From the journal
5 Common Mistakes Beginner Golfers Make (And How to Fix Them)
The same five misses show up in the bay. None of them need a new swing theory. They need a looser grip, a target, and a warm-up.
· Chase Toomey
1. Gripping the club too tightly
A tight grip feels like control. It is tension. Hold the club firmly enough that it does not turn in your hands, and loosely enough that the wrists can still move. If your forearms burn before the tenth ball, the grip is too tight.
2. Swinging harder to go farther
Speed without contact does not add carry. A smooth, balanced swing lets the club do the work. On the monitor, watch smash factor. If club speed goes up and smash goes down, the harder swing lost the strike.
3. Ignoring the short game
It is tempting to live on the driver. Putting and chipping change the score faster. Use the lesson for full-swing contact, then spend real time on a green. The mat will not teach a three-footer.
4. Aiming with your feet and hoping
Poor alignment sends good swings at the wrong tree. Aim the clubface at the target first. Then set your feet, hips, and shoulders parallel to that line. A setup change is often the whole fix.
5. Starting cold
Walking straight into a full swing makes the first holes a warm-up you did not mean to play. Stretch, hit a few easy balls, and roll a few putts. In the bay, the first ten balls are the baseline, not the grade.