walking up by the green with the wrong club for the pitch shot; realizing you SHOULD walk back to the cart for the right club but instead try to use that wrong club thinking you can pull it off.
My habit is to be looking at my lie and line to the hole as I approach the green....Good procedure to follow: Grab putter and my wedges. Once I have taken my shot, I leave my wedges at the edge of the green on a direct line from the hole back to the cart. Saves time and I will never leave a club behind.
What about hitting a 6 instead of a 9 and putting it to 3 feet and briefly thinking you're a great golfer before realising it wasn't a 9 and that you just chunked a 6 LOL!
I have a brother in law who constantly mocked me for hitting two or three more clubs than him into the green. e.g. "I hit wedge, what did you hit? SEVEN???? What a wimp." (I have a twelve foot birdie putt, he is the front bunker.) He made me play from the back tees one day. I managed my game to an 83. He shot 92. I just don't play with him anymore.
My most common mistake: noticing on the tee shot while I'm ready to hit that my ball is too high or too low on the tee, and being too lazy to correct and do my routine again. 100 % chance of bad shot following
Thinking about the score or results rather than the current shot. This sometimes happens to me after a really good shot causing me to follow it up with a bad one.
Number 8, it depends on the club you’re hitting and the arc of the trajectory. A good rule is for every yard of elevation add half a yard to your distance. And the opposite is true for downhill shots.
You take the time to read a putt and adjust the line on your ball to the line of the putt...then you change your read and line when you are standing over the ball.
Aww man…. I never use more loft than is required. Your scores will thank you for it. Let the “shot” dictate the club. Never try to manipulate the wrong club for the shot. I’m very disappointed if I leave a chip more than 4 feet away. I’ll use anywhere from a 9i to a 57*. Practice with different clubs to get the feel of how far they roll out. It will knock at least 5 shots off your score on average. Trust me.
Hitting the ball on practice and just get it out of the trap are for everyone, a lot of the other stuff is for people who see pros and enter club tournaments. Hitting 3 chips inside 20 yards on a public course (dub it short, line drive it over) with less than ideal grass off the green adds a lot of stokes. Not marking the ball on green, then lining up the line on the ball with your 'line' like the pros, I quote 'line' because my lines outside of 3 feet are terrible but being 5 degrees off that 'line' is worse. Hitting a 40 foot put more than 10 feet left or right of the hole also adds a lot of strokes.
I tried to pull off a miracle 5 wood on the last hole of my round yesterday. If I had punched out from behind the tree I could have easily taken bogey instead of the triple that ruined my round. Ego kills!
Going for the hero low percentage shot which ive made a handful of times instead of the smarter play to save bogey.. but it's sure a lot more fun to pull off the hero shot
First stupid mistake- Not taking lessons from a competent instructor if your goal is to become a good player. The only exceptions I know of are Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. Second stupid mistake- Taking advice from your friends and other hackers that can't break 90 to save their lives or those you bet with on the course.
I'd add not watching your playing partners putts. the number of times I've learnt (or could have learnt) what is likely to happen to my putt near the hole simply by watching my partners' putts
Spending too much time overthinking the shot with practice swings then when you actually take the shot because you got so much in your head you fat the shot and don’t make clean contact. Not only does this frustrate yourself it frustrates your playing partner slows down play and ruins your game.
The layup I was laughing that's me I played both days this weekend was 250 out both times topped my wood straight into a hazard each time I told my self should have hit an 8 iron to about 100yds 😂😂😂
Par 5's, Laying up to 100ish yards is so smart, but the rule I have for myself is, 230 or less, no trouble, give it a go. Biggest challenge, stay away from trouble.
Mistake #1, focusing too much and not enjoying the round. You are out, you play golf and you should enjoy it instead of putting to much pressure of making a certain score or whatever.
@@hankvoight3326 So? What's that got to do with the price of fish? Golf is, first and foremost, recreational. It it only a very small proportion of golfers who ever play formal competitions of any sort.
When you decide to lay up then often you subconsciously take the pressure and tension off of yourself and then make a more smooth and relaxed swing that can result in you finding the sweet spot and making really good contact, which in turn ends up with your ball going that be farther than intended.
When you are setting up, you feel that something isn’t quite right in the set up. But will you stand up from ball and start again? No you carry on and duff the shot. Hardest thing in world to do is stop your routine and start again.
When I got new clubs I took them to the range to test and record how far I could hit. Not thinking about the not so great range balls. First Iron shot on the course and it went 15 yards past the flag.
These are great tips that took me years to learn from better players (especially when talking medal play course management). -Sounds insanely obvious, but always ID your ball. I have had caddies and spectators find my ball only to realize it is not when getting to the green. -As you said, avoid compounding mistakes. If you hit a bad shot, play for bogey. You may come out with a par. But you’ll avoid double and triple bogies. Has helped me make a lot of cuts in amateur events.
Let's talk about a "stupid mistake" most so-called expert instruction videos make - the instructor steps up to a ball, hits it (you see the results or not, it doesn't matter) and they look at you with that self-satisfied grin as if to say "look how easy that was". My top pet peeve for instructional videos. No one gives a flying f__k how easy it was for you to hit that shot.
Lack of humility, that is attempting a low percentage shot. As Sam Snead wrote, unless a big payoff was on the line, were he unsure of making the shot 7 out of 10 in his experience, he would consider a different approach. Sad that He did not do just this in throwing away his lead at the 72nd hole at the 1939 U.S. Open. Same for Phil Mickelson decades later when he may of had it in the bag for a USGA Open.
Forgetting to use a pencil with a eraser!!!!!!!!!! I have been told 97% of all average golfers shots end up short. So I always hit an extra club. It is amazing how much better I became! Once a round I over hit a green.
99% of amateurs think they hit the ball farther than they actually do. Lay up tip. Take 2 clubs less then you need to reach trouble. i.e. you hit a 7 into the bunker, you might just reach it with an 8 as well. But more importantly, how far out do you want to be? What's your best distance? Hit it to that distance, no further. Why leave 50 yds, when you hit a great wedge from 90 yds?
