, or wrist pain)?
5. Do you lack clubhead speed and power?

These are ALL things that can be identified by your golf instructor and then addressed by a golf fitness expert.

As a golf fitness professional, I would personally evaluate you on your golf pros’ recommendation and assess what part of your fitness needs improvement to help your golf swing.

Is it your mobility/flexibility? Is it your core stabilization? Is it strength and power? Is it balance?

Over the last 15 years of training hundreds of golfers, I have focused on several basic golf fitness
hallmarks and programmed simple exercises that are must-do’s for my golf clients.

Just remember that golf fitness does not have to be complicated!

These exercises can be progressed or regressed as needed to fit a golfer’s baseline fitness and golf skills.

The Essential Areas of Golf Fitness

• Strong hips and glutes for power transference and back safety.
• Anterior core stability to protect the back, translate forces from the hips up through the golf club, and cement good golf posture at address and through the entire swing.
• Mid back strength to protect the mobile, but often weak, shoulders and assist in power translation.
• Rotator cuff strength to protect our vulnerable shoulders which take a beating in the golf swing.
• Adequate hip and mid back rotation to create coil and spare the spine.

Top 5 Golf Fitness Exercises for Beginners and Advanced Golfers:

GLUTE BRIDGES

Your glutes are the king of the golf swing as far as transferring forces, getting through the ball, and protecting the low back from overworking.

Exercises that work on hip extension and lateral hip strength and stability are the key to a powerful golf swing.

Glute Bridges (also called Hip Thrusters) when elevated, are a user-friendly way to get your glutes in gear. To get the most out of your glute bridge, push through your heels, engage abdominals to prevent over-arching of the low back, and perform as many reps as you need to feel fatigued. Try a single-leg bridge for more than double the work!

PLANKS

Planks on forearms and other plank variations are very helpful in golf.

Many people misinterpret the role of the abdominals in the golf swing and hence choose abdominal
exercises that may not be what they need for their best golf swing.

Primarily, the abs act as isometric holders of your golf posture and allow for hip and shoulder separation during different phases of the golf swing. Rotation or “twisting” is another role they take on during the swing, but always make sure you work stability ( anti-rotation and anti-extension) in addition to any rotational drills. I love all kinds of rotational drills – but know what you are rotating and why.

Low back? No!

Upper body and whole body pivot- yes!

ROWS & CABLES

Rowing for the mid-back with dumbbells or cable/tubing.

While the glutes and anterior core are the king and queen of the golf swing, the latissimus dorsi and
other mid-back muscles have got to be the princes and princesses.

The mid-back muscles hold the shoulders back and allow for straight posture at address. The mid-back muscles support the highly mobile shoulders, and without mid-back strength, shoulders are at risk of injury.

The lats pull the arms down into the body as in the downswing, so they need to be strong. But the lats also need to be resilient enough to withstand the momentum-driven forces in the follow-through without getting injured.

SHOULDER EXTERNAL ROTATIONS

While the mid-back muscles support a strong swing and assist in power translation, they also support
the very mobile and delicate shoulders.

I say very mobile – well….they should be, anyway!

They should be able to rotate in all directions! And yet, many people have tight shoulders from working at computers or their desks all day.

In the golf swing, external rotation of the humerus is an important movement, and this is driven by a strong rotator cuff. The rotator cuff is actually 4 muscles that hold the arm bone centered in the socket.

Strengthen those tiny muscles to prevent shoulder injuries and optimize the top of your golf swing. Keep the weight or resistance quite low to begin with.

HIP & MID-BACK ROTATION STRETCHES

While it is essential to strengthen the core, mid-back, and legs for a strong resilient golf swing, we still
then obviously need to be able to rotate our mid-back and our hips during various parts of the golf
swing.

This is often where people struggle.

The thoracic spine and the hips get very tight from seated static postures. You’ve got to work on the rotation of these body segments for a full swing and prevent shoulder, elbow, and back injuries. There are many ways to do this, some more complicated and “pretzley” than others.

Pick your poison. I often use a lying side twist to mimic movements of the golf swing and get a full-body rotational stretch. Of course, do both sides always.

Feel how these stretches create the rotation needed for a big backswing and smooth follow-through.

Also, remember, the ability to rotate shoulders while hips are still, and vice versa, demands a strong core to act as an anchor. Rotation will also improve when your abs and glutes are strong.

Simple And Effective Golf Exercises

These are simple but effective exercises for golf fitness and life too! These are just examples. You might
need to regress or progress these depending on your baseline fitness level. I do suggest consulting with
a trainer to assess your baseline fitness level and help you choose the right exercises for you.

About the Author

Kathy Ekdahl, CSCS, of Personal Best Personal Training, is a 35-year career fitness
professional, personal trainer, TPI Golf Fitness Instructor, writer, and yoga instructor. She
currently works at Willowbend Country Club in Mashpee, Massachusetts. Kathy is the author of “Getting
Golf Ready – An Introduction to Golf Fitness and Yoga”. Visit Kathy’s website at: www.personalbestpersonaltraining.com

Golf And Fitness – Tips from a TPI Golf Fitness Instructor

The post Golf And Fitness – Tips from a TPI Golf Fitness Instructor appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

Golfing in hot weather can be dangerous if you are not prepared. I learned a few Summers ago what that was like.

It was not fun as I came home with a parched mouth, a pounding headache, skin that was hot to the touch and some dizziness.

The key I have learned to staying cool and safe and being able to complete a round of golf as comfortably as possible (in 90 + degree heat) is preparation and awareness.

I am much more conscious of any heatwaves that are in the forecast. Crazy as this sounds, when the temperature looks like it will be in the 90 – 100+ degree range, I start a day before preparing.

Here are some tips to staying cool while golfing in a heatwave.

1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

This is by far one of the most important things you can do when playing golf in hot weather.

If you know you are golfing and high temperatures are coming, start hydrating the day before with lots of water.

This provides a good base to start with.

Once you are dehydrated, especially out on the golf course in the heat, it is really hard for your body to catch up.

It is also extremely important to continue hydrating when you are out on the golf course.

In these hot temperatures, I drink at least 32 ounces of water just on the front 9 and refill my water bottle with ice-cold water at the turn.

