Do you remember Scottie Scheffler's 82-foot chip 17th hole to win the BMW Championship? It wasn't just a fluke. Instead, that was the best shot of his career, which came after years of hard work. While everybody wants to nail that shot, reaching Scottie's level is no child's play, however here are a few tips that can improve your game.
1. Check Your Grip Before Changing Your Swing
While the grip movement or changing the grip seems a bit boring, it actually plays an important role in a good shot. And these are the three types of grips that a golfer should take care of:
the strong grip, which promotes clubface closure
the neutral grip, which balances face control
the weak grip, which keeps the clubface open.
Though the neutral grip is recommended, each has its uses. You can alternate based on your need. The strong grip rotates more to the trail side while the weak grip favors the the lead side. You might not want to experiment with it too much. Just ask Tiger Woods.
Despite his father recommending a neutral grip for his playstyle, Woods experimented. "When I was younger, I kind of fought against my dad a little bit and put a little Harley grip on it to hit it a little further, but it got pretty wild."
2. Use Ground Pressure for More Power and Better Balance
The ground is your friend when it comes to generating power. Hence, when you plant yourself firmly into the grass, it lets you generate a lot of torque. The more torque you generate, the more power your swing has.
However, you need to learn to use this correctly. It's not just about having strong legs. Rather, you need to find the right balance, not over-relying on your heel or toes.
3. Set a Pre-Shot Routine and Stick to the Clock
Practicing well, able to land perfect shots, but don’t know what exactly your routine looks like? That’s where shots might get weak. What to do? Well, before every swing, your routine is your anchor.
Always set a routine, like an athlete sticks to their pace. The same goes with golf. For example, if you take 15-20 seconds to fix your posture before every shot. It lets you feel confident about performing well.
4. Pick a Clear, Specific Target for Every Single Shot
Some golfers just aim ‘straight’ and have no real target. But the fairway or green is far too broad, and there's a high chance you'll miss a good shot. Instead, pick a precise spot or line, something your eyes can lock onto.
After getting the right posture, make sure to look at the exact point at least twice before landing your shot. This practice will help you land the ball exactly how you wanted.
5. Reset Your Mind After Every Shot
Golfers sometimes avoid the emotional aspect while playing or practicing. But as a golfer, especially if you are a beginner, you must know how to master your emotions along with the technicalities.
Well, even your best shots can derail you if you let excitement take over. For instance, you have a good grip, balanced weight, and perfect posture, and you hit a ‘hole-in-one.’ Seems perfect, right? But in excitement, the next shot is ‘a shank,' because you couldn’t reset your emotions.
These tips may look basic to you, but these are a must-have to master the sport. Have you tried any of them? Let us know in the comment down below!
Aditi Singh
Hit the Farthest: 20 Driving Tips & Drills in GolfDriving in golf is not just hitting hard with all your strength rather it is a blend of control, ability, and accuracy. Mastering the art of drive separates weekend players from true contenders. From Ben Hogan’s timeless swing mechanics to Rory McIlroy’s explosive power, every pro relies on precision drills and focused techniques. These proven tips and driving drills can transform your swing, increase distance, and build confidence, bringing tour-level consistency to your game. Imago / VectorFusionArtRory McIlroy’s driving accuracy starts with perfect alignment, and you can copy it easily. Your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders should all be parallel to your ball-to-target line, almost like you’re standing on a pair of train tracks. Stand upright with a straight spine, then bend from your hips and flex your knees until your upper body settles naturally over the ball. This balanced position creates a stable base for power and precision. @michaelbreed/YoutubeJack Nicklaus always emphasized a full turn for power, and the key lies in the mid-spine. Place a club behind your back and hold it with both arms, then rotate your torso back and through without swaying. This drill encourages you to use your core to create a maximum range of movement, which translates into more speed and distance off the tee. @edwardsgolfPT/YoutubeTiger Woods often adjusted where he teed the ball to shape shots under pressure. If you’re aiming for a fade, tee up on the right side of the box and aim left. If you want a draw, tee up on the left and aim right. These small positional changes open up the hole, give you more fairway to work with, and help your natural shot shape shine. GolfDigestButch Harmon’s students often use a staggered gate drill to straighten out a hook. Set an alignment stick square to your target line, then position two extra balls three inches on either side of your main ball. As you swing, avoid touching those extra balls. This forces the club to follow a neutral path, preventing