Avoid Double Bogeys: Adhere to These 8 Essential Golfing Strategies
Ready to bump those high scores andDrop that handicap like it's hot? Here's the secret sauce: You're not just aiming for a barrage of birdies (though who doesn't love birdies?), it's more about keeping those double bogeys or worse off the scorecard. A 15 handicap golfer usually drops five double bogeys a round, so it's time to tackle this issue.
With the help of Shot Scope, makers of some of the top-notch golf watches and performance tracking tech, we've compiled eight proven strategies that will slash the frequency of double bogeys. Now, here's a heads-up: Some of these points might contradict each other, but each one will help keep those damaging doubles at bay.
Tee Off like a Pro
Alright, here's the deal – it's obvious that getting more distance off the tee can be advantageous, but the data shows a clear link between distances and scores. The further you hit the ball, the less likely it is that you'll make a double bogey. So if you're aiming for maximum length from the tee, you might want to check out the Superspeed Speed Sticks or the GForce driver swing trainer to boost your yardage.
Avoid Hazards
The stats show you're a half-shot worse off on a hole if you land in a fairway bunker, so – duh – bunkers need to be avoided. Whether you go for distance or accuracy depends on a ton of factors like the situation of the round, the wind, and how you're playing on the day, so it's all about making smart decisions.
A high handicapper loses about six balls a round, so it's crucial to find tech that helps you get a better understanding of your surroundings – and maybe even work on a shot that has a consistent curve. At least then you can plan your aim and the trouble you wan't to miss.
Leave Greed at Home (From the Bunker)
When you're in a fairway bunker after a bad drive, it's tempting to go for broke, but playing it safe and ensuring you get the ball out in one swing is the way to go. The last thing you want is to blow your shot and see your ball bounce back into your divot. Be smart, choose a club that's for sure gonna clear the lip, then check out these bunker play tips from Peter Finch to help you escape the sand in one.
Don't Follow a Bad Shot with Another
Bad shots happen – we all know it. But it's important to brush off your last mistake and concentrate on hitting a good shot next time. It's common for golfers to compound their errors, but the pros never do – and they've got a reason for that. So remember, the most important shot is always the next one, forget about what's gone before.
Chip with Less Loft
The stats show that golfers have lower shots-to-finish ratings with low-lofted clubs – like an 8 or 9 iron – than with sand or lob wedges. So as long as you don't have an obstacle that requires elevation, practice chipping with a lower lofted club and aim for a ball running towards the hole instead of trying to lift it over everything. A shorter swing means less can go wrong and, with a more putting-like stroke, you'll achieve better contact more consistently.
Master the Sand Trap Escape
On average, you're about half as likely to get up and down from a bunker as you are elsewhere on the course. So clearly greenside bunkers are a problem, especially for high handicappers who struggle to get out of the sand altogether. A dependable bunker technique reduces the risk of taking multiple strokes and racking up big scores. So ignore tight flags and try some of these bunker play tips and drills from Peter Finch to improve your bunker game and lower your scores.
Reduce Three-Putts
Three-putts wreck scores on the greens, so improving your putting skill is critical. Developing a system for controlling pace is crucial. A drill to try is putting a ball 30 feet away, then putting another a bit past it and another a bit shorter. This fine-tunes your feel and helps you adjust your stroke length and tempo for different distances.
Up Your Short-Range Putting Game
Short putting doesn't require strength or flexibility, so it's a skill that almost anyone can improve. A drill recommended by PGA Pro Joe Ferguson is putting to a tee peg instead of a hole to focus your attention and increase your margin for error on the course.
So there you have it. If you want to slip that handicap like a hot potato, focus on distance off the tee, avoid hazards, play conservatively after a bad shot, chip with less loft, develop a dependable bunker technique, reduce three-putts, and master short-range putting. Start implementing these strategies today, and watch those double bogeys disappear faster than you can say, "Fore!"
Implementing strategies from Shot Scope can help reduce the frequency of double bogeys. For instance, tee off like a pro by using tools like Superspeed Speed Sticks or GForce driver swing trainer to boost your yardage. Additionally, avoid hazards like fairway bunkers as they negatively impact your scores. Remember, it's essential to make smart decisions and find tech that helps you understand your surroundings better.