2. Replenish with Electrolytes

When you sweat, you lose not only water but also salt and electrolytes.

These need to be replenished so your body can function properly. There are many sports drinks on the market like Gatorade that have electrolytes however, these contain a large amount of sugar. If you want to avoid the sugar load, try adding something like Nuun tablets or even as simple as a pinch of sea salt to your water bottle.

These are amazing and I’m not sure how I previously played golf or tennis in hot weather without these!

Nuun Tablets

3. Wear Golf Clothes & Accessories To Keep You Cool

Performance Tech Golf Clothes With UPF 50+

Who wants to be in sticky hot heavy clothing on a hot humid day. Um, no thank you – not me.

Golf clothes have come a long way since I started golfing. Back then I wore heavy cotton pleated khakis and heavy cotton polo shirts. The synthetic fabrics used today are so efficient at keeping golfers much cooler.

To combat the hot temperatures, you can now find loose-fitting, light-colored performance golf clothing. Look for clothing that mentions “wicking”, or “wicks away moisture” or “quick drying”. These are the fabrics that will help keep you dry in hot weather or if you sweat a lot.

I really like the feel of a wicking golf shirt as they are lightweight, really comfortable and is quick drying so sweat doesn’t stick to my skin.

Make sure to select UPF clothing if you can to help with sun protection. Many brands are now offering UPF 30+ sun protection in most of their fabrics.

Golf Skorts and Shorts

A golf skort is such a wonderful addition to golf fashion today. Basically a “skort” is a skirt with built in lightweight or mesh shorts underneath.

You can wear shorts as well, although I personally prefer a skort versus shorts if you are choosing between the two. For me, shorter shorts tend to ride up a bit and longer shorts tend to stick to my skin and are not as breathable or airy as a skort can be.

Trust me, it makes a difference on a hot humid day.

I like the new fabrics on skorts for golfing in hot weather. This Golftini Pull-On Tech Skort is a great example.

If you want something more affordable and light, I wear these Ekouaer skorts on Amazon. In fact, I just purchased about 3 more in different patterns and colors as I love them.

Note: they look a little short here, but they actually fit nicely with enough coverage for golf.

I’ve even worn these skorts off the golf course running errands, going out to lunch and around the house!

Choosing the right skort material is important as these skorts have a nice cool fabric that are not clingy in the heat.

Sun Hats for Golf

Wearing a hat in golf is a must. For sun protection as well as shielding your eyes from the sun’s rays when hitting a golf ball. There are many you can wear, just be sure that on a hot day, you find one that has good airflow.

I purchased a hat once that had a nice wide brim, but the airflow was terrible and my head felt like it was baking underneath. Here’s more on Best Hats for Sun Protection.

Moisture Wicking Socks

Yes, even wearing the right socks can make a difference. Try the tech socks with moisture wicking so your feet stay dry and as cool as can be in your shoes.

Light Breathable Golf Shoes

Golf shoes have come a long way with the many different fabrics you can wear on your feet.

I have a pair of leather golf shoes I wear for wet weather and also a pair of athletic sneaker-type golf shoes from skechers that I love. And the great thing is they have a breathable mesh that keeps my feet a bit more cooler on a hot day.

Mesh or Cabretta Leather Golf Gloves

Wearing a golf glove or 2 golf gloves like I do gets pretty hot in the warmer temperatures.

I like golf gloves that are light, soft, and not as heavy and restrictive. My go-to are gloves made of cabretta leather like these golf gloves by Nailed Golf. This brand also has tipless gloves which can be another way to add breathability.

I have also seen many ladies wearing mesh golf gloves. Here is a good quality mesh glove by Footjoy.

4. Take Shade

Be sure to take cover and find shade when you can. Usually it is when I am waiting for my partners to hit their ball that I look for shady areas nearby.

Shade can provide a nice break from the beating sun and can feel like it’s 10 degrees cooler.

Ride in a Cart

Riding in a cart will provide you a lot of shade. If the temperatures are going to hit 95 or higher, I usually take a riding cart because my course has some hills and not much shade along the course. The breeze from riding in the cart is nice, not having to walk in the high heat, and that you can be partially shaded will help to keep you much cooler.

Carry a Golf Umbrella

If you are walking, try attaching a golf umbrella to your pushcart. It can make a huge difference. Many pushcart brands sell accessories like umbrella attachments. My clicgear brand has this umbrella attachment.

Here is my golf umbrella from Amazon fits well with my pushcart which I just added this year as I’m trying to also be more sun protective.

Having this coverage provides such relief from the sun and makes a huge difference!!

5. Use Cooling Golf Accessories

Cooling Towel

I love and swear by these cooling towels.

I used to live in the Washington DC area of the US, which can get really hot and humid in the summers.

When I discovered these amazing cooling towels, it was a game-changer for me. These are like magic for cooling you off!

I saw someone wearing it around their neck like a scarf on one of the hottest days and come to find out, it was actually cooling them off.

Be sure to soak them with water (the colder the better), wring it out and somehow the airflow with them creates a coolness that is much needed on any hot day.

Golf Coolers

If you are riding in a cart, you have the space to bring a small cooler with extra drinks and ice. The ice is great to have to dip your cooling towel in (above) and to keep your beverages and any snacks cool.

We have one of these cooler bags and it works great.

If you want a more heavy duty cooler that keeps everything cold and even the ice from melting for the whole day (maybe even a couple of days), try a Yeti cooler.

It will last a long time and you can use for other day long activities like camping, hunting, fishing, picnics and boating.

Golf Cart Fans

When you are riding in a cart or walking with a pushcart, bring a long a portable clip fan that you can clip on to your golf cart.

It provides instant air. On a hot humid still day, just a little air flow or slight breeze can have a wonderful cooling effect.

SkyGenius Clip Fan

Golf Cart Seat Covers

Let’s talk about the hot seats of a golf cart. Ouch.

When I am wearing shorts or a skirt, the vinyl golf cart seats can get burning hot and can make you sweat as well.

Enter in golf cart seat covers. I saw a few ladies at the golf course I play using these and I thought “what a great idea”. This particular seat cover one is light for a hot blazing day and is reversible as well for a colder wet day on the golf course.

