Golf Tips for Beginners: Goal Setting In 2022

Between perfecting your putting game and fine-tuning your drive, the sport of golf can take years to master. However, once you have a solid foundation, it is a fun and social sport you can enjoy for a lifetime. 

One of the most valuable golf tips for beginners is to set achievable goals for different areas of their game. When you clearly define your goals in the sport, you’ll stay motivated and begin to excel in every aspect of your game. 

In this post, our team of golf professionals at The Cliffs will help you identify five key goals you should set for yourself as well as steps you can take to improve your game. 

Goal #1: Keep a detailed log of all your time on the course

The first thing our team of golf pros recommend is to keep track of their time spent golfing. This can be anything from practicing your putting at home, taking private lessons with a golf professional, or time spent playing a round of 18 holes. The more detailed you are, the better. Write notes about what strokes you worked on, what went well (or didn’t) that day, the weather conditions –– anything that can provide you with insight later on.

You may be asking yourself, why does this matter? Well, at times it can be frustrating and difficult to stay motivated, especially when you don’t feel like the work you are putting in is leading to better results. But when you have a detailed log of your time spent practicing or playing, it becomes apparent which aspects of the game you’re not spending enough time on. Moreover, you can also determine what styles of practice work best for you. 

If you play competitively, keep a record of your scores. Some avid golfers like to use apps on their phones to keep track of their scores. Over time, this will come in handy if you set a goal to lower your overall score by a certain number of strokes by knowing what number you should work towards.

Goal #2: Lower your handicap

Wanting to lower your handicap may seem obvious to most golfers, regardless of how long they have been in the sport. But, in order for this to become a reality, it’s important to tie specific numbers to your goal –– and tracking your progress will help you determine the starting value.

First, start by identifying what your current handicap is, then set a reasonable goal that is within range. From there, give yourself a specific timeline to accomplish this goal. Most importantly, sit down and create a practice strategy that identifies what areas of your game you will focus on during your practice sessions in order to improve your game. 

Goal #3: Consistently putt under 3

One of the quickest ways to lower your golf score is to focus on putting under 3 strokes. Another one of the most common golf tips for beginners is to practice putting from 30 yards away, as well as from 3 feet away. This is also known as the “Rule of 33”.   

It is said that practice makes perfect –– so to hold yourself accountable and increase your practice time, consider making a small investment and purchasing a putting mat for your home. This piece of equipment will make it more convenient for you to practice your short game without having to make your way to a practice facility or course. 

Goal #4: Develop a pre-shot routine 

Repetition is a powerful tool –– and in a sport such as golf, which is just as much a mental sport as it is physical, it can help take your mental toughness to the next level. As your muscles memorize your routine, your body will require less energy and concentration to execute your shots. In fact, you may have noticed that many professional golfers have a pre-shot routine that they follow before hitting the ball. A routine like this can simplify your thoughts and create consistency in your game.

Take some time to create a routine that works for your style of play. Over time, as you develop this skill, you will create pathways in your brain that enable you to play more confidently, regardless of the conditions.  

Related: Top Habits Every Golfer Should Develop 

Goal #5: Golf on different courses 

The more time you spend golfing at one particular course, the more likely you are to learn the style of play necessary to be successful there. As time passes, this makes you believe that you are improving as a player, when in reality, you have simply learned the tricks necessary to do well on that specific course. 

We understand that for most players at The Cliffs, it is easy to get stuck playing on their home course out of convenience. That is why we recommend that you set a goal to play on a certain number of different styles of golf courses each month. This will help get you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to develop a strategy on different styles of course. Over time, you will be exposed to different challenges that will refine your skills and style of play. Maybe you’ll even conquer Ben’s Bunker at The Cliffs Valley, or number two green at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls. Golf members at The Cliffs are fortunate to have the opportunity to choose from seven distinct courses, creating a golf experience unlike any other. 

Seven Golf Courses, Right Outside Your Door

At The Cliffs, golf holds a special place in our community –– and as a golf member, you can play on a unique course, seven days a week! Each of our seven luxury communities is centered around a world-class golf course designed by some of the greatest players and golf course architects in the sport. 

From Tom Fazio to Jack Nicklaus, each course has been expertly designed in a way that accentuates the natural features of the land as players make their way through the grounds. With a true mountain golf experience at The Cliffs at Glassy to lake-front golf at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards, there is never a dull moment at The Cliffs.  

If you would like to learn more about our exclusive golf membership, and how you too can take part in this lifestyle at The Cliffs, please contact a member of our team today.