The 5 Worst Golf Tips And How To Avoid Them

Any golf magazine, specialized medium, book, or guide to our sport will be full of tips to play better golf. We even have a large amount of educational audiovisual material, of all kinds, golf masters, legends of this sport, and great instructors who give us advice and (virtual) classes to improve.

Personally, I have seen and read a lot of this content. I remember perfectly the first instructional VHS I had in my hands, we saw it with my father who is also a golf fan. It was called Butch Harmon's Ultimate Golf and it was a golf Master Class taught by the famous coach, in VHS format with two tapes.

I continued with David Leadbetter and some of his books; Positive Practice, The Golf Swing, 100% Golf. And with some "generic" books like the 4 pillars to succeed in golf, the best golf tips of all time, the mythical red and green golf books, etc.

With all this, I do not want to expose my literary passion or establish myself as a scholar of golf instruction. Rather an expert on what doesn't work. This type of content can be very useful for expert golfers, people who have absolute control over their bodies and club. Being able to feel their swing, the impact with the ball, and the sensations they get from each hit.

But most of the advice given in these virtual classes is of little value to "average" or weekend golfers. I dare say useless.

The "average golfer" has 16 handicaps.

With this in mind, we are going to review the worst tips that are given in the world of golf.

Tip 1 - The bunker kick

The bunker shot near the green is the easiest shot in golf.

Just open the face and hit the sand 2 to 3 inches behind the ball. The ball will jump directly onto the green.

The problem: First of all, you cannot convey to an average golfer that the game of bunker is easy. It is an obstacle that makes him miss frequently, feeling unsafe in the sand, especially near the green.

We continue with the sensations. Control over the clubface is an expert golfer's skill. Most do not have the control to know "what it feels like" to hit 2 or 3 inches before the ball. (If they had that control over impact, they wouldn't have these problems)

In short, to say that it is as simple as hitting 2 or 3 inches before is to demand a level of control that you simply do not have.

What is really needed:

• Develop a deep clubhead awareness when swinging.
• Practice the area of ​​impact to be more consistent.
• Generate repetitions until you define your bunker swing.
• Then the bunker shot will be easy.

Tip 2 - The twist

The torque created by the difference in the shoulder and hip twists generates power. Thus, if you extend your arms during the backswing, thinking of doing a wide turn to create distance at the top between the club and the body.

Problem: Most amateur golfers have started playing as adults. Many of them have even entered or are about to be seniors.

Your body doesn't work this way.

Let's stop suggesting that to have a good swing we must imitate that of the professionals. That will never happen.

What is really needed:

• Become aware of the movement of the body in the swing.
• Finding an efficient swing with ease of movement.
• Understand the limitations and possibilities of my body and my swing, to adapt it to my particular reality.

Tip 3 - Don't hit the ball, hit through.

According to golfarise.com, this is one of the most widespread. Return well and let the ball get in the way of the stick.

Problem: I know this is good advice, but it is bad advice because it is almost impossible. It's like saying to someone: "Build more clubhead speed!"

We would if we could, don't you think?

The fans are focused on the ball. We do not admit it, but the secret objective is the ball itself, in fact, many amateur players do not "feel" their swing when they do it without the ball (the same ones who do not find practicality in the practice swing).

What is really needed:

Become aware of movement. Most golfers, on the driving range and without a ball, swing very well (and beautifully).

Take lots of "practice swings" to become aware of movement, not impact.

Tip 4 - Bumps on unevenness.

To better hit the ball on slopes, slopes, and other unevennesses, it is as simple as adjusting your posture and position on the ball.

Problem: Most driving ranges have carpets (or grass) but always on a completely flat and level surface.

They are a type of blows that you cannot practice regularly, or at least, dedicate the necessary time to it.

What is really needed:

• Creative solutions to simulate these slopes.
• Incline practice mats with wedges.
• Play a lot of balls on the field, when we are in this uneven position.
• Be aware of our weight distribution in the swing.

Tip 5 - The angle of the wrists

Maintain a wrist angle until the end of the downswing. Watch the swing sequence of ____________ (fill in the blank, again, with a player from the Tour)

Problem: Sorry. I can't do that directly. I cannot try to create this angle. I cannot intentionally or deliberately hold my wrist.

My downswing takes a second and the angle of my wrists is not easy to visualize when it is happening. In fact, I don't think anyone can do it on purpose, but certainly not an amateur.

The wrist position occurs naturally when the swing and the golfer are oriented exclusively towards one goal.

It disappears as we focus on the ball, a mistake that is almost universal among fans.

What is really needed:

Practice slow swings in front of the mirror. Be aware of the position of the arms and hands during the swing. It is a laborious process, therefore, we should classify it as a process in itself, not as a quick golf tip.