Classic Accessories Golf Cart Seat Cover

I also recently read about something called “Chilly Cheeks” to help keep your bottom and tush cool. Anything goes when keeping you cool on the golf course!

Chilly Cheeks – Cooling Seat Cushion for a Motorized Riding Golf Cart

Insulated Water Bottle

Bring a water bottle that keeps your water ice cold. It is a great way to keep your body cooler and feeling good on those hot golf days. I swear by my Swell or Yeti water bottles. These are insulated that can keep water cold for your time on the golf course.

I like the Swell bottles when I am walking with a pushcart because they aren’t too bulky or heavy and still keep the water ice cold.

Just put a few pieces of ice in the bottle before your round or during and it will stay that way for hours.

If I am riding in a cart, I take a larger Hydroflask, which is heavier and bulkier, but it holds more water in it. I purchased this for my daughter who was going hiking in Death Valley in 110+ degrees and she was really happy to have had it.

Kept her drink perfectly cold for the whole day.

6. Be Careful and Be Aware of Any Signs or Symptoms

The first time I was hit with heat exhaustion, I was not aware that it could be dangerous.

Be sure to know that if you start feeling the symptoms of heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion, you need to stop playing and go to a cooler place preferably indoors with air conditioning.

Watch for symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, headache, or muscle cramps.

The CDC has a complete list here. It is always better to be on the safe side and to be aware and prepared.

Related Posts:

Best Golf Hats for Sun Protection

Best Golf Shoes for Women

Practice Tips You Can Do At Home

Golfing in Hot Weather

The post Golfing in Hot Weather – 6 Top Ways to Stay Cool & Safe appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

And a couple of weeks later, I played the worst round I’ve had in a long time.

In both situations, I was so high from playing so well and so low when I played so poorly. Crazy what this game can do to your emotional well-being. It’s like an emotional roller coaster.

After playing for many many years, I can attest that golf can be difficult, frustrating, annoying, painful, and emotional.

During these times, I sometimes wonder why I put so much time into practicing and playing. For what?

Why put myself through this pain? Especially on days where I just want to give up and walk off the course. Or rather curl up in a ball and cry. Yes, I admit golf has that effect on many, including myself.

But, I continue to play and still love it.

Maybe because the game is so challenging and yet addicting. Luring you to come back time after time with the possibility of playing an amazing round or scoring a record low, or getting a birdie or a hole in one.

On days that are a bit of a grind, I like to remind myself that golf is hard. It is meant to be challenging. We could get much more enjoyment out of the game if we are aware of this fact.

Just look at the many variables that golfers must learn to become proficient.

Why is Golf So Hard?

I talk about this in another recent post on How to Build Consistency in Your Golf Game as well.

If one is looking at golf from the outside or as a non-golfer, it seems pretty boring. Hit a small white ball down the fairway with a golf club and get it in the hole. How hard can that be?

Well, if you have ever tried to do this seemingly simple act on a golf course with other golfers watching you, you know that this is far from the truth. And the reason is that are just so many variables in the golf game to learn, practice, and perfect.

Reasons Why Golf Is So Hard And A Challenge To Play

Here is a list of many aspects to the game that one needs to learn and practice to be able to play golf.

• The proper etiquette and behavior.
• The official rules of the game.
• How to hit 14 different clubs in the golf bag.
• How to drive the ball off a tee, hit fairway shots and shots in the rough as well as mastering the short game.
• How to avoid certain hazards like water, hills, bunkers, fescue, and long grass
• How to hit shots from different lies and hazards especially if you end up in them.
• How to play golf in all types of weather and environmental conditions.
• How to be social and yet focus on your game.
• How to perform under pressure or in competitive situations.
• How to control your emotions on the golf course.
• How to score well and practice good judgment and course management.
• How to have the proper mindset while playing.

That’s a lot to work on just to be proficient and and be able to play this game! Remember this when your not having the greatest round or it is not going as well as expected. There is just so much that one needs to learn and master.

When Golf is Frustrating, Don’t Give Up

When golf seems hard to you or you have a not-so-great day, don’t give up! It is meant to be a challenge. We all go through this as golfers. And you never know, that amazing round might just be right around the corner.

Here are a few ways to help you get back in the game after feeling dejected, annoyed, or frustrated with golf.

1. Take some time off.

Whether it is a couple of days or a week.

Take the time off and don’t think about your golf game.

Sometimes this may be all you need to recharge and come back. After this, you might find it was just an “off day” and you’ll be back to your normal self the next time you play.

2. Schedule a golf lesson.

Honestly, one time I picked up this bad shanking problem and couldn’t seem to get out of the bunkers, so I scheduled a 30-minute lesson with a pro.

Within 5 minutes he knew what I was doing wrong, told me how to fix it, and voila, I was back to my old self, confident in the bunkers.

Sometimes it just takes a professional who can see what you are doing wrong.

3. Head to the driving range or practice area.

For me, I like to take a couple of days off and then head to the range to work out any kinks and see if they are even still there. I like to see that my shots are working again and back to normal.

4. Get back out there.

Whether you take some time off, head to the practice range or see an instructor, be sure to get back out there and play.

Schedule your next round of golf.

Don’t let that one frustrating round or last few rounds deter you from teeing it up again. Golfers all have these rough patches and we can learn from these tougher days.

Since it will most likely happen from time to time, you’ll know what to expect and how to get beyond and overcome this same situation the next time it happens.

5. Play solo golf by yourself.

You can always just head out on the course by yourself. I like to play solo golf because there is no one around and I can be in my head, test things out and not have the pressure to perform. There is something serene and relaxing about playing solo.

6. Ditch the scorecard.

Some days, I ditch the scorecard and play for fun.

It can actually be pretty liberating, not having to keep a score and just go out and have a good time with your friends or golf buddies.

I realize this may be harder said than done especially if you have wagers going on, but if I am golfing without any bets, I just tell my partners I’m not keeping score. Especially if I just had a terrible round recently.

Not keeping score can be a nice break from always concentrating on the score. I can actually practice some shots without having any consequences as well.

7. Assess and learn.

What was it that made this round so frustrating? Was it a certain part of your game?