This kind of thinking has helped my game tremendously over the last few rounds as a new golfer. Been aiming to leave myself 125-140 yards for my approach as my 9i and pwedge are my 'best' clubs. Has resulted in more fairways and lower scores since I can tee off with an iron on most par 4s.
And of course the other thing is, you always hit lay up shots absolutely pure. There's a lesson there somewhere, but I've played 33 years and cannot learn it.
If 99% of golfers think they hit the ball farther than they do, if they take the club that they think will reach the trouble, they'll come up short every time, right?
Relatable. The 'guy who takes twelve practice swings and then still Duff's it and the swing looks totally different' is missing, as is the person who knows they slice/hook but still aims down the middle and gets confused why they end up in the bushes all the time? But my favorite is the 'tee it up too high guy' who pops it straight up in the air on most tee shots. Half a ball higher and no more is needed!
Allow me to preface my post. I had a benefit of playing hundreds of rounds with a friend who was also a Class A PGA Teaching pro. All of the tips posted here are from that individual. The green side bunker....I was taught "you're not that good. Get the ball on the green. Don't get cute. And don't try the hero shot. You might hit is just right 10% of the time " So, my advice....ABP......Always Be Putting. Shots where the pin is in a difficult place. Unless you're a single digit index player or a pro, cut the crap. Go for the center of the green. And here it is again.....ABP....Always Be Putting....Despite the shape and size of most greens, even a player with a mid level index( me) stands a much better chance of making par or at worst by hitting the green in regulation. The ball snookered behind the tree. IN the video, the shot from behind looking toward the green. I had already picked out the play I would make. Here it is ...If advancing the ball is possible, pick a spot on the fairway and get the ball to that area. It is MUCH easier to get the ball on the green in TWO shots if the ball is in the fairway. The scorecard. I play tournament golf. Our events are mostly shot gun starts. I can say I've made the mistake of filling out the card from hole one a few times. My trick...If for instance my first hole is #15. I take a Sharpie and draw a line to the LEFT of the spaces for hole #15. This alerts me to start scoring on the proper hole. Layups..Yep... The pro in the video is spot on. My layup is not as close to the green s possible. My layup is "put a FULL wedge ib my hands on the next shot"..I HATE trying to finesse a 55 yard punch wedge into a pin. I suck at it.
I find that I begin to get tired by the 12th hole. My distance suffers yet I still use the same clubs without adjusting for the decrease in club head speed.
I would add 2: 1. Standing on the tee and knowing you are not even, or your foot is in depression, or the ball is teed a little too high, and thinking, it's Ok I can hit it anyway instead of backing off and making the needed corrections. 2. For amateurs picking the correct tee box is crucial to enjoying your round. I see too many people pick the tee box by the length and how far they drive the ball instead of by their handicap. I have played with too many people who I call are all drive but no arrive. Sure, they hit 300 yds drives, but you never know where they are going. And then they really have no short to middle game. So they shoot 98 or 101 and are miserable the entire time. I realize this video may have been geared towards tournament play. But wanted to add this for amateurs like myself.
Toughest thing for me is to get out of my own head. I seem to focus so much on the little details to make a good swing that it doesn't happen all too often... If I could just relax, and trust my body that it knows what to do, then better things are going to happen.
Under reading the break on a putt, better to go in on the high side than the low, not knowing how far you hit each club, not thinking what side of the fairway to play into off the tee which means not giving yourself any green to work with, the list goes on
You missed the importance of warming up before... I.E not being on time for your tee time running from car to tee maybe do 1 or 2 practise swings just to send that 1st ball and your temper to hell :P
Me ALL THE TIME... However, I HATE when I show up without a tee time to our local par 3 and feel “rushed” to start my round. I wanna at least stretch and putt first!!!! They usually don’t even accept tee times if you call ahead!
Biggest mistake play within your limits and don’t try to match players who are much better than you. Its easy to lose your head when people in your group have Tee’d off perfect shots with their driver on the middle of the fairway 270 to 290 yards. It’s now your turn and you know you are not as good as them and have a bit of slice when you hit it full power. Best thing to do here is to think layup. So just hit 220 yards middle of fairway smooth and relaxed. No point for trying to hit it 280 when you know your swing is never accurate at that yardage. Play within your limits and play to your strengths. Don’t try to match people who play from scratch it ends in disaster and frustration
I won a knockout final (matchplay) against a higher handicapper once like this. I had to give him 21 shots but he kept trying to belt the shit out of everything to keep up with me. After I won 4 & 3 the pressure was off him and he got 3 and 4 points per hole on the remaining holes. All as he had to do was play his own game, not mine.
Jpgundarun Exactly when a golfer plays to his strengths he doesn’t need to belt the shit out of it. For example you can easily make up ground and recover on a great second shot. As long as you have power with control and your short game is solid you can have a great round. People get too jealous when they see a big driver shot, they start comparing cock size and get into an unnecessary battle of trying to hit longer beyond their ability. Always play your smooth controlled game and you will catch up or if you don’t accept you are playing with a much better player and be a sportsman for god sake!!
Good video I would add when on a par 4 we go for the driver or 3 wood most times. When if you took a 5 or 6 iron off tee wood leave a better shot to green where the woods end up in rough or tree. Hope this helps
The main thing that I see my playing partners do is come up short 95% of the time, on approach shots. This is nuts to me! Not sure if it’s an ego thing, or just always playing to hit that particular club absolutely perfect every time. I’ll sometimes hit 2 extra clubs(at least 1), than my buddies. However, I’m long as often as I am short, while they’re ALWAYS a mile short. My scores reflect this. While they talk about hitting their pitching wedge 160 yards that one time, all day, I’m shooting around par, and beating them by 10. Haha And as far as forgetting about speed, on a makeable putt…. I take my practice strokes imagining that I hit the putt, then simply “repeat” that stroke, once I dial it in. That takes speed out of the equation. Then, I can solely concentrate on starting the ball perfectly on my spot.
