Every golfer who steps up to the tee prays that they will be able to replicate the form and technique of the world’s best players. Anyone seriously interested in playing golf will have looked to the masters for inspiration to improve their game. The good news is that many of the best golfers have been very generous in giving advice and encouraging amateur players. In this post, we provide 5 tips from the best golfers to have ever played to help you progress your game the next time you hit the fairways.
Bob Hogan – Imagine a Glass Pane on Backswing
Widely considered to have the best swing ever in golf, Bob Hogan has been an inspiration for players since the 50’s. His most famous advice is on the backswing, where Hogan famously says that he would imagine swinging under a pane of glass. To practice this drill, imagine a large pane of glass running from the ball up through your shoulders and behind your head. As you bring the club back, you must ensure your left arm is always below the pane and focus on not letting your club “break” the glass. At the top of your swing, your hips should be rotated at almost 45 degrees; this will create the lag needed to generate power. When you come down, remember the glass pane to ensure the club stays close to the body for a clean and powerful strike.
Nick Faldo – Lift the Lead Heel For Driver Distance
A master of the game, Faldo has become an online mentor to many amateur players through his easy teaching style. Most golfers struggle with their driver, especially if they are not flexible or a senior player. To generate more power from the driver swing, Faldo recommends lifting the lead heel up during the backswing to allow for a greater rotation. Then, as you commence your downswing, snap the left heel down, “squashing the bug” Faldo calls it, which will pull the driver down and close to your body rather than over the top of the ball.
Phil Mickelson – Turn Your Shoulders When Chipping
Mickelson is considered one of the best short-game players in golf, and his technique has been emulated by many players. One of his most important pieces of advice is that players must turn their shoulders when chipping, similar to the movement of a full swing. Turning the shoulders allows the club to stay on the right plane and not come in too steep, which can lead to thinning or chunking a shot. Getting this movement right will increase your ball control when chipping, as it decreases the hand action in a chip and increases the feel.
Jack Nicklaus – Play To Your Natural Tendencies
Known as ‘The Golden Bear,’ Nicklaus still holds the record for the most major wins, which makes his advice extremely valuable to players of every level. While Nicklaus has advice on the specifics of the game, perhaps his most useful advice is for players to play to their natural tendencies. He recommends that players don’t play shots they are not comfortable with or don’t fit their game, especially under pressure. Golf is a mental game, and if you only play to your strengths, you will find playing far more consistently. It was this consistency that led The Golden Bear’ to 18 majors.
Tiger Woods – Don’t Wacth YouTube Go Hit Balls
As the world’s most widely known golfer, Tiger Woods has inspired many people to play golf, and his golf swing and technique have been poured over by many golfers hoping to replicate his flawless game. Woods has given many technical pieces of advice over the years, and he famously wrote a book titled How I Play Golf. Yet the most useful bits of advice were given at the Nexus Cup at Liberty National: “Don’t watch YouTube” and “Go hit balls.” This is advice that Woods follows himself, “When I’m getting ready for tournaments, I make sure that each and every day I have 1,000 contacts with the club.” This includes a mixture of long shots, chips, and putts. While watching videos can be informative, the only way to improve is to practice, practice, and practice some more. Woods believes this is the only way to develop the feeling and sensation of being a good golfer.