• Were your drives slicing and putting you in trouble or bad spots?
• Was it your chipping that ended up adding a few extra strokes?
• Was your putting so off that you were putting out with 3 or 4 putts?

If you look at your round closely, you may realize that it is in fact just one part of your game that was off. It is so common to be down on ourselves and say ‘I’m a terrible golfer”, when in fact maybe it was just one area that can be an easy fix.

If you can improve in that area, it will be great for your golf game.

7. Use this situation as fodder for motivation.

After a particularly bad round a few years ago, I used it to motivate myself to improve.

I picked myself back up and became super motivated to improve upon those areas that needed help. I entered and competed in a few tournaments that year and even won a few. More than what I would have achieved had I not been motivated to improve upon my terrible round and weaknesses.

Carly Lloyd, one of the star midfielders of the US Women’s National Soccer team said they had a photo posted of their loss when the US was cut from the early rounds of the 2016 Rio Olympics to help motivate them for the next World Cup. To work harder and perform better the next go around.

They went on to win the next World Cup where Carly Lloyd had a hat trick and put in 3 goals in the back of the net in the final game to win it all.

Talk about motivation!

Golf Mindset – How to Stop the Frustration During the Round

Everyone Has Bad Golf Days

When you have a bad day on the golf course, just know you are not alone. All golfers have days or rounds where nothing seems to go right and as expected.

There lies the crux of the matter.

Setting expectations is good in many ways, but what you expect may not always happen. We all have this expectation to play to a certain level each time we play golf. It’s not playing up to that expectation that lets us down in our minds.

If we play horribly or seem to not be able to perform to our standards, we can be so hard on ourselves. And it is a blow especially if playing competitively in a tournament, for a dollar nassau, or just even bragging rights.

Don’t Head Down the Emotional Spiral

If your game has gone downhill, we tend to start thinking more and more about what isn’t working and how to correct it.

The mind then starts to focus on the technical parts of the swing and how not to get into any more trouble.

This then leads to a downward spiral that can be intensely emotional.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, golf can tear you apart emotionally if you let it.

The key is to not let this happen. To stop it right in its tracks.

There are two books that I turn to for the mental side of golf that can help with your thoughts and the mind. Zen Golf by Dr. Joseph Parent and Golf is Not the Game of Perfect, by Bob Rotella.

Being able to shake off a bad hole and move forward, as well as being present in the moment and thinking only about the very next shot you need to produce. Versus thinking about the last hole, your score, and the trouble that you were just in or that you want to avoid.

They are wonderful and I have read both, as well as listen to them to get me into the right golfer’s mind before a match.

It takes a lot of patience, practice, and playing in pressure situations to master this. Tour professionals spend a lot of time trying to master this mental side of golf. Very hard to accomplish but is achievable. It all starts with being aware of your thoughts and being positive rather than spiraling into a negative place.

Of course, this is easier said than done. When I had my worst round recently, I found myself talking to myself with “just stay positive” and tried to smile through the agony of the round. Trying to stay in a positive mindset.

It was hard.

But if you work at this, it can have a huge impact on your enjoyment of your game that day and afterward.

For the Love of the Game

Try to remember what you love about the game. Why are you really out here playing this great game?

• To spend time with loved ones and friends?
• To experience the outdoors and the fresh air?
• To get some exercise and activity for several hours?
• To have fun and learn something new?
• To challenge yourself and see what you are capable of?

All great reasons that I can think of. This can help with thinking of the bigger picture than just a score or a rough day on the course.

Put Away the Ego

Another tactic to use is to put away the ego. The ego really does get in the way.

Golf has a funny way of bringing us back to earth and humbling us. It can be embarrassing to play poorly. Why? Because we are thinking about how others perceive us as golfers.

Yet, if you really think about it, most people are thinking more about their own golf game than how you’re playing.

Be Kinder to Yourself

When others are having a bad golf day, I feel bad for them.

But, I am not thinking to myself, “wow, they are terrible golfers, they should just give it up”.

Can you imagine thinking that way about others? No, because it seems somewhat ludicrous to give anything up after a few bad rounds.

Yet, we think this way inwardly about our own game on a bad day.

If you are feeling this way as many of us do, you must learn how to be kind to yourself.

What would you tell your friend? “hey, you’re just having a bad day or a rough patch. It’ll blow over and soon you’ll be back with your normal great game”.

Right? We would give encouragement. So, we must learn to be that good friend to ourselves and say the same words of encouragement.

Think of Golf as a Journey.

We are so used to wanting things now and getting instant gratification. But golf is something that is not like that. Yes, you may see greatness one day and unfortunately are torn down the next day, week, or month. There are many ups and downs and winding ways to the game.

With so many complexities to golf, look at playing golf as something long-term.

My own 28-year golf journey is still going strong and I am loving it. All the great rounds, horrible rounds, and everything in between. It was never a straight path or the same level of intensity either. It has been fairly sporadic over the years with marriage, kids, life, and everything else along the way.

This game has given me so much in the way of personal development and social connections that have been incredible.

And yet I have so much more that I still want to achieve like getting a hole in one, winning a few tournaments, playing Pebble Beach, and attending the Masters.

I want to continue to learn about the game as there is so much still to pick up, and to keep challenging myself with what I am capable of achieving.

All with the knowledge that there will be lots of ups and downs, good and not so good days.

To experience those highs of the game is what keeps me coming back. And when I have those terrible days, well… I must remember to learn from them and just keep playing so I can continue along on my golf journey.

Related Posts:

How to Improve Your Handicap and Golf Game

Perfect Practice Putting Mat Review

First Tee Jitters? Conquer Your Nerves on the Golf Course

Driving Distance & Golf Club Average Distances for Women

How to Build Consistency in Your Golf Game

Golf is Hard. Don’t Give Up! Tips on How to Handle Golf Frustration

The post Golf is Hard – Don’t Give Up! Tips on How to Handle Golf Frustration appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

In our minds, when we hit a shot that doesn’t go the way we want, we might get upset at ourselves because we know we can hit the ball and score better because we have done it in the past.

Maybe it was at the driving range or when you played your last round or even just on the last hole where you made par with 2 beautiful shots and a 2 putt. And you wonder how in the world you just shanked the next drive off the tee.

