Creativity on the golf course will not only improve your score, it will make the game of golf more fun and exciting. Hopefully every drive is in the middle of the fairway and every approach is very close to the hole. However, the chances are that you experience some trouble every once in a while that requires you to use your brain to escape it.

Here are a few things to consider when trying to get creative on the course:

· Consider the risk vs. reward. I like to think of the worst case scenario when attempting a high risk shot and make sure I’ll be comfortable with myself if it happens. That frees up any anxiety the shot could create and gives me my best chance to succeed. If the worst case is too much to handle then it may not be a good idea to attempt the shot.

· Practice creativity on the range. The best place to discover the different shots you can hit is on the driving range. I’m a big proponent of having always attempted any given shot in practice before using in a round of golf. A great way to practice your creativity on the range is to choose a target between 100-125 yards away, and practice hitting every club in your bag to that target. Then practice intentionally curving the ball and controlling your trajectory to hit high and low shots. Do this with every club in the bag and you’ll find that there a few clubs in there that are easier to control which means they can be your go-to clubs on the course.

· Practicing on the course. Without delaying pace of play, it’s always a good idea when you’re on the course in a non-competitive round to practice your creativity. Challenge your friends to a contest of who can pull off the wildest, most creative shot on the course. The possibilities are endless so get creative and have fun!

Every Friday I will be posting some golf tips here on my blog. If you have any questions about your game, or can think of a good topic for future tips, send it to me in an email at tyrus@hpgolfacademy.com or leave a comment below.

Putting and short game may be the fastest way to take a few strokes off your game, but developing a consistent full swing to improve your ball striking can give you lasting results and more consistently lower scores.

One key ingredient that is required to be a good ball striker is the ability to hit the ball in the center of the clubface more often than not. Here are some tips to help you find the sweet spot more often:

· Fundamentals at address. A good golf swing always starts with good fundamentals before the swing. Grip, aim, stance, and posture are the main fundamentals to focus on before you swing. If you are unsure about one or more of those fundamentals, find a PGA professional that teaches in your area or contact me and learn to start practicing those fundamentals the right way.

· Start small. Most players that miss the center of the clubface can be accused of over-swinging. It’s easy to watch the club and how far it goes back, but more importantly you should note how far your upper and lower body turns in the backswing. A great drill is to put your feet together to reduce lower body rotation and make swings focusing on hitting the center of the club face. This will make it easier for you to make contact in the center of the club face. You can then gradually add more lower body turn to increase swing speed.

· Stay connected. If your arms move away from your body during the swing it is difficult to hit the center of the clubface. Take a small towel and place it under your left arm. Using a short iron and a less than 50% swing, hit balls from a tee without dropping the towel. By keeping the towel under your arm you should start finding it easier to hit the center of the club face.

End of the Week Tip: Be Creative and Have Fun!

End of the Week Tip: Improving Contact on Full Swings