Perhaps you’ve broken 100 once but can’t seem to do it again, or maybe you play the front nine 2 over and the back nine 10 over.

Consistency in golf is the dream of every enthusiast.

This article will show you what it takes to become a more consistent player, why inconsistency creeps in, and what you can do to keep your game steady from one day to the next.

How to Become Consistent in Golf (Key Takeaways)

To become consistent in golf, you need certain skills and knowledge. Here are some key takeaways for achieving consistency in your game:

• Incorporate Technology: Incorporate technology into your golf practice routine, especially technology that offers real-time feedback.
• Check Grip Consistency: Check on grip consistency, which is often more important than grip position.
• Maintain Rhythm and Tempo: Rhythm and tempo should be nearly the same every time, regardless of the club you have in your hand.
• Use a Pre-shot Routine: Always use a pre-shot routine, develop it through practice, and stick to it.
• Focus on Clubface Angle: Focus on the clubface angle at impact and how your wrists control that. Having some flexion in the lead wrist can help deliver the club square each time.
• Engage Larger Muscles: Incorporate your larger muscles into your golf swing; shoulder and hip rotation can keep your swing more consistent.
• Keep a Flat Lead Wrist: Keep a flat lead wrist at impact and bring the HackMotion with you to the range when you practice to record progress and work on drills.

12 Actionable Tips to Achieve Greater Consistency in Golf

1. Get a Lesson to Get You Started (From Humans or Technology)

Hiring the services of an instructor for at least two or three lessons is well worth your month. A professional will examine your grip setup, swing path, clubface position at impact, rotation, and angle of attack.

After analyzing your setup, they will help you correct any weaknesses in your composition to eradicate the issue from your swing.

As an alternative, you can use HackMotion swing diagnostics (Guided Practice Feature). Take a few swings and let HackMotion pinpoint the exact issues that keep you from being a consistent player.

The great thing about the diagnostics is that you can return to it after you have spent some time correcting the issues in your game.

2. Consistent Grip on the Club Each Time

Many amateurs do not utilize a consistent grip and change the strength of it (weak/strong/neutral), leading to an erratic swing plane, club path, and shot shape.

Whether you use the Vardon, interlock, or ten-finger grip, I suggest starting with a neutral grip.

Be aware of the weaker grip, which promotes an open clubface at impact.

This can exacerbate a slice but help mitigate hooks. A strong grip can prompt players to swing over the top and attack along a steep angle with a closed clubface.

3. Master Clubface Alignment

When setting up for your shot, ensure that your clubface points at your desired target.

Use golf alignment sticks on the ground for your feet, target, and clubface line. Ensure your clubface is aimed correctly as part of your pre-shot routine.

4. Correct Ball Position

As a rule of thumb, you position the ball forward in your stance for shots with longer shafted clubs and towards the middle or slightly in the back for wedges.

Drivers and fairway woods are longer and need more time to square up for a powerful strike. As a result, you place the ball forward for these shots. The forward position lets your driver reach the swing’s low point before striking the ball on the tee.

Mid and long irons are best positioned in the middle of your stance.

5. Improved Posture and Wrist Position

Correct posture allows your body to rotate as needed, keeping your club on the path and boosting power on the downswing.

Most amateur players tend to get too bent in their knee position, making it hard to attack the ball from the right angle. In golf, you want an athletic position, but if you are too bent over, it will change the swing plane.

In addition, make sure your wrists are set up correctly from the start. Letting the handle drop too low creates unnecessary wrist extension at setup.

6. Fine Tune Rhythm and Tempo

Rhythm and tempo help you develop a consistent swing.

Using a counting drill in your golf swing can help you to hit consistent golf shots. The number of counts you get to does not matter; it’s mostly the fact that you are being aware of timing and tempo.

Try something like swinging back while counting to three and then letting four be your downswing. Try it with a wedge, switch to a 7-iron, and finally a driver.

A swing that lacks rhythm and tempo results in an erratic transition from the top of the swing down, which can lead to a loss of power. While practicing with your HackMotion, check your swing tempo to see if you can keep it consistent.

7. Square the Clubface at Impact

It is easier said than done to square the clubface up at impact. However, to be a consistent golfer, there is no way around it.

The easiest way to square the clubface at impact is to get your lead wrist slightly flexed. Using the HackMotion, you can work on a drill called the Release drill.