I remember Butch Harmon saying he could lower the scores of his trainee pros by a couple of shots a round if he could remove all the flags prior to them playing so they cant see where the hole is cut. Aim for the middle of the green every time and you'll hit far more. Great tip for us all I reckon.
I have a different distance problem when hitting at a range. The balls are harder and don’t fly as far as the balls I use on the course. I then find myself swinging harder on the range to make my 7 iron for example go as far as it does out on the course.
When playing uphill or downhill lies forgetting to take into account additional or reduced clubhead loft. Sometimes to disastrous effect (e.g. hitting a fairway wood from downhill straight into a pond instead of over it).
Aside from swing issues, here's a mistake every golfer has made (hacker or pro)- Not considering alternatives under the rules that provide relief for a ball laying in an horrendous position. Instead of checking the rules book, we'll look to getting the ball to the flag stick; well down the fairway or a 'simple' punch out. We naturally think of attempting a shot even Seve Ballesteros or Phil Mickelson would cringe at taking. Within a minute or so, should you are still guessing how to get the club face on the ball (much less getting to the flag ), pull out the rules book. Might cost you a couple of strokes; it might save your round from a horrible hole.
Missed a one foot putt today in the comp doing almost exactly what Neill showed in the video - cost me the gross win and left me at 36 points net exactly. Oops! ;-)
There is one important point you could add about under-clubbing uphill shots. Most uphill shots are also hit from an uphill lie. If so, you must add that into your calculation. I see many players add one club for such a shot wondering why they still came up short.
Very true bought so many sets of clubs and it didn’t improve my game. It gives you false confidence. Like when you buy a new set all those bad shots with the old set are gone and it’s a clean slate. Then after a few months playing they all come back again
I play lots of courses where the par 4's are around 350 yards or so. I score a lot better when I hit 3 and 4 irons off tees, and then have a 120 yard shot vs. the 70 yard shot after the driver.
Item 4 - Laying up. I find that I often get this wrong because if I play an 'easy' swing at the ball I strike it better and it goes further than usual, as opposed to trying to whack it and not making good contact.
Here's one I see far too many people do: When the pin is in the front of the green, people hit the club that goes that exact distance only when you hit a full shot perfectly. There are several things wrong with doing this. 1. Unless you're hitting a very lofted club, you have to consider you need some roll to get to that "exact" distance, and most people don't take that into account. For a longer club, that means the roll has to start before the green, and if there is a bunker or soft ground in front of the green, you just found it (and not the green). 2. How often do amateurs actually hit it the full distance for any given club? If you club up one and hit it flush, the worst that will happen is you hit the back part of the green, but you're still putting. If you hit it a little short, you're pin high! But...... 3. If you don't hit the full distance you were trying for when aiming for a front pin, you're now off the green AND short-sided (possibly in a bunker or swale too) which is the worst place to be around the green.
Losing confidence/focus as it goes on....stop having fun hitting balls all over the place....4 putting etc etc. STOP....let a few play through....try to regain focus....if not crowded...drop...hit it again.
Even worse, why do I need to see video of someone playing golf? That's why these top x lists suck because they drag the entire process out for days, unnecessarily and aggravatingly that's a big reason why this video is almost 3 years old now and still has only 750k views
I'm 73yo with bad legs, ankles and back. As a result, I haven't been able to golf in Many years. But, I still enjoy learning what I should have done. Thank You for talking to we golfers as intelligent adults that have Not just taken up the game.
mark your ball EVERY time you miss a putt - THIS IS WHY IT TAKES 5 hours cause idiots do this. yes walk around take a breathe - dont lean over and try to knock it in - by all means - but you DO NOT have to mark and wait on every putt. Why do you think 70 yards is a bad distance for EVERY GOLFER.
Hitting a driver of the deck in a fairway bunker with a lip. Usually a reliable club choice.... if in a fairway... with either an uphill stance or the ball slightly above the feet. Yeah probably should have taken some patience and have my caddie talk me out of it.
Anyone knows/have someone in their group who dress the part talk the talk with at least a $150+ golf bag, $500+ golf sets n a least $300+driver!! At end of 18 that person shoots upper 90’s?!!!
Playing the wrong ball. You say that's the last time you'll ever do it ... until the next time. Checking your ball as part of your pre-shot routine helps.
Your number 1 is hitting the ball with your practice swing? Seriously? I don't think I have seen that done in 45 years of play. Number 1 should have been: "blindly pulling the driver on every par 4 and not thinking about the distance you want to leave yourself from the green". Sometimes it is better to pull out a 3 wood, hybrid, or even an iron to limit the risk, position the ball on a dogleg, or to leave yourself with a full shot in for shorter holes. I only hit driver on 4 out of 10 par fours on my course now whereas 2 years ago it was 8 or 9 out of 10. I am losing less golf balls and scoring better because of it.
The back handed tap in. Marking it is ridiculous, it’s 2 inches, tap it in normally. Don’t back hand tap it, you may miss, don’t mark it, you’ll look like an idiot + slow play much? C’mon now!!
Playing the wrong ball from the rough ,check brand, number and for any distinguishing marks or logos,also identify your ball to your playing partners on the 1st tee.Senior golfers with poor eye sight and poor memory,you know it makes sense
(1) Playing with a long hitter and trying to hit the cover off the ball instead of playing your own game. (2) Trying to tee up high with a gusty wind behind you and launching the ball into outer space (3) rushing your putt because other player(s) are finished and on their way off green (4) running out your car onto the tee ill prepared physically or mentally (5) not concentrating on a wayward drive's ending because you're raging mad, then lose a ball or hold up the group (6) running out of balls because you never checked your stock (7) not wearing sun lotion (8) leaving your wedge on the side of the green while you go to putt and forgetting it (9) forgetting who's honour it is on the tee - the embarrassment (10) thinking about Paige Spiranac at any time during your round.