the excessive inside approach that causes hooks. @CogornoGolf/YoutubeBen Hogan mastered weight shift for distance, and you can train it by lifting the heel of your front foot at the top of the backswing, then stomping it down as you start your downswing. At impact, about 75% of your weight should be on that front foot. This dynamic shift generates speed, power, and a crisper strike. Swing StationIf your drives balloon sky-high, try Dustin Johnson’s shallow approach drill. Tee the ball normally and place an empty three-ball sleeve about five inches in front of it. Swing through without disturbing the sleeve. This forces an upward strike rather than a steep, descending blow, making it almost impossible to sky the ball. @carlociullogolf/YoutubeGreg Norman often hovered the club at address to stay tension-free. By starting the clubhead slightly off the ground, your forearms relax, your takeaway becomes smoother, and your swing flows more naturally. That lack of tension allows you to generate more speed through the ball. Women's GolfJustin Thomas focuses on incredibly small targets to improve accuracy. Before you swing, pick a tiny spot beyond the fairway, maybe a distant tree branch or rooftop, and take dead aim at it. Even if you miss that exact point, you’ll likely still find the fairway because your focus has narrowed so precisely. Adam Young GolfSergio Garcia’s legendary power comes from lag. In your backswing, allow your wrists to hinge naturally, creating an angle between the club and your forearm. Then practice making right-hand-only swings with an alignment stick, listening for the loudest swoosh to happen through the impact zone, not before. The later that release, the more explosive your drive. Tom MilesPhil Mickelson often practices with one hand to prevent overactive release. Swinging with your left hand only makes it harder to flip the clubface shut with your dominant right hand. This drill builds control and keeps the face square through impact, reducing hooks. @SwingStationgolf/YoutubeFred Couples’ effortless swing starts with the right grip tension. Hold the club out in front of you and waggle it. If the clubhead feels locked in place, you’re gripping too tightly. Maintain a relaxed hold that allows some play in the clubhead, then carry that same tension-free feel into your swing for better speed and control. Keyur KhamarMany amateurs stand too far from the ball, leading to off-center strikes. Here’s a quick fix: rest your little finger on your trouser seam and see if your outstretched thumb can touch the top of the grip. If it can, you’re the right distance away. This checkpoint ensures consistent contact every time. @Golfdistillery/YoutubeBrooks Koepka knows his shot patterns inside out. On the range, hit nine shots with your three longest clubs, three with maximum effort, three at your normal smooth tempo, and three at 90% of that smooth swing. Record the results to see which swing produces the most reliable fairway finder under pressure. @ChrisRyanGolf/YoutubeRickie Fowler uses foot powder spray on the clubface to see exactly where he’s making contact. After each shot, check the mark to see if it’s not centered, adjust your stance or ball position. In wet weather, the spray works better than impact tape and provides instant feedback. Howard BoylanTom Watson proved age doesn’t have to mean shorter drives. Loosening your grip pressure to about 4 out of 10 allows your wrists to hinge more freely, which promotes a faster release. Lifting your lead heel slightly during the backswing also helps load more weight onto your trail foot, making it easier to shift forward for extra speed. US Golf TVYour upper body should rotate to around 90 degrees while your hips turn about 45 degrees. To check this, slide an alignment stick through your belt loops and watch how much your hips turn at the top. If it’s less than 45 degrees, pull your right foot back slightly during practice swings to encourage more rotation and added power. @USGOLFTVshow/YoutubeErnie Els is famous for his “Big Easy” tempo, and this drill captures it. Hit three consecutive balls, one with a half swing, one with a three-quarter swing, and one with a full swing. This sequence teaches you to maintain rhythm and timing, even as your swing length changes. Dom FuroreTo break the over-the-top habit, set up normally, then raise the club so the head sits just below your knees. Swing the club around your body on this elevated plane, almost like a baseball bat. This feeling helps you approach the ball from the right path, creating a more natural release. @PerformanceGolfZone/YoutubeJon Rahm thrives under pressure because he simulates it in practice. On the range, imagine a narrow fairway and hit ten balls, aiming to land each one in that target area. Keep track of your score and push yourself to beat it each session. This not only sharpens accuracy but also conditions you to perform when it counts. @therealgolfsecrets/YoutubePadraig Harrington uses a simple trick to stay calm. He focuses on a spot just a few feet in front of the ball, like an old divot, instead of worrying about where the ball might finish. By aiming your shot over that nearby point, you mentally remove the pressure of the long carry ahead, making the swing feel easier and more confident. Padraig Harrington / Instagram
