42 - In order to become better, you need to have a greater command of skills to include, a wider variety of shots, course management, self management and positive attitude

42. In order to become better, you need to have a greater command of skills to include, a wider variety of shots, course management, self management and positive attitude

In this posting I have produced a general game development table to offer you some guidance for improvement. To use the guide, look at the handicap range you are in and read the different sections under the four headings. Work on the ideas in your sections to lay down the necessary foundation to achieve the next level up.

It is a general guideline and to be honest, there could be up to 8 categories at least making the handicap ranges closer together, especially in the lower handicap range. For example, the 0 to 5 handicap category would be split from 0 to 2 and 3 to 5 as the difference between a player on 2 and one on 5 is huge even though it is only 3 shots.
It is as hard to get from 5 handicap to 3 as it is getting from 28 to 18. As you can see, in order to become better, you need to have a greater command of skills to include, a wider variety of shots, course management, self management and positive attitude.

Handicap Category	Long Game Driver thru to 4 iron	Mid Game 5, 6 and 7 iron	Short irons and less than full shots	Chipping & Putting
Handicap range: 0 to 5	Focus on ball flight shape and placement of ball in favourable side of the fairway. Long approach shots should always be aimed into the largest part of the greens.	Try to play these clubs into the part of the green so as to leave yourself either flat or uphill putts. You will need to hone your ability to hit ½ and ¾ shots with all these irons.	These are the attacking irons. Practise a wide variety of shots to suit all eventualities. In most cases, the hole is your target with these clubs.	At least 50% of your practice time is required in this department. All top players have excellent short games. Top players are looking to “hole out” from off the green.
Handicap range: 6 to 12	Discipline yourself to play within your capabilities. Learn to keep emotions under control.	Learn how to hit at no more than 80% effort and always play for the centre or largest part of the green. A ball in the middle of any green is never far from the hole.	Aim to pitch the ball up to the hole. To do this, you must pay more attention to the depth of the green. Most greens are at least 2 clubs deep. Better judgement means less 3 putts and more single putt chances.	Start to see yourself as a better putter by actually seeing more putts holed in your minds eye. Practise holing more 3 and 4 footers. (Gill, link to putting book!)
Handicap range: 13 to 18	Learn to accept that aggression is not the answer. Think of making a full free flowing swing and finish in balance.	Do not try to guide your shots. Learn to trust your swing. Keep good rhythm going. Make yourself a better bunker player as fear of sand tightens you up making you prone to try and steer your shots.	Being to careful makes for deceleration. Commitment to accelerate club through impact is essential. Check swing length if you over shoot the greens.	The frequency of 3 putting needs to be tackled. 34 putts a round is your average target . My putting drill publication covers this problem in great detail. ( Gill Link to book !)
Handicap range: 19 to 28 and beginners	Practise making the basic swing movements rather than focusing on the results. Focus on the cause of good results all the time. Get cause right and results happen in time. Don’t get overly technical.	Just as in the long game section , make it a priority to develop simple swing basics. Results happen in time. There are no lasting quick fixes at this level.	Remember that the club picks the ball up. Many players at this level try to “help” the ball airborne with what appears as a scooping action. Competence will come if you stop trying to make it happen.	Most beginners apply themselves to putting far to late in their golf careers. Get familiar with the basic simple technique A.S.A.P. Keep a putter close by as much as possible and practise. ( Gill, again link to putting book please)

Link from table to Nigels putting book????