The game of golf can seem quite challenging and there are several key factors to consider if you want to become a better player. The first step is to understand the role of the short game when it comes to shooting lower scores. The short game involves learning how to putt, chip and hit bunker shots as well as the wedge game and this is the foundation to playing great golf as in most rounds, you will find that around 60-70% of your shots come from inside 150 yards.

Learn the short game first:

Many people do not realize the critical importance of the short game if you want to become a better player. The only way to get better at the short game is to spend time on the range and practice greens working on the shots inside 150 yards. Always start every range practice session with the wedge and work your way up slowly to the driver as the last club. Do not make the mistake of taking the driver as the first club during a practice session because this is not the best approach to getting better at this game. Be sure to always allocate enough time to the short game during your practice as this is the fastest way to reduce your scores.

Remember that even the best pros do not hit their driver perfectly all the time, however their short games are extremely good so even on days when their ball striking is poor they are still able to post good scores because of their great short games. Learning to putt well is critical to shooting the lowest possible scores that you are capable of. There are many different putting techniques and styles out there that you can try and it is important to learn to rely on one primary putting technique and method if you want to be successful long term. If you have a bad round putting then you should not just change your putter and think that there is some putter out there that will magically make every putt go in the hole as this is not accurate. You must learn to train your stroke and then to trust it completely when you are about to hit the putt.

Reading the greens well is certainly an important component of putting success so the best approach here is to probably trust your first impression as it is usually right most of the time. Remember that even the best players misread easy putts so do not beat yourself up too much if you make a bad read, just trust that the next read will be accurate and you will make the putt. Confidence is critical to long term great putting so do whatever you need to maintain high confidence and learn to be more reactive on the greens and to avoid thinking too much especially as you are about to hit the putt, instead just keep the target in mind and let the putt go quickly trusting that you will make the putt.

Kenneth is an author and webmaster. Improve your game by using our golf handicap tracker to help you monitor your scores and practice habits so you can get better faster. Also learn effective golf driving tips to help you get better at the game faster.

Kenneth is an author and webmaster. Improve your game through tracking and monitoring of your scores and practice habits at http://www.golfhandicaptracking.com

Author Bio: Kenneth is an author and webmaster. Improve your game by using our golf handicap tracker to help you monitor your scores and practice habits so you can get better faster. Also learn effective golf driving tips to help you get better at the game faster.

Category: Sports
Keywords: hit golf ball straighter, golf putting tips, reducing my golf handicap