Hey there!

Let's kick things off with a question: when you're putting in those practice hours, are you honing your golf game or just fine-tuning that "golf swing"?

I've seen countless folks spend hours grinding on the range without seeing a dent in their scores. It used to baffle me until I got a better grip on what really shapes your game. Today, I want to dive into the nitty-gritty of scoring, distinguishing between playing the game and getting lost in perfecting your swing.

Start At The End

When was the last time you took a good, hard look at your own golf game? Most of us finish a round and only dwell on the "shoulda, coulda, woulda's". I'm throwing down a challenge: shift your focus to your entire game. What did you nail? Where did you struggle? What parts were just so-so? Try breaking it down into different areas to get a fuller picture. This approach helps break free from fixating on a couple of bad swings and highlights the breadth of this game beyond just striking the ball.

Track Your Stats

I keep harping on this, but seriously, tracking your stats is a game-changer for improvement. The tech available today is mind-blowing! Here are some of my top picks:

1. Arccos Golf - Get 10% off by using code: BOBAKERGOLF

2. Golf Shot

3. SwingU

4. The Grint

5. 18 Birdies

Not into tech? Go old school! Grab a scorecard or try something like Journal 18 to manually track your stats.

Game Categories to Track

Let's break it down into six key categories:

• Tee shots

• Approach shots

• Recovery shots

• Short game (less than 100 yards)

• Putting

• Mental

This breakdown helps me size up my game holistically and chart out an improvement plan for my practice sessions.

My 1-2-3 Rule

Here's my takeaway: perfection in all six categories isn't necessary for a solid score. Nail one area, be above average in a second, and hit an average mark in a third—that's the sweet spot. For me, it's:

1. Tee shots - nails

2. Mental game - above average

3. Putting - average

Where do you shine in your game? Not sure? Start tracking and see where your strengths lie!

How To Practice To Score Better

Now that you've sized up your game, let's dive into effective practice. If your aim is to slash those scores, it's time to gamify your practice and spend more time out on the course than just pounding balls on the range. Trust me, nothing beats actual playing experience. Here are a couple of games I've concocted while brainstorming for this newsletter. Of course, there are plenty more out there, so don't hesitate to tap into your resources.

One Side

Here's a game to spice up your round: before teeing off, decide which side of the fairway or rough you'll aim to land your tee shots on. Play the first nine holes aiming for the left side and the next nine targeting the right side. It's a fun way to sharpen your accuracy while navigating the course.

Scoring

1 - correct side

0 - opposite side fairway

-1 - rough or worse opposite side

How many points can you get?

Long Ball

I've witnessed many players fall short of the mark by selecting the wrong club for their approach shots. This game is tailored to inspire shots that not only reach the flag but also go beyond it.

Scoring

Try to get as many points as possible. See image above for points.

In Conclusion

As always, I hope you gathered some valuable takeaways from this week's newsletter. Keep in mind, improving your golf swing doesn't always guarantee lower scores. While having a fundamentally sound swing is important, playing well encompasses more than just striking the ball effectively. Best of luck out there!

Questions from my Wife Who Doesn’t Golf

👩 Wife: Should a sand wedge only be used from a sand bunker?

🏌️‍♂️ Me: Nope! A sand wedge is versatile—it works on any surface! Many assume the "S" designates it only for sand, but skilled players use sand wedges on various surfaces for different shots.

• 👉️Check out my Golf Journal blog where I’m archiving all of my Newsletters plus occasionally adding some additional content and thoughts.

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