Golf is hard. Yet, I think that is what makes it such an interesting game.

Performing with a level of consistency in golf can make golf so much more fun though.

Here are some tips on how to achieve a more consistent golf game.

Why Consistency in Golf Is So Difficult

Let’s look at why achieving consistency in golf is so hard.

1. The nature of the golf swing is not natural and there are many moving parts to the actual mechanics of the swing.

Even if one small part of the swing or body motion is off on a given round, all of sudden your dreaded slice or hook is back in full force. Or somehow you are putting the ball way past the hole or leaving it short of the hole on every green. And you wonder where in the world your putting stroke went.

2. Then consider the fact that there are 14 different clubs that you need to master and become comfortable with.

• There is the driver, which is the longest club in the bag and is hit off of a tee.
• Then there are fairway woods, irons and hybrids all at different lengths, lofts, and club heads.
• Then there are the wedges for pitching and chipping in which many times you don’t even take a full swing.
• And finally, there is putting. Completely different from any other club.

3. The difficulty and terrain of each golf course makes being consistent tough.

As well as all the innumerable lies that you can have on a golf course from the fairway, to different lengths of rough, to fescue, rocks, hills, sideways, uphill, and downhill lies, water to carry, and bunkers to hit out from.

So…many…variables!

No wonder having a consistent golf game is very hard to achieve.

I have learned over the years that if you have this mindset while golfing, then you are more aware that it is all these variables that make this game so unique, challenging, fun, and yes, so frustrating at times.

How to Be More Consistent in Golf

The first step in becoming a more consistent golfer is to produce a consistent golf swing. Being able to produce a reliable swing over and over again will result in more consistent shots.

Build A Consistent or Repeatable Golf Swing

A repeatable swing that produces the same shot is done through practice, practice, and lots of playing.

The more time you spend golfing and swinging a golf club will provide more consistency and growth in your golf game.

The body and brain need to build up muscle memory as the golf swing is not a natural body movement.

Learn the Correct Form and Technique

Before you start practicing something over and over again, it is always a good idea to get a few lessons to learn the correct form and technique.

Having a professional look at your swing and help you figure out the best technique is a great place to start.

You could also watch videos or read books to figure out what you may need to improve upon.

Practice and Playing – Time & Commitment

The next step is to practice and play as much as you can.

Think about Malcolm Gladwell in his book, Outliers.

He goes into depth looking at many famous high achievers and how they got to where they are. One of the factors is what he called the 10,000-hour rule, which basically says put in 10,000 hours of practice or time into something and you can become an expert.

Now, 10,000 hours is a crazy amount of time – especially in the short term. Time that the majority of us don’t have – especially for golf.

For example, if you want to become an expert golfer in 5 years, putting 10,000 hours of practice in means that for those 5 years, you would be practicing 8 hours a day for 5 days a week.

If you expand this to 20 years, you could become pretty proficient at golf if you played or practiced just 2 hours a day 5 days per week. That could also be playing a 4 hour round 2 – 3 times per week.

Well, that sounds much better. But, 20 years?! It’s hard to comprehend waiting that long to become really good at something. Most of us need a shorter term plan and more instant gratification.

The bigger takeaway from this is anyone who wants to get better and more consistent at something like golf needs to commit and put the practice in.

So, remember these things:

1. The time you put into golf practice or play will dictate the amount of improvement in consistency and proficiency at the game.
2. Schedule your practice or tee times in your calendar.
3. Make sure they are regular and consistent.
4. Commit to these times and do not let other plans or excuses get in the way.

Having a Practice Plan and Focused Practice

Many golfers head to the range and end up hitting ball after ball at the practice range with many of their different clubs, which is fine. As a beginner, just going to the practice range and hitting shots will help build your muscle memory.

To help you improve with consistency, it is a great idea to create a plan and focus your practice sessions. It will give you motivation as you’ll be able to start seeing the results of your hard work.

One example to help you create a plan is to determine the weakest area of your game. Think back to your last few rounds.

Which club added the most strokes to your game?

Start there.

Putting, chipping around the green, driving accuracy are some of the big ones.

Put a plan in place and track your progress. There is nothing better than seeing results from your hard work and practice.

If you are looking for a great practice plan with detailed drills day by day on exactly what to do and follow along guide on the short game, I use Tori Totlis’s Compete Confidence Short game 100 Workbook.  It is a game-changer and helps get me out there practicing.

She used a very similar practice regimen to win multiple club championships at her golf club and now has a single-digit handicap.

Improving Consistency Without A Lot of Time

Improvement as a Beginner

There are many ways to build consistency. The first time I noticed a real improvement in my own golf game after 3 years of playing was when we decided to commit to a weekly tee time that we paid in advance for. 

Because the tee times were paid for, we made it a priority and committed to our round every Saturday at 8:26 am. By the end of the golf season, my handicap dropped 8 strokes. I never went to the driving range. Just by playing golf consistently on a weekly basis, I was able to improve my consistency and improve my scores.

Small Incremental Improvements

Did you know that small incremental improvements can lead to bigger improvements over time?

There is a book I read recently called Atomic Habits.  If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it.

An amazing book about habits and improvement. 

The author, James Clear, talks about how just gaining even a 1% improvement each time you go out adds up and leads to a much bigger percentage of improvement over time. This means seeing bigger results in the long run as long as you stay committed.

So, schedule whatever time you might have to practice at the range or make a plan to play more and commit to it.

And remember that golf is a journey.

Some days will be amazing and some days will be very frustrating and disappointing. Just know that this is normal and a part of the game.

Happy golfing!

Related Post:

Golf is Hard. Don’t Give Up! Tactics to Help You When Frustration Hits

The post How to Improve Golf Consistency appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

I realized just how much I enjoy watching this tournament every year when it was postponed last April. So sad as it left an empty void, and it didn’t help that with everything going on in the world, golf courses were closed last Spring for the first few months on the season.

But this year, it’s back! I think that’s why I am sooooo excited for the Masters this year.

There is something so very special about Augusta National, the excitement and the energy that can practically be felt everywhere.

History of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National

With the Masters being played in early April each year, I am always so revved up after tuning in.

Maybe it’s because golf courses are always just opening up from the long winter and a new golf season is upon us. It seems to be a perfect kickoff!

