Tip of the month - September
Aim for the Middle - let the pin come to you

One of the easiest ways to lower your scores has nothing to do with changing your golf swing.

It starts with choosing a better target.

Stop Automatically Aiming at the Flag.

Many golfers see the flag and immediately aim directly at it. But when the flag is close to a bunker, water, or the edge of the green, you’re bringing unnecessary trouble into play.

Instead make the middle of the green your default target.

A shot toward the center gives you more room for error in every direction.

Try the 20-Foot Rule.

Before every approach shot, look at the flag and ask:

“If I miss this shot by 20 feet, where will the ball finish?”

If that miss brings a bunker, water, deep rough, or a difficult short-sided chip into play, adjust your target farther toward the safe part of the green.

You’re not trying to avoid making birdies.

You’re trying to eliminate unnecessary double bogeys.

Your September Challenge

For your next round, try this:

Unless you have a comfortable shot to an accessible flag, aim toward the middle of the green.

Keep track of how many greens you hit and how many difficult recovery shots you avoid.

You may discover something surprising:

Better scores don’t always require better swings. Sometimes they just require better targets.

Remember

Find the safe target. Commit to it. Make your normal swing.

Play smarter this September and give yourself more opportunities to putt for par-or better.

Jim Powers, PGA Life Member
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