If golf had a patron saint, it might just be Tiger Woods. Recently, he imparted some saintly wisdom, advising amateurs to “Don’t watch F****** YouTube videos” when looking for golf tips. His point? Not all advice is sage advice.
In the spirit of dodging bunkers and avoiding water hazards, let’s examine 10 pieces of golf advice that you might want to tee off into the woods.
10 Golf Tips you need to ignore
1. “Keep Your Head Down”
The Myth:
“Keep your head down” is a mantra often heard on golf courses, driving ranges, and family gatherings alike. It’s a tip that’s been passed down through generations, from grandfathers to fathers to sons and daughters.
Deep Dive:
While the intention is good — to maintain focus and ensure a solid strike — this advice can actually backfire. Staying too rigid can lead to a constrained, unnatural swing, which may reduce your power and accuracy. Moreover, it can also disrupt your follow-through, the crucial part of the swing that ensures the ball goes where you want it to.
Expert Opinion:
Butch Harmon, renowned for turning amateurs into pros, has often debunked this myth. “A rigid neck can be a swing killer,” he says. “Allowing your head to move naturally with your swing creates a fluid motion, which is key to generating power and accuracy.”
2. “Swing Slow for Better Control”
The Myth:
The “swing slow” philosophy is as widespread as the idea that golf is a good walk spoiled. Many weekend warriors embrace this approach, thinking they’ll have more control over the ball’s final destination.
Deep Dive:
The pitfall here is that you may end up disrupting the natural flow and rhythm of your swing. Your body has a certain biomechanical harmony, and consciously slowing down your swing can throw it out of balance. This can lead to awkward, choppy swings that lack both power and precision.
Expert Opinion:
Jack Nicklaus, a man synonymous with golfing greatness, has a different take. “Power and control are not mutually exclusive,” he points out. “A well-balanced swing allows for both. Don’t confuse caution with a lack of speed.”
3. “Always Use a Tee”
The Myth:
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, you’ve likely heard the advice that using a tee is always beneficial. It supposedly ensures a cleaner, loftier shot, making it easier to clear hazards.
Deep Dive:
This one-size-fits-all advice ignores a crucial point: different clubs and shots require different approaches. Tees can be fantastic for drivers, but when you’re using irons or wedges, the natural lie may offer better control and spin. Also, using a tee for every shot can make you dependent on it, limiting your versatility as a player.
Expert Opinion:
Ernie Els, a true aficionado of the game, suggests a more nuanced approach. “The tee isn’t always your friend,” he says. “Sometimes the best tee is the ground beneath your feet. It’s about understanding the right tool for the job.”
4. “Keep Your Eye on the Ball”
The Myth:
This advice is so prevalent that you’d think it was etched into the very clubs we use. The idea is simple: keep your eye locked onto the ball throughout the swing to avoid mis-hits.
Deep Dive:
While it’s important to maintain focus during your swing, a laser-like fixation on the ball can actually be detrimental. It can make your swing rigid and limit your body’s natural rotation. Moreover, this excessive focus can actually lead to ‘tunnel vision,’ where you lose sight of the bigger picture—like the direction in which you’re aiming.
Expert Opinion:
Tom Watson, a master of technique, advises against this rigid focus. “Your eyes should be on a focal point, but your body should be in motion,” he says. “Locking your eyes can lock your swing. Instead, let your head rotate naturally to allow for a smooth, powerful swing.”
5. “The Bigger the Backswing, the Better”
The Myth:
This tip suggests that by taking the club back as far as humanly possible, you’ll generate more power. It’s an attractive concept, particularly for those who equate effort with outcome.
Deep Dive:
However, an exaggerated backswing can wreak havoc on your game. You risk throwing off your balance, altering your swing plane, and even straining your muscles. All of this can result in a lack of control and a compromised downswing, ultimately affecting both your power and accuracy.