Leave your EGO at Home. My father in law (mid 60s) never shot below an 88. His driver only went about 225 yds on a great hit and he was always trying to hit a wood or long iron to make a birdie. I asked him to do me a favor for just one round. I asked him to treat par on each hole to be one more shot than the score card. That way all the par4s were par5 for him. Then I told him to hit a driver and then a comfortable second shot to a distance that he was good at. I told him maybe he would sink a few puts and make a true par. HE SHOT A 79!!!!. He was so happy. However, he couldn't bring himself to do that in front of his regular playing partners and as far as I know never did it again and never shot under 90 again.
1. Not stepping away from the ball when something doesn’t feel right. Then hitting a terrible shot. 2. Not checking your alignment towards the target, resulting in hitting a good shot at the wrong target.
Take your medicine. If you're in a bad spot except you probably won't make a par. Be happy with a bogy. Sometimes you will actually make par but you won't make a double.
Golf is about two things. Plan and execution. Its all about planning errors. How not to do any planning stupid mistakes. Pls workout on execution errors too. What mistakes most golfers do while executing the shot they have already planned for? That would be a great help too..!!
Pulling the wrong club. Hitting the 6, thinking it's a 9, etc. Or an 8 instead of an S. In the moment, you don't necessarily see the loft when looking down on the club. I've done this a few times, struck it perfect and on line, thinking "this is tasty" only to watch it sail still 30 feet in the air over the back of the green.
Not checking what club you actually have in your hand, and hitting (say) a 6 instead of a 9. I've done that, hit the perfect shot, got excited while it's in the air, and then look on in disbelief as it goes into the bushes over the green.
At number 1, surely Rule 9.4a comes into play and the ball is replaced with no penalty as no “stroke” was played and the ball was moved accidentally? Any thoughts?
I have an idea what the answer is, but you should clarify the better option for #8. For example, walking 20 yards back for a full sand wedge shot from a dry lie.
The gurus who give you 3-4 swing thoughts! When you are over the ball, clear your mind or say just take the club back smoothly, if you have multiple swing thoughts going through your head at this stage you are going to stuff the shot up. Have 2 good practice swings and then go for it.
what about lifting up or picking your head up during the swing? Or am I the only one who ever does that? Or trying to hit the ball too hard, put some extra oomph on it?
walking up by the green with the wrong club for the pitch shot; realizing you SHOULD walk back to the cart for the right club but instead try to use that wrong club thinking you can pull it off.
My habit is to be looking at my lie and line to the hole as I approach the green....Good procedure to follow: Grab putter and my wedges. Once I have taken my shot, I leave my wedges at the edge of the green on a direct line from the hole back to the cart. Saves time and I will never leave a club behind.
I have done that many times.
@@patersonplankrd I just carry the wedge with me and place it on the edge of the green in the path of the cart
And seemingly never pull it off 😂
LMAO
Hitting a 6 instead of a 9 and watching the ball go 40 yards past the hole . . .
Oh... Great call! Doesn't happen often but when it does...
What about hitting a 6 instead of a 9 and putting it to 3 feet and briefly thinking you're a great golfer before realising it wasn't a 9 and that you just chunked a 6 LOL!
Done that a few times! I keep the two of them as far apart as possible in the bag.
Or hitting a perfect 6 on a par 3 covering the flag all the way, watching it end up way short and then realising it was a 9 😳
That’s why they have lines under the numbers so you don’t get confused
Driving 45 minutes to the course and then driving 45 minutes back to get your clubs.
... then going back again to get your shoes! Ha ha
Steve's Place doh!
Never left my clubs at home but probably at least once per 18 I leave a pitching wedge on a green and have to cart my sorry ass back for it.
@@InWitheNew same lol
chance DO
One of the best comments here is about not caring what club other players are using.
Oh yeah....I tell my golfing buddies. "I have no ego to bruise"....
I have a brother in law who constantly mocked me for hitting two or three more clubs than him into the green. e.g. "I hit wedge, what did you hit? SEVEN???? What a wimp." (I have a twelve foot birdie putt, he is the front bunker.) He made me play from the back tees one day. I managed my game to an 83. He shot 92. I just don't play with him anymore.
@@tannhauser7584 sounds like a twat.
@@tannhauser7584 My guess is that he's a manager that has to control everything, and when things go bad blame's it on someone else.
You can ask what they hit and what they normally hit that club-that’s a big help. I this case, he sounds like a jerk
My most common mistake: noticing on the tee shot while I'm ready to hit that my ball is too high or too low on the tee, and being too lazy to correct and do my routine again. 100 % chance of bad shot following
I've done that too or standing on an uneven patch of grass while you tee off and being too lazy to change the tee location lol
yes!
I did this twice yesterday, lol. Once was with an iron on a par 3 - "I'll just make sure to hit down in it still?". 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
only if you suck
Thinking about the score or results rather than the current shot. This sometimes happens to me after a really good shot causing me to follow it up with a bad one.
Thats a great point!
"causing you"? you mean...your own thoughts causing you to hit a bad shot? LOL
@@touristguy87 That’s literally what he said. Are you slow?
@@CertifiedPG idiot what else is responsible for his bad shots than his own thoughts?
Me Monday. Looked at the scorecard and noticed I was +9 after 6 and got really excited then went to the 7th hole and +4'd the hole.
You have a birdieputt and youre so obsessed with that putt and go for it and end up 2 yards past....and with a bogey..
Number 8, it depends on the club you’re hitting and the arc of the trajectory. A good rule is for every yard of elevation add half a yard to your distance. And the opposite is true for downhill shots.
You take the time to read a putt and adjust the line on your ball to the line of the putt...then you change your read and line when you are standing over the ball.
I've done them all! You've left out one really important one, I think...Using a lofted club green-side when a bump and run is the percentage play!!
I do that 10 for 10
I agree. Bump n run is usually the better shot 7 out 10.