If you are looking for some motivation or inspiration, watching the Masters is a great way to inspire anyone to go out and start swinging those clubs.

And, attending the Masters is very high on my bucket list, maybe even #1!

I mean, who wouldn’t fall in love with the beauty of Amen Corner (hole 11, 12 & 13)?

This is where many exciting shots and heart wrenching mishaps tend to happen. 

Watch this great video about Amen Corner at August National. How it got its name and why it is so challenging and fearsome.

Amen Corner at Augusta National

I was listening to an interview today by one of the highly ranked PGA Tour Pros, Rory McIlroy, and he was asked how he was going to play this weekend. He said it’s all about “committing, trusting, and getting out of my head”. He knows the course, he knows he can win, but it’s about getting past all the thinking and just doing and performing. 

Yes, even the top players have this issue in golf.

I like to watch these interviews and watch these golf tournaments because you can learn so much about the game, from the swing mechanics, the terminology, the history and the challenges that even the best golfers in the world face. 

Tune in To the Masters

The Masters starts tomorrow (Thursday) and is played for 4 days.

If you can only watch a part of it, the last day or Masters Sunday can be the most exciting as the leaderboard is constantly changing and moving and the top players are jockeying for the lead.

I still remember watching Jordan Spieth’s painful end to his 2016 Masters run and when Tiger Woods won it again in 2019 after 14 years. The emotions, the ups and downs, and everything about this tournament are just so exciting and moving to watch.

Relive the 2019 Masters Tournament

How to Watch the Masters Tournament

CBS has been broadcasting the Masters for 66 years nows with Jim Nantz as host for the last 34 years. Check here for the 2021 Masters schedule.

Be sure to check the Golf Channel too as they usually run “Live From The Masters” programming all week leading up to the tournament as well as post coverage and commentary.

What I love to watch in the days leading up to the Masters are all the interviews, player spotlights, and historical segments from years past. It is interesting to hear the history and traditions of this tournament and is inspiring and uplifting listening to all the personal stories.

You will find me glued to the TV this week as I soak it all in and try to figure out who is going to win it this year…

Who’s your pick? Spieth? Rahm? McIlroy? Thomas? Johnson for a repeat?

​

​

​

​

​

The post It’s Masters Week! A Special Tournament and Learning From the Best Players In The World appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

It used to be that many courses had two, maybe three different tee boxes – back, middle, and forward tees. Some golfers still refer to these as men’s or ladies’ tees, or by their different colors, like blue, white, and red tees.

Over the last decade, there has been a push for golf courses to add additional tee boxes and more playing options for all golfers. Why? For the purpose of more golf enjoyment overall.

As courses add these additional tees, it can be confusing to know which tees to actually hit from.

How do you choose which set of tee boxes to play?

Let’s first look at the reason for having and needing different tee boxes.

Golf Courses Adding More Tee Boxes

In 2011, the PGA and USGA came out with Tee it Forward which was a “new national initiative to be conducted at golf facilities nationwide encouraging all golfers to play the course at a length that is aligned with their average driving distance”. (link)

It now seems to be a growing trend among golf courses – to add new tee forward tee boxes. Though some are adding an option to play a hole longer, the majority of courses are adding a whole set of forward tees and thus, shortening the course for more playability.

My home golf course, a traditional New England Donald Ross-designed course is rather challenging with many protected and elevated greens. Throw in the fact that the course used to play especially long from the forward tees at just over 5500 yards.

I was excited when my club added a new set of forward tees, which shortened the course by over 600 yards. This new tee box plays at 4900 yards.

The first few times I played from these new tees, I realized that I could actually reach the green on many holes in two, which made playing the game much more fun.

And it is not just a benefit for women. Today I often see new golfers, women, seniors, kids and families using these tees.

The Importance of Playing From the Right Tee Boxes or Distances

Beth Ann Nichols of Golf Week wrote a very interesting article about women’s professional golfers, their distances, and how setting up golf courses with the appropriate distance from the tee box can impact not only the viewership of women’s golf but the overall enjoyment of playing the game for everyone.

Midway through her article, she mentions a few golf courses and individuals who have done much work on spreading the word and continue to spearhead this initiative.

Golf Course Designer and Landscape Architect, Jan Bel Jan, has been a fierce proponent over the years of designing golf courses with appropriate tee box setups and accessibility that account for all golfers. She speaks nationally on the topic of “Setting Up Golf Courses for Success”. Golf course owners and operators are realizing that they can increase their overall participation and business by offering more teeing and golfing options for all types of recreational and amateur golfers.

Which Set of Tees Should I Be Playing From?

Based on the amount of distance that a golfer hits their drive or other shots, it is best to play from a tee box that will allow you to play the course as it was meant to be played.

This means at par.

Think of how much more fun it would be to play a hole that you can make the green in 2 shots versus a long course where you always have to hit 3 or 4 shots just to reach the green. 

Each golfer has to look at their own golf game to determine the best set of tees to play from. And it pretty much comes down to your distance. Some like to use driving distance, but I recently saw a calculation based on using the 5 iron as well.

Both methods provided me with a very similar overall course distance.

Determining the Best Tees To Play

Here’s the way to calculate your distance.

Method 1

Athletic_Motion_Golf posted an Instagram post with a calculation that got many in the golf world buzzing. The formula uses a golfer’s distance with a 5 iron to calculate the overall course distance that you should be playing from.

Multiply your 5 iron distance by the number 36.

I hit my 5 iron about 135 yards. Using this calculation, 135 x 36 = 4860 yards. I should be playing from a tee box that is about 4900 yards. Interestingly, the new forward tee box that was added at my home course brought the overall course distance from 5500 to 4900. Hmmm, maybe they did their research when designing these new tees!

Method 2

This method uses the PGA and USGA Tee It Forward initiative and information that they provided to golf courses around the country.

The following chart is what was included in this campaign to make courses and golfers more aware of where they were teeing off from.

My average drive is about 180 yards. Using this method and the chart above, it is showing that I should be playing a course that is between 4600 to 5200 yards, which puts me right at 4800, maybe 4900 yards.

Interesting. Pretty much the same result.