Most amateur golfers struggle with a lead wrist that is too extended throughout the entire golf swing. If too much extension is at the top of the backswing, it’s nearly impossible to square the clubface at impact.

If you can get your swing (and your wrist angles) perfect from this parallel to parallel position, the rest of the swing is much easier.

Learn about lead wrist extension and flexion in our detailed guide here.

8. Work On Your Chipping and Pitching

Golf Magazine explains that 15 handicap golfers nail 26% of their greens in regulation, equivalent to 5 holes in an 18-hole round.

As a result, you need to chip to get up and down on 13 holes during the round. If your chipping game is lackluster, you leave yourself with a long-range par putt, which could effortlessly turn into a double bogey.

Aside from dedicating 30 to 60 minutes weekly to chip shots, bump and runs, bunker shots, and flops, you should also learn the different wrist positions needed to manufacture different types of greenside shots. When you want more height and increased spin, you may need a little wrist extension for impact.

This video from Rob Cheney will take you through how to start controlling the ball in your chips and pitches and become more consistent.

9. Learn How to Read Greens

When putting downhill, use a softer stroke to control the ball’s speed and avoid rolling it too far past the cup. For uphill putts, add more power to ensure it reaches the hole.

Pay close attention to the green’s slope and undulations. If it breaks sharply to the right, adjust your aim further left. As you approach the green, observe the overall slope and contours, not just the area immediately around the hole, to better anticipate how the ball will move.

Green reading is a big part of becoming a consistent putter, and it takes practice to get it down.

10. Develop a Consistent Putting Stroke

Once your green reading skills are on point, it is time to develop a consistent putting stroke.

Practice stabilizing the putter head during the stroke to square it at impact and start the ball on the intended line. Use HackMotion’s putting feature to work on putting stroke consistency.

We have found that the best putters in the game don’t have perfect strokes; they can just repeat the same action every single time. The Putting Stability feature in HackMotion will test your putting stroke and see how consistent it is.

11. Employ a Pre Shot Routine

A consistent pre-shot routine helps you clear your head and focus on your shot. It’s also great for visualization of your shot and swing.

When you have a pre-shot routine in place, you are essentially telling your body (and your brain) that you will execute a golf shot. Muscle memory in golf is a real thing, and the pre-shot routine can help.

When practicing at the driving range, use your pre-shot routine so that it becomes second nature to you.

12. Use the Correct Shaft for Your Swing Speed

Your golf shafts can affect the speed, spin, launch, and shot shape. If you utilize a golf shaft that is too stiff for your swing speed, you struggle to generate velocity on the downswing, leading to a weak strike and a loss of distance.

Conversely, when your shaft is too flexible for your swing speed, you may generate excess spring, speed, and spin, causing your ball to balloon.

Here are general guidelines based on swing speed for what shaft to use.

Drills to Get More Consistent in Golf

Here are a few of the most effective drills to learn how to play more consistent golf.

Thumbs Down Short Game Drill

Too often, golfers are concerned with the position of the clubhead instead of the position of their body. If you struggle with a consistent short game, try this thumbs down drill from Rob Cheney.

It helps keep your wrists from flipping or rotating incorrectly.

Wrench Drill

If you are one of those players struggling with your golf game due to excessive movement, then the wrench drill could be the place to start.

This drill involves putting the majority of your weight on your lead foot and then rotating the lower body as you would turn a wrench. This helps achieve a cleaner and more consistent strike.

Motorcycle Drill

The Motorcycle drill is probably the most well-known wrist drill in the game.

For golfers who are losing power or are leaving themselves with an open clubface at impact, the motorcycle drill is a perfect solution.

Static Top Drill

If your clubface is not in the correct position at the top of your swing, it’s rare that you will get it in the right position at impact.

The static top drill is simple and a great place to start if you struggle with this top position.

FAQs

Why am I suddenly terrible at golf?

The longer you play the game, the more you develop bad habits, which creep into every element of your swing mechanics. Golf is both a physical and mental game. If you have either physical or mental fatigue, you may need to take some time away from the game to rest.

Start tracking your golf game to pinpoint the areas causing the higher scores.

Why is my golf game so inconsistent?

The golf club is in an incorrect position at impact, making your golf game more inconsistent. Work on creating an impact position with a slight flex in the lead wrist to ensure a square and stable clubface.

Why is it hard to be consistent in golf?

