Being a good player, let’s say a scratch handicap, of course requires a technically sound golf swing, good course management, correct club selection, mental strength and the list goes on but there are some habits that all good players have that the average golfer could adopt to increase their performance on the golf course.

1. Good players ALWAYS……Hit balls before playing

Walking out on the golf course and hitting your first ball of the day off the first tee just isn’t conducive to playing good golf. Good players will always hit balls, chip and putt before playing.  It’s about getting a feel for your swing, loosening your body up and mentally preparing for playing the game.  Of course playing golf is time consuming and I understand that warming up adds an extra 10-15 minutes to your time spent at the golf club.  having said that, if you want to enjoy your golf while you’re out there then it’s worth it.

2. Good players ALWAYS……Use a range finder/measuring device

Knowing your yardages is absolutely imperative in this game.  You need to know how far you have to hit for your next shot, this is an obvious statement I realise but not enough players do.  If you do not have a measuring device of some sort then you are falling behind.  It’s not all about how far you have to the pin, you need to know how far to carry the bunkers in the fairway so you can decide whether to go for it or lay up for example.  Also the difference between a flag at the front of the green to a flag at the back could be 2-3 clubs.  If you get that wrong you are in 3 putt territory, or worse!  All good players will know the distance of all hazards in front of them and this will form part of the decision making for their next shot.  Using a measuring device will also make you aware of how far you actually hit your ball, that’s quite handy to know!

3. Good players ALWAYS…… Mark the golf ball when reaching the green

Why would you NOT mark your ball at every opportunity? As soon as the ball is on the green, good players will mark it, clean it and start reading their line all part of a basic process.  If your ball is not clean it will not roll true.  Also the process of marking your ball helps you to slow down and think about your putt, something every weekend golfer needs to do!

4. Good players ALWAYS……Make practice/rehearsal swings before EVERY shot

Most amateur golfers I teach tell me that they don’t make a practice swing before they hit their shot.  The reason being for most of them is “I do a good practice swing but it’s never the same when the ball is there” Well of course not, because the ball isn’t there!!  How do you know you make a perfect practice swing, there is no outcome associated with a practice swing, no result as such.  So why bother?  Well making a practice swing is more than just swinging the club, you should be visualising the shot in hand while making a rehearsal.  For a short shot you can feel the length of swing you may need for the shot in hand and again it prepares you for your shot and stops you rushing.  It’s not technical, it’s one of the few phycological drills we can do as a golfer.  This applies to EVERY shot!  All good players will do it, bar none!

5. Good players ALWAYS……Keep their grooves clean

How often do you clean you clubs?  Or at least your wedges – you know the ones that are supposed to create the most backspin on your ball!  Well a little fact for you here – You WILL loose up to 50% of any backspin applied to your ball if your grooves are dirty.  So after hitting a wedge shot, make sure you clean out the grooves for better control on your ball next time!  i would simply use a tee peg to quickly score through the grooves on my wedge before hitting a shot, it takes 20 seconds and is another trait of all good players.

I suppose the question is, do you become a good player by being in good habits like the above or do the habits evolve as you become a better player? I’ll let you find that out for yourself.