Amen, brother!
Aww man…. I never use more loft than is required. Your scores will thank you for it. Let the “shot” dictate the club. Never try to manipulate the wrong club for the shot. I’m very disappointed if I leave a chip more than 4 feet away. I’ll use anywhere from a 9i to a 57*. Practice with different clubs to get the feel of how far they roll out. It will knock at least 5 shots off your score on average. Trust me.
I do everyone of these hahahahaha and I would have duffed it in that annoying creek from That drop😂😂😂😂😂
Hitting the ball on practice and just get it out of the trap are for everyone, a lot of the other stuff is for people who see pros and enter club tournaments. Hitting 3 chips inside 20 yards on a public course (dub it short, line drive it over) with less than ideal grass off the green adds a lot of stokes. Not marking the ball on green, then lining up the line on the ball with your 'line' like the pros, I quote 'line' because my lines outside of 3 feet are terrible but being 5 degrees off that 'line' is worse. Hitting a 40 foot put more than 10 feet left or right of the hole also adds a lot of strokes.
3:05 "The red mist is descending." Brilliant. Know that mist all too well!
Yep, I have a hard time keeping my temper and not beating myself up.
I tried to pull off a miracle 5 wood on the last hole of my round yesterday. If I had punched out from behind the tree I could have easily taken bogey instead of the triple that ruined my round. Ego kills!
We've all done it!
Going for the hero low percentage shot which ive made a handful of times instead of the smarter play to save bogey.. but it's sure a lot more fun to pull off the hero shot
you could just ask your playing partners to give you a bad score and save everyone time
Biggest killer of my scorecard! Am trying to cut those out..
First stupid mistake- Not taking lessons from a competent instructor if your goal is to become a good player. The only exceptions I know of are Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Ben Hogan. Second stupid mistake- Taking advice from your friends and other hackers that can't break 90 to save their lives or those you bet with on the course.
I'd add not watching your playing partners putts. the number of times I've learnt (or could have learnt) what is likely to happen to my putt near the hole simply by watching my partners' putts
Thinking you're playing at the Masters or Pebble Beach when in reality you're playing on a reclaimed landfill.
Spending too much time overthinking the shot with practice swings then when you actually take the shot because you got so much in your head you fat the shot and don’t make clean contact.
Not only does this frustrate yourself it frustrates your playing partner slows down play and ruins your game.
that happens to me when waiting behind a group...stand there for 10 minutes and overthink and over analyze and end up doing nothing good
The layup I was laughing that's me I played both days this weekend was 250 out both times topped my wood straight into a hazard each time I told my self should have hit an 8 iron to about 100yds 😂😂😂
Par 5's, Laying up to 100ish yards is so smart, but the rule I have for myself is, 230 or less, no trouble, give it a go. Biggest challenge, stay away from trouble.
I’d hit my p wedge 3/4 swing 100
Mistake #1, focusing too much and not enjoying the round. You are out, you play golf and you should enjoy it instead of putting to much pressure of making a certain score or whatever.
Yes, well said
I think it’s fun to compete and shoot low scores.
Can’t even stress this enough, so accurate
You’ve obviously never played college golf
@@hankvoight3326 So? What's that got to do with the price of fish?
Golf is, first and foremost, recreational. It it only a very small proportion of golfers who ever play formal competitions of any sort.
Is your name really “Tap in”? Love it!
missed a lot of 1 footers
When you decide to lay up then often you subconsciously take the pressure and tension off of yourself and then make a more smooth and relaxed swing that can result in you finding the sweet spot and making really good contact, which in turn ends up with your ball going that be farther than intended.
When you are setting up, you feel that something isn’t quite right in the set up. But will you stand up from ball and start again? No you carry on and duff the shot. Hardest thing in world to do is stop your routine and start again.
When I got new clubs I took them to the range to test and record how far I could hit. Not thinking about the not so great range balls. First Iron shot on the course and it went 15 yards past the flag.
Oh man, I didnt even think about the range balls being rocks. Nice tip
Not enough club is the biggest mistake ! If I had a pound for everytime I've come up short, I'd have earned more money from golf than a decent pro.
Yep, my shotscope clearly tells me that 75% of my approaches are short and right.
These are great tips that took me years to learn from better players (especially when talking medal play course management).
-Sounds insanely obvious, but always ID your ball. I have had caddies and spectators find my ball only to realize it is not when getting to the green.
-As you said, avoid compounding mistakes. If you hit a bad shot, play for bogey. You may come out with a par. But you’ll avoid double and triple bogies. Has helped me make a lot of cuts in amateur events.
Neil, a simple rule for slope is +/- 1 club length for every 15' change in elevation.
Let's talk about a "stupid mistake" most so-called expert instruction videos make - the instructor steps up to a ball, hits it (you see the results or not, it doesn't matter) and they look at you with that self-satisfied grin as if to say "look how easy that was". My top pet peeve for instructional videos. No one gives a flying f__k how easy it was for you to hit that shot.
As a big guy I feel this way with excersize videos as well 🤣
Lack of humility, that is attempting a low percentage shot. As Sam Snead wrote, unless a big payoff was on the line, were he unsure of making the shot 7 out of 10 in his experience, he would consider a different approach. Sad that He did not do just this in throwing away his lead at the 72nd hole at the 1939 U.S. Open. Same for Phil Mickelson decades later when he may of had it in the bag for a USGA Open.
Hitting driver off the tee when a straighter, but shorter club makes more sense.
Forgetting to use a pencil with a eraser!!!!!!!!!! I have been told 97% of all average golfers shots end up short. So I always hit an extra club. It is amazing how much better I became! Once a round I over hit a green.
I don’t trust sprinkler head marked yardages... because, the maintenance crew switches them around.. Uhg
If you ever hit the ball while taking a practice swing you need some serious help lol.
