How to Improve your Golf Game Without an Instructor

Golf is a tough game and most amateurs (myself included) knock themselves out of it before they even get to the first tee - here are some basic tips that will help you improve your rounds.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Desire to play golf

1. Get to the course early. This is key - develop a consistent warm-up routine when you play. If your idea of a warm-up is rushing from your car to the pro shop and then to the first tee all in under 2 minutes, then your game will most likely suffer.
   
   Slow down, golf is about patience, practice and a positive mental outlook. Make sure you have enough time to hit the driving range, do some chipping and above all - putting. This will enable you to step up on the first tee with confidence rather than confusion.
2. Snack while you play. This does not mean beer - it does however mean bringing fruit and nutrition bars to eat every 4-6 holes. When your energy level stays balanced you will avoid those mental lapses late in the round and be able to concentrate on your next swing rather than your stomach.
3. Be patient; this tip cannot be overstressed. If you make a bad swing, the worst thing you can do is to race to your ball and hit away. This almost always results in a worse swing. Relax and go through your pre-shot routine. Work on getting back a smooth rythm rather than technique. It is an old saying, but a good one - take each swing one at a time. This will help you avoid blow up holes and keep your head in the game.
4. Develop a pre-shot routine. You have probably noticed while you watch tournament golf that all the pros seem to address the ball the same way each time. This is called a pre-shot routine and can dramatically improve your score.
   
   Always addressing the ball in the same way will give you help you calm down and focus on the game and what you need to do to hit the next shot. There are thousands of different ones out there, the main thing is to develop one that you can call your own and repeat it every time you step up to the ball.
5. Make some time to practice after the round. After all, what better time to concentrate on what wasn't working then after the round? This is usually a good time to schedule a lesson or simply work on some of the things that you struggled with on the course.