What I Wish I Knew 20 Years Ago: A Shortcut to Improving Your Golf Game

Ready to get started? Join us today and let’s hit the course together sometime! Whether you’re looking to get an official handicap for the first time or wanting to improve your existing one, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Golf is a game for everyone, and with a handicap, you can fairly compete against one another, regardless of skill level.

So come on, let’s play golf and enjoy the beautiful courses Australia has to offer!

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What I Wish I Knew 20 Years Ago: A Shortcut to Improving Your Golf Game

Golf is a game where you’re always learning, and looking back often shows how small changes could have made a big difference early on. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, these are the top things I wish I had known when I started golf 20 years ago—a collection of tips, tricks, and insights to help you improve your game faster.

1. Prioritize the Short Game

The short game—putting, chipping, and pitching—accounts for most of the strokes in a round. Spend more time practising shots within 100 yards. Even 30 minutes a week focusing on putting and chipping can dramatically lower your scores.

2. It’s Not About Hitting It Far

Golf isn’t just about driving the ball long distances. Accuracy and consistency matter far more than raw power. Focus on controlling your shots and hitting fairways and greens instead of trying to hit it miles.

3. Invest in a Good Set of Lessons Early

A few quality lessons from a professional can set the foundation for a solid swing. It’s much easier to learn proper mechanics from the start than to unlearn bad habits years later. You don’t need to buy a 10-lesson package or go twice a week for a full year. Two or three lesson with lots a practising in between is the best way to go about things.

4. Play Within Your Limits

Know your strengths and weaknesses and play to them. If you’re not confident hitting a driver, use a 3-wood or hybrid instead. Avoid trying hero shots that can lead to disaster—stick to high-percentage plays that keep you in the game. Chipping out sideways, and making a bogey is sometimes the only thing to do. Don’t try go for hero shots that will damage your scorecard.

5. Learn the Importance of Club Selection

Choosing the right club for each shot is a skill that comes with experience. Pay attention to yardages, wind, and course conditions. A well-placed 7-iron is often better than an overpowered 5-iron. Find a simulator or range and hit 10 shots with each club. Make a note of your average distance for each club. This will help drastically when on the golf course.

6. Practice Course Management

Think your way around the course. Instead of aiming for the flag on every hole, consider where the safest landing area is. Position your shots to avoid hazards and set up easier approaches to the green. Sometimes missing 20 yards right of the flag, but still on the green is better than missing 20 yards left and in the hazard or bunker.

7. Develop a Pre-Shot Routine

A consistent pre-shot routine helps eliminate doubt and focus your mind. This includes visualizing the shot, aligning correctly, and committing to your swing. It’s a simple but powerful way to build confidence.

8. Don’t Neglect Mental Toughness

Golf is as much a mental game as it is physical. Learn to stay calm under pressure, manage frustration, and bounce back from bad shots. Positive self-talk and deep breathing can help keep you focused. Keeping your heart rate down through breathing and staying in the moment could be your biggest asset on the course.

9. Use the Right Equipment

Playing with clubs that suit your skill level can make a big difference. Beginners should look for forgiving clubs with larger sweet spots, while advanced players might benefit from more precise irons. Custom fitting is worth the investment. From lie angles to the length of your clubs, and even putter fittings, there is a reason why professionals are so particular about this, because it helps! No matter what your level is, having the right clubs for you is incredibly important.

10. Learn to Love the Practice Range

Practising with intention is the quickest way to improve. Focus on specific goals, like fixing your slice or improving your bunker play, rather than just hitting balls aimlessly. Quality practice beats quantity. This means a quick precise 15/20 minute session is much better than a 1h30m ball bashing session, keeping this in mind will help you practice and improve more, as you don’t need to take a large amount of time out of your day.

11. Putting Is a Game Changer

The saying “Drive for show, putt for dough” exists for a reason. Spend time mastering the art of reading greens, controlling distance, and sinking those crucial short putts. There is no point in hitting two great shots onto the green and then three-putting every time you get there. Putting is where you see your scores drop the most.

12. Adapt to Conditions

Golf courses and weather conditions vary widely. Learning to adapt your game—like hitting lower shots into the wind or judging distance on wet greens can give you an edge.