Zach Johnson did it at the masters. And it’s no longer a stroke. You replace it penalty free
Jonathan Abrams I remember that. I can say I’ve never done it in my life. So maybe I’m better than ZJ?! Jk
Chase Northcott we all need this type of confidence😂👌🏾
I’ve done it quite a few times and I do need serious help :o))
If you don't hit the ball while practice swinging you aren't drinking enough
99% of amateurs think they hit the ball farther than they actually do.
Lay up tip. Take 2 clubs less then you need to reach trouble. i.e. you hit a 7 into the bunker, you might just reach it with an 8 as well. But more importantly, how far out do you want to be? What's your best distance? Hit it to that distance, no further. Why leave 50 yds, when you hit a great wedge from 90 yds?
This kind of thinking has helped my game tremendously over the last few rounds as a new golfer. Been aiming to leave myself 125-140 yards for my approach as my 9i and pwedge are my 'best' clubs. Has resulted in more fairways and lower scores since I can tee off with an iron on most par 4s.
And of course the other thing is, you always hit lay up shots absolutely pure.
There's a lesson there somewhere, but I've played 33 years and cannot learn it.
If 99% of golfers think they hit the ball farther than they do, if they take the club that they think will reach the trouble, they'll come up short every time, right?
That''s a really long explanation of "course management"
Keeping playing instead of giving the stupid game up is my worst mistake
Every golfer thinks this at least 3 times a round, at least if they play like I do 😂😂😂
Relatable. The 'guy who takes twelve practice swings and then still Duff's it and the swing looks totally different' is missing, as is the person who knows they slice/hook but still aims down the middle and gets confused why they end up in the bushes all the time? But my favorite is the 'tee it up too high guy' who pops it straight up in the air on most tee shots. Half a ball higher and no more is needed!
My favorite, standing too close to the ball...after you hit it
Or worse yet ... it's closer to me after I hit it than before I hit it. I've even had a couple come back and thump me because of my stupidity.
Teeing up on the first tee-box is usually the start of bad things for me...... :)
Allow me to preface my post. I had a benefit of playing hundreds of rounds with a friend who was also a Class A PGA Teaching pro. All of the tips posted here are from that individual.
The green side bunker....I was taught "you're not that good. Get the ball on the green. Don't get cute. And don't try the hero shot. You might hit is just right 10% of the time "
So, my advice....ABP......Always Be Putting.
Shots where the pin is in a difficult place. Unless you're a single digit index player or a pro, cut the crap. Go for the center of the green. And here it is again.....ABP....Always Be Putting....Despite the shape and size of most greens, even a player with a mid level index( me) stands a much better chance of making par or at worst by hitting the green in regulation.
The ball snookered behind the tree. IN the video, the shot from behind looking toward the green. I had already picked out the play I would make. Here it is ...If advancing the ball is possible, pick a spot on the fairway and get the ball to that area. It is MUCH easier to get the ball on the green in TWO shots if the ball is in the fairway.
The scorecard. I play tournament golf. Our events are mostly shot gun starts. I can say I've made the mistake of filling out the card from hole one a few times. My trick...If for instance my first hole is #15. I take a Sharpie and draw a line to the LEFT of the spaces for hole #15. This alerts me to start scoring on the proper hole.
Layups..Yep... The pro in the video is spot on. My layup is not as close to the green s possible. My layup is "put a FULL wedge ib my hands on the next shot"..I HATE trying to finesse a 55 yard punch wedge into a pin. I suck at it.
I find that I begin to get tired by the 12th hole. My distance suffers yet I still use the same clubs without adjusting for the decrease in club head speed.
I would add 2:
1. Standing on the tee and knowing you are not even, or your foot is in depression, or the ball is teed a little too high, and thinking, it's Ok I can hit it anyway instead of backing off and making the needed corrections.
2. For amateurs picking the correct tee box is crucial to enjoying your round. I see too many people pick the tee box by the length and how far they drive the ball instead of by their handicap. I have played with too many people who I call are all drive but no arrive. Sure, they hit 300 yds drives, but you never know where they are going. And then they really have no short to middle game. So they shoot 98 or 101 and are miserable the entire time. I realize this video may have been geared towards tournament play. But wanted to add this for amateurs like myself.
Drive for show, putt for dough
Forgetting to buy tees/balls and trying to make 1 last all round.
Toughest thing for me is to get out of my own head. I seem to focus so much on the little details to make a good swing that it doesn't happen all too often... If I could just relax, and trust my body that it knows what to do, then better things are going to happen.
Under reading the break on a putt, better to go in on the high side than the low, not knowing how far you hit each club, not thinking what side of the fairway to play into off the tee which means not giving yourself any green to work with, the list goes on
Knowing you’re set up wrong but taking the shot anyway instead of stepping back and resetting. Me all the time.
My most common
You missed the importance of warming up before... I.E not being on time for your tee time running from car to tee maybe do 1 or 2 practise swings just to send that 1st ball and your temper to hell :P
Me ALL THE TIME... However, I HATE when I show up without a tee time to our local par 3 and feel “rushed” to start my round. I wanna at least stretch and putt first!!!! They usually don’t even accept tee times if you call ahead!
Biggest mistake play within your limits and don’t try to match players who are much better than you.
Its easy to lose your head when people in your group have Tee’d off perfect shots with their driver on the middle of the fairway 270 to 290 yards.
It’s now your turn and you know you are not as good as them and have a bit of slice when you hit it full power.
Best thing to do here is to think layup. So just hit 220 yards middle of fairway smooth and relaxed.
No point for trying to hit it 280 when you know your swing is never accurate at that yardage.
Play within your limits and play to your strengths.
Don’t try to match people who play from scratch it ends in disaster and frustration
I won a knockout final (matchplay) against a higher handicapper once like this. I had to give him 21 shots but he kept trying to belt the shit out of everything to keep up with me. After I won 4 & 3 the pressure was off him and he got 3 and 4 points per hole on the remaining holes. All as he had to do was play his own game, not mine.
Jpgundarun Exactly when a golfer plays to his strengths he doesn’t need to belt the shit out of it.
