Golf: Strategies to Achieve Single Figure Scores

Many of us who regularly play the game of golf aspire to reach a low handicap by shooting good scores. In this article I want to share some of my golf strategies to achieve single figure scores. To begin with it is immensely useful to examine your own game and identify a few of the things obviously holding you back from reaching the desired target. It might be your technique or lack of it in certain parts of your game. It may be your attitude to the game and in what shape you play, both mental and physical. 

Who You Play With Impacts Upon Your Score

Golf is a sport for all, and the handicap system allows players of all levels to compete. This makes the game of golf unique and wonderfully equitable. Therefore, there exists a mix of approaches to competitive play in clubland golf. Your regular four-ball may contain players of varying abilities and levels of commitment. This can be a challenge to how you perform amid environments of casualness. It may be that extra concentration is required if you play with golfers who cannot be bothered to mark their ball on the green and who chat incessantly. You may have to ask yourself how important is becoming the best golfer you can? You might have to sacrifice the comfort factor of your usual four ball if you want to move beyond mediocrity. Familiarity breeds contempt, as the saying goes. I have observed many four ball groupings where the psychological dynamics via the on-course banter becomes a hindrance to optimum performance. You have to ask yourself, why am I really playing golf? Is it for the socialisation, the camaraderie between mates or to be the best golfer I can be? Of course, there is nothing wrong with playing the game for the enjoyment of friends, as it can be a rich source of human pleasure. 

Golf Strategy & the Mental Game

Your mental state during a round of golf can have a considerable impact upon how your perform. We have identified the influence that group dynamics can have on your game of golf both negatively and positively. Bringing things one step closer to you, how do you present yourself pre-game? Are you a golfer who takes pride in preparation or someone who turns up in whatever state you happen to be in? Golf is a four hour plus examination of our physical and mental prowess. Playing competitive golf hung over, poorly prepared, stressed out, and/or in bad shape for whatever reason is a waste of everyone’s time. I recommend ensuring that you have got plenty of rest, had breakfast, and getting to the golf course at least an hour prior to teeing off. You don’t want to be rushing to make your tee time because your swing will reflect that quality to the detriment of your overall score. Make sure that you have the time to warm up by hitting a small bucket of balls on the practice ground or in the nets. Do some chipping and practice putting, as your short game is the last port of call in the scoring pyramid.