The most fun I have is playing from our more forward tees these days. There is a nice mix of long and shorter reachable par 3’s, par 4’s and par 5’s which still makes the course challenging and interesting to play.

Course Distance for the Average Woman Golfer

Using the statistics from a post I wrote on the average golf club distances for women, let’s see what the average course distance should be for a recreational female golfer who drives the golf ball 150 yards.

Using Method 1 above, the best tee box or overall course distance should be between 3500 – 3700 yards. Using Method 2, the average 5 iron distance was calculated at 105 yards. This puts the course distance at about 3780 yards.

Since I am used to playing a longer course, (1700 yards longer than this and now is still 1100 yards longer), this calculated distance seems very short to me. But, because of the 150-yard drive, it is calculating the correct distance.

Interestingly, as I ponder this more, many of the female golfers I play with are all excellent at their short game and approach shots from 75 yards in!

We can look more at this in detail.

Factors to Keep In Mind About Choosing Which Tees to Use

Looking at the Numbers

Golfers that can drive 280 yards are going to play a completely different game than someone who drives their ball 160 yards. Unless they are playing from tee boxes that match their distances. 

Playing a par 4 hole that is 340 yards from the tee box is quite long for the golfer who drives their ball 160 yards.

Using their driver, then a second shot at 130 yards, they will still be 50 yards short of the green and won’t even come close to reaching the green in two as the course was designed. An approach shot will always be needed.

However, if the course offers a forward tee that is 280 yards to the hole, this same par 4 green is now reachable in two shots and this golfer now has the opportunity at making a par.

Fun! 

Combo Tees

Some golf courses are also becoming more creative with their standard tee boxes by combining or creating what are called combo tees.

For example, let’s say a course has blue, white, yellow, and red tee boxes. Red being the most forward and blue being the furthest back. A golf course may have 4 different tee boxes, however, they could offer 7 different options by combining different tee boxes.

Like blue/white, white/yellow, and yellow/red tees. The course scorecard shows where a golfer tees to tee off from on each hole. And each set of combo tees have their own course rating and slope.

Tee Boxes Used in Competition

If you are competing in a tournament, golfers typically don’t have the choice to choose their tee box. The rules will state where to tee off. Sometimes these may differ depending on the level of play as well as the age and gender. Casual tournament play might offer more flexibility.

Playing Partners & Playing From Different Tee Boxes

Don’t worry about your playing partners and where they are teeing off from. When I play with my husband and his friends or my golfing partners, I just let them know which tees I am going to play that day.

I feel like it is better for my game to tee off where I am most comfortable playing.

When my husband and I play from our respective tees, it levels the playing field and we can compete against each other. Sometimes I do outdrive my husband! Since he hits a much longer second shot than I do, it equals out in the long run.

Which Tee Box Should I Use as a New Golfer?

If you are new to golf, it is important to play from the appropriate tees for your game as well. My suggestion is to tee it up as close as you can to the hole. Most new golfers aren’t going to be very consistent in their distances and will appreciate as much advantage as they can get. Your playing partners won’t mind either especially if it makes golf less frustrating and more fun for you.

Some golf courses offer junior and family tees with special tee markers set up in the fairway to help new golfers, juniors, kids and families. This made a huge difference when we were teaching our children the game. Ask the pro shop or starter when you tee off if there are family tees out on the course. If there aren’t any, you can always create your own and tee it up in the fairway. If you want to start keeping an official score for a tournament or handicap purposes, then it makes sense to tee off from the designated tee boxes.

The Benefits of Playing From the Correct Tees

Playing from a tee box that is too long can be frustrating and even exhausting. Teeing it up closer can help keep golfers motivated and feeling good about their game, which is very important to all levels of golfers. Here are a few interesting precentages taken from the survey on the USGA Tee It Forward page.

Changing It Up – Playing From Different Tee Boxes

I do want to mention that it is ok to change it up and play different tee boxes from time to time. If I am out playing alone or practicing for a tournament, I still do like to play from the longer tees because they provide a challenge.

It helps to work on different aspects of the golf game.  If I have two well-hit shots (a drive and fairway wood), I’ll likely still need to hit an approach shot onto the green from 100 yards in or less. Playing from a longer tee box helps me practice not only fairway shots, but also my short game and up and downs.

Play the Tees That Will Provide the Most Enjoyable Experience

Remember that golf is supposed to be both challenging and rewarding. Think about this the next time you are heading out to the first tee and be sure to use the methods above to see if you are playing from the best tees for your game and distance.

Noone wants golf to be frustrating or more exhausting than it already is. It should be fun! Choosing to play from the most appropriate tees for your game is going to give you a lot more enjoyment in your rounds.

Related Posts:

Golf Club Distances for Women

Club Selection – How to Choose the Right Club on the Course

The post Which Tee Box Should You Play? appeared first on Lynn on the Links.

With so many options in golf clubs these days, a very big question has become “should I be using irons or hybrids?” and “what is the difference?”.

It really depends on a number of factors. Namely, how you hit them and the results they provide to you personally.

The reason I mention this first is that every golfer is different and has their own unique swing. Because of this, they are going to get a different result and feel from their various clubs. And with hybrids and irons being so different in their design and purpose, everyone is going to have a different experience with them.

For example, I tend to sweep the grass in my golf swing, rather than hitting down on them. For this reason, I tend to hit my hybrids really well compared to my longer irons. Yet, I have friends who love their irons and will only use a hybrid for distances longer than 150 yards in place of a 3 iron, which is harder to hit.

In this post, I’ll cover other factors to think about when deciding which club to use or to carry in your bag.

How Are Hybrids and Irons Different?

Let’s look first at how hybrids and irons are designed differently and what their purpose originally was and build from there.

History

Irons or what they used to call blades have been around for quite some time in golf history and historically, have been the most versatile and most used club in your bag. It can be hit from anywhere on the golf course. Off the tee, in the fairway, from the rough, and as an approach shot onto the green.

The hybrid only came out around 30-40 years ago as a utility club, giving a golfer another option to help them get out of trouble areas on the golf course. When they first came out, a golfer might have carried one of these utility clubs to save some strokes.

Today, you can find hybrids to replace any one of your irons, as well as full hybrid sets or combination sets comprised of both irons and hybrids. The choices are endless.