For example you can easily make up ground and recover on a great second shot.
As long as you have power with control and your short game is solid you can have a great round.
People get too jealous when they see a big driver shot, they start comparing cock size and get into an unnecessary battle of trying to hit longer beyond their ability.
Always play your smooth controlled game and you will catch up or if you don’t accept you are playing with a much better player and be a sportsman for god sake!!
Good video
I would add when on a par 4 we go for the driver or 3 wood most times. When if you took a 5 or 6 iron off tee wood leave a better shot to green where the woods end up in rough or tree. Hope this helps
Yip that would be my biggest mistake! 🙂
Just play to somewhere 100-150 yards, easy swing for GIR. Such a hard concept for most players.
The main thing that I see my playing partners do is come up short 95% of the time, on approach shots. This is nuts to me! Not sure if it’s an ego thing, or just always playing to hit that particular club absolutely perfect every time. I’ll sometimes hit 2 extra clubs(at least 1), than my buddies. However, I’m long as often as I am short, while they’re ALWAYS a mile short. My scores reflect this. While they talk about hitting their pitching wedge 160 yards that one time, all day, I’m shooting around par, and beating them by 10. Haha And as far as forgetting about speed, on a makeable putt…. I take my practice strokes imagining that I hit the putt, then simply “repeat” that stroke, once I dial it in. That takes speed out of the equation. Then, I can solely concentrate on starting the ball perfectly on my spot.
Golf would be easier if I’d just take more club rather than try to swing harder. That’s the mistake I make most often.
11:10 bloody hell that was awesome
So No. 10 of the countdown, where you dropped the ball in a bad place, why not show the spot where you should of dropped the ball.
Apologies - I should have been clearer with it. I would just have gone further back on a flat lie, full, swing and with some grass under the ball
I did not write this comment.
thank you
3:51 I’d have no respect for someone if they marked that!!
I remember Butch Harmon saying he could lower the scores of his trainee pros by a couple of shots a round if he could remove all the flags prior to them playing so they cant see where the hole is cut. Aim for the middle of the green every time and you'll hit far more. Great tip for us all I reckon.
Hitting an accidental 200 meter record shot when being two meters from the green while trying to chip it in close.
I have a different distance problem when hitting at a range. The balls are harder and don’t fly as far as the balls I use on the course. I then find myself swinging harder on the range to make my 7 iron for example go as far as it does out on the course.
Yes - interesting. I think the quality of driving range balls makes a big different to the quality of practice you are able to put in
When playing uphill or downhill lies forgetting to take into account additional or reduced clubhead loft. Sometimes to disastrous effect (e.g. hitting a fairway wood from downhill straight into a pond instead of over it).
Aside from swing issues, here's a mistake every golfer has made (hacker or pro)- Not considering alternatives under the rules that provide relief for a ball laying in an horrendous position. Instead of checking the rules book, we'll look to getting the ball to the flag stick; well down the fairway or a 'simple' punch out. We naturally think of attempting a shot even Seve Ballesteros or Phil Mickelson would cringe at taking. Within a minute or so, should you are still guessing how to get the club face on the ball (much less getting to the flag ), pull out the rules book. Might cost you a couple of strokes; it might save your round from a horrible hole.
Missed a one foot putt today in the comp doing almost exactly what Neill showed in the video - cost me the gross win and left me at 36 points net exactly. Oops! ;-)
I couldnt believe it, watching this I recognised the name of the course and it turns out my step father was president there for years!!!
Medal?
no guts , no glory 😅
There is one important point you could add about under-clubbing uphill shots. Most uphill shots are also hit from an uphill lie. If so, you must add that into your calculation. I see many players add one club for such a shot wondering why they still came up short.
Good point Rick
Make sure you are hitting the correct ball. It only takes a second to check.
Mistake #1 - Buying new and expensive clubs thinking it'll make them a better Golfer..
Fair point Mike
Very true bought so many sets of clubs and it didn’t improve my game.
It gives you false confidence.
Like when you buy a new set all those bad shots with the old set are gone and it’s a clean slate. Then after a few months playing they all come back again
How about always hitting driver on par 4s and 5s. Lots of MEN do that...
I play lots of courses where the par 4's are around 350 yards or so. I score a lot better when I hit 3 and 4 irons off tees, and then have a 120 yard shot vs. the 70 yard shot after the driver.
Item 4 - Laying up. I find that I often get this wrong because if I play an 'easy' swing at the ball I strike it better and it goes further than usual, as opposed to trying to whack it and not making good contact.
For me, number 1 mistake by a country mile is letting a bad hole affect my next few holes and sometimes even my round!!!
Playing conservative is a stupid mistake. Give me one miracle shot to talk about over a decent score any day.
Here's one I see far too many people do: When the pin is in the front of the green, people hit the club that goes that exact distance only when you hit a full shot perfectly. There are several things wrong with doing this. 1. Unless you're hitting a very lofted club, you have to consider you need some roll to get to that "exact" distance, and most people don't take that into account. For a longer club, that means the roll has to start before the green, and if there is a bunker or soft ground in front of the green, you just found it (and not the green). 2. How often do amateurs actually hit it the full distance for any given club? If you club up one and hit it flush, the worst that will happen is you hit the back part of the green, but you're still putting. If you hit it a little short, you're pin high! But...... 3. If you don't hit the full distance you were trying for when aiming for a front pin, you're now off the green AND short-sided (possibly in a bunker or swale too) which is the worst place to be around the green.
Losing confidence/focus as it goes on....stop having fun hitting balls all over the place....4 putting etc etc.
STOP....let a few play through....try to regain focus....if not crowded...drop...hit it again.
Even worse, why do I need to see video of someone playing golf?
That's why these top x lists suck because they drag the entire process out for days, unnecessarily and aggravatingly
that's a big reason why this video is almost 3 years old now and still has only 750k views
I'm 73yo with bad legs, ankles and back. As a result, I haven't been able to golf in Many years. But, I still enjoy learning what I should have done. Thank You for talking to we golfers as intelligent adults that have Not just taken up the game.