It is hard to be consistent in golf because it requires optimal aim, an appropriate grip setup, the correct ball position, and a rhythmic swing.

How do I stop being inconsistent in golf?

You stop being inconsistent at golf by working with an instructor, developing a consistent grip setup, and placing the ball optimally in your stance.

In addition, you must work on producing a rhythmic swing where the club is on the proper plane. Golf drills where you can work on your swing in real time are beneficial.

How often should I golf to improve?

Ideally, you should play golf once a week and practice for 1 to 2 hours to improve.

This leaves you with sufficient time to work on your long, mid, and short game on the range and put it into action once a week.

After your round, review your performance and create actionable steps to improve those weaknesses.

Why am I getting worse at golf the more I play?

You are getting worse at golf the more you play because you are not fixing the fundamental issues in your setup and swing.

You are applying the same formula and hoping for it to improve. Instead, focus on the impact position and see what is causing the issues.

How do I regain confidence in golf?

Start using a pre-shot routine to help you focus on one shot at a time and stop beating yourself up over previous bad rounds. Set yourself small goals, like trying to hit two fairways in a nine, and forget about the score.

This mindset helps you focus on the positives and eradicate negativity to build towards regaining confidence.

Final Thoughts

The solutions to becoming more consistent in golf predominantly center around your grip setup, ball position, wrist position, posture, alignment, and rhythm. In addition, you must work on your chipping, learn to read greens, and employ a pre-shot routine for a clear mind on every swing.

Use the resources of a professional or a swing analyzer and interactive tool like HackMotion to get you on the right path.

The post How to Be More Consistent in Golf: 12 Actionable Tips & Drills to Unlock Consistency appeared first on HackMotion.

For most golfers, the answer is no.

However, analyzing your own golf swing is possible with the use of technology and a general understanding of the game of golf.

I’ll show you some of the best techniques for analyzing your own golf swing and learning to become a better player.

How to Analyze Your Own Golf Swing (Key Takeaways)

Golf swing analysis requires the right equipment, technology, and a general understanding of how to hit the ball straight.

• Start with setup, alignment, grip, stance, and posture, and ensure that none of these things are setting you up for a problem with your golf shot.
• The ability to use slow motion to analyze a golf swing is incredibly helpful; taking advantage of swing analysis apps and programs also helps you compare your swing side by side to that of a professional.
• Pay attention to one or two things at a time. For example – what is your head movement, is your weight transferring, is your wrist in the right position?
• Break the swing down into sections like grip, takeaway, backswing, downswing, and impact.
• Wearing the HackMotion is like having a golf coach with you while you practice, you can stay on track, practice drills and get all the feedback you need to start striking the ball well.

How to Record Your Own Golf Swing

Recording your own golf swing is a way to look at the issues you may have and determine where your time is best spent fixing them.

As golfers, we can’t see what we are doing when we hit golf shots, so this visual of a golf swing video is incredibly helpful.

Here are the key things to keep in mind for recording:

• Set up your camera at a consistent height.
• Align your camera with where the grip meets the club shaft.
• Use the same camera placement every time.
• Utilize drawing tools in golf training apps.
• Record under similar conditions for each session.

Use these tips and others in this video from Michael Breed to make sure you set your camera up correctly to record your swing.

What Data is Worth Collecting?

Before you can start analyzing your own golf swing, you have to collect some data, and it should be the right kind of data.

Here are some things to consider.

• Golf stat tracking apps – start using strokes gained or stat tracking apps to find the weaknesses in your game.
• Get videos down the line and face on so you have different angles to compare.
• Use HackMotion to record wrist angles and position (which directly impact the position of the clubface).

How to Analyze Your Own Golf Swing?

Now that you have access to the data you have collected via video, on course stats and the HackMotion, it’s time to break down exactly what to look for.

There are a lot of individual and unique issues that you may run across when analyzing a golf swing.

I’ll give you the most glaring ones to look for so you can see where your best starting point is.

Posture

When posture is incorrect, you lose distance and the ability to strike the ball with a square clubface.

Here are the most important things to look for when analyzing your golf posture.

• Check the spine angle to make sure you are not bending too far forward.
• Are the shoulders slouched, or are they pushed back and stable?
• Knees can be bent, but it is a slight knee bend, looking more like you are about to sit in a higher stool.
• Arms should be allowed to hang down naturally with little obstruction from the body; don’t let the arms reach too far away.
• The chin should be up with the head in line with the spine.