13. Warm Up Properly

A good warm-up routine prevents injuries and gets you into the right mindset. Stretch, hit a few balls at the range, and practice putting before your round to start strong.

14. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Golf can be overwhelming at first, but most players are happy to share advice or tips. Whether it’s from a coach or a more experienced friend, don’t hesitate to ask for guidance.

15. Enjoy the Game

Finally, remember why you started playing golf in the first place. It’s about having fun, enjoying the outdoors, and challenging yourself. Don’t let the pursuit of perfection take away from the joy of the game.

Final Thoughts

Golf is a lifelong journey, and no one gets everything right from the start. These lessons, learned through years of trial and error, are designed to give you a head start and save you from common frustrations.

Whether you’re new to the game or looking to improve, these tips can help you build a strong foundation and take your golf game to the next level. Start small, stay consistent, and most importantly, enjoy every round.

Golf is a game of skill, strategy, and precision. For players of different abilities, competing fairly can be a challenge without a standardized system. That’s where the golf handicap comes in, ensuring a level playing field for all golfers, from beginners to professionals. In this guide, we’ll dive into why having a handicap is beneficial and answer essential questions like what should my handicap be, how long does it take to get a handicap, and more.

What is a Golf Handicap?

A golf handicap is a numerical measure that represents a golfer’s potential skill level. It helps players of different abilities compete fairly, by adjusting the number of strokes a golfer is allowed to take. In essence, the lower the handicap, the better the player.

For example, if Golfer A has a handicap of 5 and Golfer B has a handicap of 15, Golfer B will receive additional strokes to even out the competition, making it fair for both players.

Encourages Goal-Setting and Personal Challenges

For many golfers, lowering their handicap is a key goal. This system encourages players to focus on improving specific areas of their game and set personal goals. As you see your handicap drop, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that drives you to keep practising and improving your skills.

Facilitates Tournament Participation

Many tournaments require participants to have an official handicap. Without one, you might miss out on a wide range of opportunities to compete in organised events at local clubs, amateur competitions, or even larger tournaments. Having a handicap ensures you’re eligible for these events and that you can compete fairly.

Supports Strategic Course Management

Knowing your handicap also allows you to make smarter decisions on the course. Players with higher handicaps might focus on playing conservatively, while lower handicap golfers can take more risks. By integrating your handicap into your strategy, you’ll improve your overall performance and learn to manage the course more effectively.

What Should My Handicap Be?

One of the most common questions new golfers ask is, what should my handicap be? For beginners, it’s typical to start with a high handicap, such as 20-36 for men or 20-40 for women. As you gain experience and improve, your handicap will decrease.

For an average golfer, handicaps usually range between 10-20. Experienced players often have handicaps under 10, and professionals typically play with a handicap close to zero or even in the “plus” range. The goal is to keep improving your game and lowering your handicap over time.

What Are Professional’s Handicaps?

How Long Does It Take to Get a Handicap?

A common query from new players is, how long does it take to get a handicap? Getting an official handicap typically requires submitting scores from 3 to 5 rounds of golf. These scores are used to calculate your handicap based on your performance and the difficulty of the courses you’ve played.

Once you’ve established a handicap, it will be updated as you play more rounds and submit additional scores. It’s essential to keep tracking your scores regularly to maintain an accurate handicap.

At The Golf Collective to establish a handicap, you’ll need to complete 54 holes. You can achieve this by playing three 18-hole rounds, six 9-hole rounds, or a combination of both. Ensure your scores are verified by a playing partner and submitted according to our straightforward guidelines. Be sure to keep your scorecard for each round.

How The Golf Collective Can Benefit You

You can submit all of the rounds you play, not just at your ‘home course’. You can play at any course recognized for handicapping, and your scores will still be valid. Our system allows you to enjoy golf wherever you choose while ensuring your handicap stays accurate and up to date.

Unlike clubs that rely on manual scorecards, our mobile scoring system offers a convenient, paperless solution for submitting your scores. This allows for quicker handicap updates and provides a more streamlined, modern golfing experience.

At The Golf Collective, you can enjoy a social round anytime, anywhere, and still have it count toward your handicap. Our flexible system lets you play on your schedule while keeping your handicap accurate and up to date.