The Most Common Golf Problems (And Simple Fixes)

The most common golf problems are often ones that we have control over. One of the beautiful parts of this game we love is that it when it comes right down to it, it’s truly you against the course. You’re not trying to get open or break a tackle on a football field, or get past a defender on the basketball court. The goal is simple – get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. The task itself, however, is not. Let’s address some of the most common golf problems that are often seen for amateur golfers and some simple ways to work towards addressing them.

NOTE: This is not the be all, end all list. But rather a few areas to see if you stand to make improvement.

It All Starts with the Grip

When diagnosing common golf problems, one of the first places to start is by checking our grip.

The only physical connection we have to the golf club is through our hands, so a proper grip is a crucial, and often overlooked, part of the golf swing for many amateur golfers. It directly impacts how you make contact with the ball and can be the difference between hitting a green or ending up in a hazard. This is one of the most common golf problems seen (and a great starting point to check) if you consistently miss in one direction on the course.

While there isn’t one singular grip that is best for all players, the below core principles will generally set you up for success and get you into a neutral starting point.

The Lead Hand (left hand for right handed players)

• Hold the club in the fingers, not the palm
• The grip runs diagonally from the base of your pinky to the middle of the index finger
• When you close your hand, the thumb will sit slightly right of center of the grip

When positioned properly on the grip, a “V” should form on your hand at the base of the thumb that points towards your trail shoulder. You should also have 2 – 3 knuckles visible.

The Trail Hand (right hand for right handed golfers)

• The lifeline of the trail hand covers the thumb of the lead hand
• The club rests in the fingers, not the palm
• The thumb sets slightly left of center on the grip

As with the lead hand, the trail hand’s “V” also points towards the trail shoulder. We should aim to see no visible gap between the palms of each hand, which allows them to work together in the golf swing.

When it comes to your preferred grip style, use whatever is most comfortable. Common grips include the overlap, interlock and while less common, the 10 finger (baseball) grip. The next time you head out to practice, do a quick grip check before your session starts.

Short Game Struggles

Success in the short game can be the difference of 4 – 5 strokes or more in any given round. Think back to the last round you played for a moment. How many times did you need a second chip shot to get onto the green? How many three putts did you card? Did you come up short on any approach shots?

Many of these common golf problems that amateur golfers face can be avoided with proper practice (check out this article on ways to reduce your three putting) and improved decision making. My advice? Commit to one club for all of your shots inside 100 yards.

Committing to One Club

While I understand that this is not the approach every golfer should take, many (especially those who struggle with consistency) can benefit from committing to one club for shots in close proximity to the green. When I got inside of 100 yards this past season, the only club I used was a 52 degree wedge (excluding shots from the sand). This allowed me to get very comfortable with the types of swings I needed to execute regardless of my proximity to the pin by building a familiarity with the club. I knew exactly what to expect out of the shot, which removed an element of decision making on which club would be best for a specific instance.

If you are a mid to high handicap golfer who struggles with consistency inside “x” number of yards, give this a try and see what it does for your game.

Course Management

Course management very well may be one of the most common golf problems for amateurs. I’ll once again ask you to think back to the last round you played. Pick any hole on the course and replay it in your mind from tee to green. When assessing which club to take off the tee, did you factor in potential hazards that could come into play with your selection? Did you consider what the safest miss would be on a less than ideal strike when picking your target? Did you factor in things like wind and lie on your approach into the green? What does your shot shape look like today?

If you’re not taking into account everything that could cost you a stroke during a round, you’re leaving yourself at unnecessary risk of higher scores. This may sound overwhelming, but I assure you, it is not. The next time you head to the course, keep some of the following tactics in mind:

• Play to a shot shape, not a “perfect” shot
• Club up more than you think
• Aim for the middle of the green regardless of pin location
• Know when (and where) to lay up
• Play away from hazards off the tee
• Take your medicine after a bad shot

Common Golf Problems Solved

A solid grip, simplifying your approach to short game and practicing smart course management are three key steps to making sure you are setting yourself up for success when you head to the tee box. Avoiding these common golf problems will have you on the path to better, more consistent golf. Put them into action today to start the journey to improving your game.