Stance

The stance in golf is something you can analyze with video, but you also have to use alignment sticks and your own feel to make sure it’s perfect.

One of the biggest issues that golfers make with the stance is the ball’s position.

• Feet should be shoulder-width apart for most shots.
• Ball is positioned in the middle of your stance for most shots.
• Weight distribution 60/40 on the trail side for longer clubs like drivers and 3-woods.
• Weight distribution 60/40 on the lead side for shorter irons and wedges.
• Lower trail shoulder for drivers to achieve an upward angle of attack.
• More square shoulders and a downward angle of attack with irons to hit the ball than the ground.

Grip

I’ve analyzed grips by looking at pictures and videos, but you can also check your grip and the consistency of the position by using the HackMotion.

• Use a neutral grip with hands centered on the club.
• Place the lead hand mostly in the fingers, showing only two knuckles.
• Interlock or overlap the trail hand with the lead hand without overextending.
• Maintain minimal grip pressure to control the club without restricting motion.

Also, consider the strength of your golf grip. A grip that is too strong for some may be just strong enough for another.

This video from Rob Cheney talks about the importance of a neutral grip but also why a little strength in the grip may be best for some golfers.

Takeaway

The first part of the golf swing, called the takeaway, can make or break the rest of your golf swing. When taking the club back, check for these things:

• Keep the club lower to the ground.
• Ensure that you get enough extension and width in the backswing.
• Don’t let the wrists get too active; use your shoulders, hips, and legs to make a solid turn.
• Start the takeaway a little slower.

Incorporate some of your golf takeaway practice into your pre shot routine. There are plenty of great golf swing takeaway drills you can use to help you get the club started correctly.

Top of Backswing

At the top of the backswing, you will want to analyze the total distance you have taken the club back (i.e., is it past parallel) as well as the wrist angles.

Your video will show you how far back you took the club; nothing past parallel is really necessary.

Your lead wrist should be flat at the top. Check your HackMotion data to ensure that you did not increase the amount of extension in the lead wrist from the setup to the top of the backswing.

Downswing

With the downswing, use a tool like an alignment stick to check the plane of your swing. In addition, you want to ensure that your lower body is turning and rotating and that you are not just swinging the arms.

The HackMotion data can tell you whether or not you are decreasing the amount of extension in your lead wrist on the way down.

By the time you get to impact, there needs to be no extension and maybe even a little flexion in the wrist to get the most out of your golf shot.

On the downswing, look for proper weight transfer moving from the trail side to the lead side in your swing. One of the most glaring issues players can see for the downswing is hanging back and not rotating the lower body through the ball.

Impact

The best possible way to analyze impact position is to look at the impact position of a professional golfer.

There are some key takeaways here that will change slightly from a driver to an iron, but you can learn a lot.

• Keep the lead wrist flexed, not cupped at impact.
• Maintain head position behind the ball for more power.
• Transfer most weight to the lead side.
• Keep the left arm extended and powerful.
• Maintain consistent spine angle.
• Ensure balance and stability for maximum power.

Follow Through

A proper follow through is a result of a great golf swing. It’s hard to have a poor swing and finish it with a great follow through.

The biggest mistake you will come across when analyzing your golf swing follow-through is slowing down or even stopping at the golf ball.

You want to ensure that your club is continually moving through the impact position, your body continues to rotate, and you finish with a balanced and fully completed follow through.

If you notice issues with hanging back or losing balance, check your HackMotion data. The results could be from having to do too much work at impact to square of the face of your golf shot.

Additional Tips and Advice

Although I’ve addressed every area of the golf swing and given you some of the most critical issues to look out for, there are lots of smaller issues that you can run into.

Here are some tips for combatting those and taking your golf swing analysis to the next level.

• If you have access to a launch monitor or a golf simulator, use these to record more data and get additional insight into how you are striking the ball and how it could improve.
• Start at the setup and work your way from there if you are trying to do a complete analysis. So many issues happen with setup, grip, and posture, and you may waste time if you don’t zero in on these from the start.
• When you see an issue in the golf swing, don’t immediately try to work on it; work backward first to see what could be causing it. The HackMotion makes this easier by analyzing data at setup, at the top of the backswing, and at impact. It’s like having your coach with you on the driving range.
• Track your golf stats when you play, and keep some video recordings of your swing. Having this information to tap into to develop practice routines and set further goals will make your analysis that much more effective.

