6 Simple Ways to Save Strokes and Stress This Golf Season

For all ages and skill levels, golf serves as an utterly agonizing, yet intimately enticing test of will, skill, and patience. In spite of countless frustrating lies, bounces, and breaks, the singularly glorious moment when intention delivers result, pervasively captivates the pitiful and professional golfer, alike. For the novice hacker, sincerely incorporating the following 6 simple strategies will undoubtedly save strokes, stress, and money this golf season. Practice, preparation, purpose, and patience remain the secrets to swing success.

Warm-Up Wonder
Allow for at least 20 to 30 minutes of ample warm-up time before each tee-time. Rather than rushing to the first tee and finding nothing but frustration the entire front 9, incorporate a quick routine of total-body stretches, progressive practice on the driving range, and a short-game refresher around the putting green. Just the perception of an increased sense of preparation will increase confidence, subdue the nerves, and make the overall experience more enjoyable.

Practice with Purpose
Golf relies heavily on muscle memory. Inevitably, practice instills either positive or negative habits from the practice range to the course. Approach every practice swing as a sincere opportunity to improve. Before each shot, commit to the practice swing with equal attention as the actual swing. In addition, rather than pulling out the driver for hack after hack, distribute practice time according to actual stroke scoring on the course. Remember, the average golfer uses the driver 14 times per round at the most. For a majority of hackers, developing a dangerous short-game through purposeful practice, serves as the most efficient path to shaving strokes.

Clubhead Concentration
Imagining the clubhead as a rock connected to a string (the shaft) remains one of the most classic analogies to develop greater swing consistency. Creating minimal shaft tension allows the clubhead to follow its natural, desired swing path and remain square through impact. Returning the clubhead square at impact enables greater overall accuracy and increased ball flight consistency.

Putting the Best Putting Stroke Forward
For many golfers, putting remains an agonizing exercise in futility. Frequently, a classic case of the "shakes" transforms a seemingly simple three-foot putt into a snaking 30-footer on the 18^th green at Augusta. After committing visually to the "perfect" line, take the practice strokes necessary to step up to the putt with wholehearted confidence. The best strategy for putting is to put the best stroke possible on the ball and simply, "let go." Everything beyond impact is no longer controllable. Focus intently on the read and stroke of each and every putt, then, leave the rest to the golf gods.

Know Thyself
Disciplined club and shot selection can serve as the great equalizer with pride or money on the line on the links. Focus on playing to personal strengths, regardless of the heckling received for hitting a 5-wood on a long par 3. Take the conservative path out of difficult lies; high percentage shots remain the duffer's best friend. Furthermore, most novice golfers routinely miss approach shots short of the green. Instead of selecting the club requiring the perfect strike, take an extra club on approach shots and reap the rewards.

Stay Simple, Get Versatile Around the Greens
Short-game inconsistency plagues many beginner golfers. Rather than trying to hit 4 or 5 different clubs on chips and pitches as viewed on television, grab a single club (preferably the sand wedge) and get versatile with the club face, ball position, and swing arc. Finding comfort with a single club and creatively de-lofting the face to achieve results similar to other clubs will increase consistency and confidence around the greens. Lastly, practice, practice, practice!