That west hills looks absolutely superb 👍
It is... well worth a visit if you can
I've made all of these! 👏🏻😂
mark your ball EVERY time you miss a putt - THIS IS WHY IT TAKES 5 hours cause idiots do this. yes walk around take a breathe - dont lean over and try to knock it in - by all means - but you DO NOT have to mark and wait on every putt.
Why do you think 70 yards is a bad distance for EVERY GOLFER.
Hitting a driver of the deck in a fairway bunker with a lip. Usually a reliable club choice.... if in a fairway... with either an uphill stance or the ball slightly above the feet. Yeah probably should have taken some patience and have my caddie talk me out of it.
My mistake is always thinking I'm a good golfer when in reality I'm below-average but had ONE great round in 2003 that I hold to be my true game.
Forgetting to check weather ahead of time, and not asking your girlfriend if she'd like to go. 👀
Anyone knows/have someone in their group who dress the part talk the talk with at least a $150+ golf bag, $500+ golf sets n a least $300+driver!! At end of 18 that person shoots upper 90’s?!!!
Hit a 9i when I thought it was a 6i...
Playing the wrong ball. You say that's the last time you'll ever do it ... until the next time. Checking your ball as part of your pre-shot routine helps.
Your number 1 is hitting the ball with your practice swing? Seriously? I don't think I have seen that done in 45 years of play.
Number 1 should have been:
"blindly pulling the driver on every par 4 and not thinking about the distance you want to leave yourself from the green".
Sometimes it is better to pull out a 3 wood, hybrid, or even an iron to limit the risk, position the ball on a dogleg, or to leave yourself with a full shot in for shorter holes. I only hit driver on 4 out of 10 par fours on my course now whereas 2 years ago it was 8 or 9 out of 10. I am losing less golf balls and scoring better because of it.
The back handed tap in. Marking it is ridiculous, it’s 2 inches, tap it in normally. Don’t back hand tap it, you may miss, don’t mark it, you’ll look like an idiot + slow play much? C’mon now!!
Playing the wrong ball from the rough ,check brand, number and for any distinguishing marks or logos,also identify your ball to your playing partners on the 1st tee.Senior golfers with poor eye sight and poor memory,you know it makes sense
(1) Playing with a long hitter and trying to hit the cover off the ball instead of playing your own game. (2) Trying to tee up high with a gusty wind behind you and launching the ball into outer space (3) rushing your putt because other player(s) are finished and on their way off green (4) running out your car onto the tee ill prepared physically or mentally (5) not concentrating on a wayward drive's ending because you're raging mad, then lose a ball or hold up the group (6) running out of balls because you never checked your stock (7) not wearing sun lotion (8) leaving your wedge on the side of the green while you go to putt and forgetting it (9) forgetting who's honour it is on the tee - the embarrassment (10) thinking about Paige Spiranac at any time during your round.
Leave your EGO at Home. My father in law (mid 60s) never shot below an 88. His driver only went about 225 yds on a great hit and he was always trying to hit a wood or long iron to make a birdie. I asked him to do me a favor for just one round. I asked him to treat par on each hole to be one more shot than the score card. That way all the par4s were par5 for him. Then I told him to hit a driver and then a comfortable second shot to a distance that he was good at. I told him maybe he would sink a few puts and make a true par. HE SHOT A 79!!!!. He was so happy. However, he couldn't bring himself to do that in front of his regular playing partners and as far as I know never did it again and never shot under 90 again.
1. Not stepping away from the ball when something doesn’t feel right. Then hitting a terrible shot. 2. Not checking your alignment towards the target, resulting in hitting a good shot at the wrong target.
Take your medicine. If you're in a bad spot except you probably won't make a par. Be happy with a bogy. Sometimes you will actually make par but you won't make a double.
Golf is about two things. Plan and execution. Its all about planning errors. How not to do any planning stupid mistakes. Pls workout on execution errors too. What mistakes most golfers do while executing the shot they have already planned for? That would be a great help too..!!
Hitting the ball with a practice swing, i believe now you can replace the ball with no penalty. Isn't that correct?
www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2019/04/golf-rules-hitting-ball-with-practice-swing-zach-johnson-masters.html
Pulling the wrong club. Hitting the 6, thinking it's a 9, etc. Or an 8 instead of an S. In the moment, you don't necessarily see the loft when looking down on the club.
I've done this a few times, struck it perfect and on line, thinking "this is tasty" only to watch it sail still 30 feet in the air over the back of the green.
Aaagh. I've done No.7 so many times. Usually takes until the 9th before I realise. 🤯
Ditto
How is hitting the ball with your practice swing the #1 stupid mistake? Its not even a penalty, and rarely happens anyway. 🏌️♂️
on the first tip.. the sprinkler says 156 , the fag is red which means front , which obviously makes it 145- 150. you range finder people are sad lol
Not checking what club you actually have in your hand, and hitting (say) a 6 instead of a 9.
I've done that, hit the perfect shot, got excited while it's in the air, and then look on in disbelief as it goes into the bushes over the green.
At number 1, surely Rule 9.4a comes into play and the ball is replaced with no penalty as no “stroke” was played and the ball was moved accidentally? Any thoughts?
I have an idea what the answer is, but you should clarify the better option for #8. For example, walking 20 yards back for a full sand wedge shot from a dry lie.
When you can't get the ball out of trouble reliably, don't keep digging. As Dirty Harry famously said, a man's got to know his limitations.
The gurus who give you 3-4 swing thoughts! When you are over the ball, clear your mind or say just take the club back smoothly, if you have multiple swing thoughts going through your head at this stage you are going to stuff the shot up. Have 2 good practice swings and then go for it.
what about lifting up or picking your head up during the swing? Or am I the only one who ever does that? Or trying to hit the ball too hard, put some extra oomph on it?