Design Differences

The designs of both types of clubs are extremely different in how they look, feel, and how they are hit.

Whereas irons are made of a hard metal material, have a thinner bladelike clubhead to help golfers hit down into the ground and take a divot, hybrids are fuller and look like a smaller half size version of a fairway wood and are meant more for hitting and sweeping the ground.

Iron Design

Irons are designed to provide a clean, accurate high golf shot with a good amount of spin. With the number of irons in a golf bag, a golfer can pick and choose their distance accordingly.

Long irons (low numbered like 1, 2, and 3 irons) have always been much harder to hit as they are designed to produce more distance, but less lift in the air. These are not forgiving clubs meaning it is easy to skull or mishit these clubs.

Hybrid Design

Hybrids were originally designed to be easier and more forgiving to hit, thus being referred to as a “rescue” club. The weighting and center of gravity of the bulb-like clubhead in a hybrid is designed to be heavier farther back in the clubhead, producing a more forgiving and higher launch.

Today, golfers can choose to carry as many hybrids as they want. Hybrids are offered in the same numbered clubs as irons. I would say the majority of golfers carry at least one hybrid and many carry even more because of how easy they are to hit especially for the average recreational or weekend golfer.

Why Should You Use Both Hybrids and Irons in Your Golf Game?

With 14 clubs allowed in your golf bag, it is best to carry at least one hybrid. The reason is that they are meant to help your game. They are truly a utility or rescue club that can help you in certain situations on the golf course.

Professionals on tour prefer to use their irons, but like to have a hybrid or 2 in the bag as an option. Since these players are pin hunting and need to be exact, they may find a situation where they need to fly a ball up over a tall tree and land softly on the green. A hybrid may be the perfect answer for this.

Lower handicap players may still use their irons, but replace their 3 iron with a 2 or 3 hybrid.

Why? Because hybrids are easier to hit and can help the ball get into the air.

But hybrids aren’t just a replacement for long irons. As I mentioned, I carry more hybrids than irons in my bag. I haven’t gone all hybrids though, as I like to still use my 8 and 9 iron for approach shots onto the green. Even if you prefer to hit irons, it is still smart to carry at least 1 or 2 hybrids to give you more choices and options on the course.

When Should You Use a Hybrid or an Iron?

Let’s now look at some different situations of when to use a hybrid versus an iron. There are many factors to consider when thinking about your next shot, what result you want and which club will get you the best results.

Best Scenarios To Use an Iron

• If you have a fast swing speed, then it might suit you better to hit irons as you can get more spin and loft on the ball.

• If you hit down on the ball as you should with an iron, and do this well, then irons are a good option for you.

• If you can create and need backspin on your approach shots on the green, good to use an iron.

• If there is a lot of wind, a lower lofted long iron that doesn’t go as high but can cut through the wind would be good to use.

• When the rough is really thick and high, an iron can help cut through the thickness of the rough.

• If you have a 100 yards in fairway bunker shot with a medium lip, you could use an iron.

• If you have a 40 yard or less chip shot, you could use an iron to chip and run the ball onto the green as long as there aren’t any hazards or penalty areas in the way.

Best Scenarios To Use a Hybrid

• If you have a slow swing speed, hybrids can give you more distance.

• If you tend to sweep the ball in your swing, a hybrid will help provide more loft and give you more forgiveness for mishits.

• If you tend to hit your ball low, hybrids could give you more loft and height on your shot.

• If you have an approach shot onto an elevated green, a hybrid can give you more height to get it up onto the green for a soft landing.

• If you have a shot where you need to get over water, a hybrid can give you more loft so you don’t risk hitting a low skimmer across the water.

• If you are in rough that is not too thick, a hybrid can give you extra weight in the clubhead to help get you through the rough and give you loft to get the ball up into the air.

• If you have a long fairway bunker shot and need some extra distance and loft to get the ball out and far, you could use a mid range hybrid.

• If you are 50 or 60 yards out, you can use a hybrid to chip and run the ball up onto the green. Using a hybrid will give you more distance, so it is best to use it when you have a longer 50 yard or more pitch shot.

Does a Hybrid Provide the Same Distance as an Iron With the Same Number?

Yes, for the most part.

A hybrid will go about the same distance as a corresponding iron. In other words, a 5 iron should go about the same as a 5 hybrid. If there is any difference, a hybrid might provide a little extra yardage. The reason? A hybrid is more forgiving so you might be able to make better contact with the ball in the sweet spot.

The biggest difference between these two types of clubs with the same number will be a higher launch in the air with the hybrid.

What Hybrids Should You Carry?

That’s a very good question and one that is debatable by many golfers. Depending on what type of golfer you are and what you prefer is going to dictate the number and which hybrids you carry.

Currently I carry 4 hybrids. A 4H, 5H, 6H, and 7H. This is because I love how I connect with hybrids and the accuracy I get from them. I only carry 2 irons (8 and 9 irons) plus my wedges. Most golfers carry at least 1 hybrid, with the average around 2 hybrids in their bag. The 4 or 5 hybrid is the most typical club to carry as a rescue club. If you want to replace a 3 wood or a long iron, it is good to think about a lower numbered hybrid like a 3H or 4H.

Test Them Out

This last 20 years of golf has provided great technological advances and greater choices in club designs. All these different options makes for a much more enjoyable golfing experience. Anything that helps a golfer score better or help launch the ball better is good for the golf game.

If you are curious about hybrids or irons, the best way to determine what is best for your game is to test them out on and off the course.

There is no right or wrong in this area as everyone is different. And once you decide, you can always change it up. I am actually thinking of adding a 7 iron back to my bag as I saw some great shots hitting it on the driving range this past year. So, I might as well test it out.

If you are interested in reading more about either one, read my Club Guides in Best Hybrids for Women and Best Irons for Women where I answer FAQ’s and provide more in depth information on each club type and what to look for when making a purchase.

Related Posts:

Best Hybrids for Women

Best Irons for Women

Golf Club Distances for Women

Golf Club Selection – For Beginner Golfers

Hybrids vs Irons for Women – Which One Is Better?

The post Hybrids vs Irons for Women – What Should You Be Using? appeared first on Lynn on the Links.