Expert Opinion:
Rory McIlroy, known for his efficient and powerful swing, offers sage advice. “A swing is a system,” he says. “Overstretching in the backswing can cause a cascade of problems in the rest of the swing. Keep it controlled and focused for best results.”
6. “Always Aim for the Pin”
The Myth:
The flag is your North Star, guiding you towards golfing glory. Or so the conventional wisdom goes. The idea is that aiming for the pin will get you the closest to it.
Deep Dive:
While it may seem counterintuitive, always aiming for the pin can often set you up for disaster. Golf is a strategic game, and ignoring elements like wind direction, sand traps, and water hazards in favor of a beeline to the flag can end poorly. Additionally, greens are often sloped or contoured in ways that make aiming for the pin a risky proposition.
Expert Opinion:
Gary Player, one of the greatest golfers of all time, takes a strategic view. “Golf is a game of risk and reward,” he notes. “And sometimes, the reward is in playing it safe. The middle of the green is often a sanctuary, especially when the pin is in a precarious position.”
7. “Grip the Club Tightly for More Power”
The Myth:
The tighter you grip the club, the more power you’ll have in your swing. This advice often comes from those who equate muscle with might.
Deep Dive:
Ironically, gripping the club too tightly can have the opposite effect. A death grip can create tension in your arms and shoulders, which then restricts the natural fluid motion needed for a powerful swing. This tension can actually slow down your clubhead speed, resulting in weaker shots that may also be off-target.
Expert Opinion:
Sam Snead, a legend in golf history, uses a gentle metaphor to convey his point. “Hold the club as if you’re holding a bird,” he advises. “Too tight, and you’ll crush it. Too loose, and it will fly away. The right grip is somewhere in between and allows for finesse as much as force.”
8. “Plant Your Feet Firmly”
The Myth:
A solid foundation, according to this tip, will give you the stability you need to swing powerfully. It’s as if your feet are rooted to the ground, providing a stable base for your swing.
Deep Dive:
While stability is undoubtedly important, this advice can often be misconstrued to mean rigidity. Keeping your feet too planted can restrict your hips and limit your ability to generate power from the ground up. This is especially important in the downswing, where foot flexibility can actually help generate more force.
Expert Opinion:
Lee Trevino, with his unique and effective style, puts it succinctly: “Your feet should dance in tune with your swing,” he advises. “A little movement can help you find the right rhythm and generate more power, which is essential for a balanced and effective swing.”
9. “Never Up, Never In”
The Myth:
The saying “Never up, never in” suggests you should always putt with enough force to get the ball past the hole. In other words, give it a good wallop.
Deep Dive:
While you don’t want to undershoot, sending your ball racing past the hole can be just as disastrous. The key to successful putting lies in the ability to read the green’s characteristics, such as its speed and slope. Hitting too hard often leaves you with a challenging return putt, turning a potential one-putt into a dreaded three-putt.
Expert Opinion:
Phil Mickelson, one of the finest putters the game has ever seen, offers a nuanced perspective. “Putting isn’t just about power, it’s about perception,” he says. “Understanding the green’s layout and adjusting your putt’s power accordingly is what separates good putters from great ones.”
10. “Practice Makes Perfect”
The Myth:
The more you practice, the better you’ll get. This tip is often given as an unquestionable truth across many disciplines, not just golf.
Deep Dive:
It’s not just about how much you practice, but how you practice. Mindlessly hitting balls on the range can often ingrain bad habits rather than eliminate them. Effective practice is focused and purposeful, targeting specific areas for improvement and simulating real-game situations.
Expert Opinion:
Ben Hogan, one of the hardest-working players in the history of the sport, puts a spin on the age-old adage: “It’s not just practice that makes perfect; it’s perfect practice,” he stresses. “Every swing you make is a commitment, make it a good one.”
So there you have it, a comprehensive guide to the golf advice that might just be below par. Take it all with a grain of salt, or perhaps a handful of sand, and find what truly works for you. After all, the best golf advice is the one that helps you enjoy the game even more. Swing away!
