One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned on my journey from high handicapper to single figures is this: it’s more about having a single-figure mindset than a single-figure swing.
Before I broke into single digits, I thought it was all about having the “perfect” swing – the kind that would effortlessly find fairways and hit greens. But the truth is, you can be a single-figure golfer with a playable rather than perfect swing.
Looking back on how I cut my handicap from 34 to 9 in a year, it was learning to think like a single-figure golfer – even when my scores didn’t show it (yet) – that helped the most.
So if you’re a high handicapper looking to improve, these are the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference for me and can for you too.
Strategy Beats “Should”
One of the most powerful shifts you can make is to let go of what you think you “should” do and focus instead on what will help you score.
You don’t have to hit driver just because it’s a par 4 or 5. You don’t have to go for the green on a par 3 if it’s more likely that you’ll end up in trouble, rather than reach it.
This isn’t about playing overly safe but if experience tells you that you “always” find that fairway trap when you take driver on that par 4, change your approach.
For example, there’s a few holes at my home course (West Surrey), where I’ll take an iron or hybrid off the tee because I know that 8 times out of 10, I’m giving myself a better next shot than if I just reach for driver because I think I “should”.
(Image credit: Jess Ratcliffe)
Plot Your Way Back From The Pin
Before every tee shot, approach or lay-up, ask yourself: where do I want to be for my next shot?
This might be picking a target that gives you a better angle into the green or that takes the trouble out of play.
For example, I’ll harness this strategy on a par 4 at my home club that has two fairway bunkers right up the middle. Knowing you’ve got to aim left or right to avoid them, I’ll pick my target off the tee based on where the pin is. When it’s at the front, I’ll aim up the left because that gives me more room with my approach. But when it’s a middle or back pin, I’ll aim up the right to do the same.
(Image credit: Jess Ratcliffe)
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