Final Thoughts

At this point, you should feel like you have the basics of what it takes to analyze your own golf swing and become a better golfer without the help of a professional.

I can tell you that the combination of video and the data from HackMotion is enough to keep you busy for quite some time.

Don’t forget to create a driving range practice plan using our personalized quiz. You’ll be able to tweak this for your goals and make progress much faster.

The HackMotion is like having a golf teaching professional with you at all times, making it considerably easier to stay on track regardless of your handicap level.

The post How to Analyze Your Golf Swing: A Complete Guide to Self Swing Analysis appeared first on HackMotion.

When you start missing the pin by 5 yards instead of 15 yards, your shot dispersion improves, and your handicap drops along with it.

We will take you on a deep dive into shot dispersion so you can use it to understand your game and how to start approaching your strategy on the course.

Key Takeaways

Here are a few key takeaways to understand about shot dispersion. If you don’t have time to read our entire guide, take this information with you to make some progress right away.

• Your typical shot dispersion is likely much wider than you think; test yourself on the range to see how far away from your target you are.
• Good golfers who analyze their shot dispersion pattern may sometimes aim shots completely off the green to give themselves the best shot of ending up on the green.
• To lower your golf shot dispersion ranges, you must control the clubface angle at impact.
• When determining golf shot dispersion and its impact on your game, think about the width of the shot as well as the depth.

If you prefer to learn by watching a video; this detailed video from Rob Cheney will give you insights into how to work on your shot dispersion and why this is such an important factor when working towards becoming a better player.

What is Shot Dispersion?

Shot dispersion is the average of your misses. If you have a pin 100 yards in front of you, you will aim right for it, but not all of your shots will hit the target. You will hit shots left, right, long, and short of the target.

That is your golf shot dispersion.

Golfers with lower dispersion ranges are more consistent and typically have lower handicaps.

When you better understand your shot dispersion, you can make smart decisions on the course.

Shot Dispersion Chart by Handicap

When looking at golf shot dispersion, you have to consider the width and depth of the shot dispersion.

Lower handicap golfers (single digits) have a shot dispersion of 30 yards or less with a 7 iron when it comes to width. This means if you aim at a pin, the dispersion would be 15 yards left or right of the pin.

Professionals would have a dispersion of less than 15 yards total (so 7.5 yards left or right of the target).

As far as depth is concerned, the dispersion is a little lower. Most golfers miss the shots short of the target more than long.

Average players have dispersion ranges of about 30 yards long when it comes to depth. If you hit a 115-yard shot, the thought would be the ball can travel anywhere from 100 to 130 yards. However, we see most misses on this shot in the 85 to 115 yard range.

Why is Shot Dispersion so Important to Understand

Understanding your shot dispersion significantly affects scoring, accuracy, and club selection. You can get some details on your shot dispersion using a launch monitor.

Without a launch monitor, it’s possible to use a well-measured target and learn your shot dispersion by working on the range.

When working with a launch monitor, follow these steps to gain shot dispersion information:

• Position the Launch Monitor: Place the launch monitor in the recommended position relative to the hitting area. This is typically a few feet behind and to the side of the ball.
• Calibrate the Device: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to calibrate the launch monitor for accuracy.
• Consistent Stance: Ensure you are using a consistent stance and setup for each shot to help eliminate variables.
• Hit Multiple Shots: Hit a series of shots with the same club. For meaningful data, aim for at least 20-30 shots. You can repeat this for multiple clubs but start with one at a time. In other words, hit all shots with your 7-iron or 8-iron.
• Review Shot Data: Look at the data collected by the launch monitor for each shot. Pay attention to carry distance, ball speed, launch angle, and side spin.
• Identify Dispersion Pattern: The launch monitor software will typically provide a visual representation of your shots, showing the dispersion pattern.
• Width and Depth Analysis: Analyze the width (lateral dispersion) and depth (longitudinal dispersion) of your shots.
• Identify Tendencies: Note any common tendencies, such as a bias to the left or right, or consistently short or long shots.

Improving Accuracy

Paying attention to your shot dispersion can help you understand where your game really needs help.

You may look at the fact that you hit 8/18 greens in regulation and be kind of disappointed. However, if you missed them by a yard or two, your game could be very close to being a lot better.

If you are missing greens by 30 or 40 yards, the situation is different, and your golf swing and clubface control likely need work.

Club Selection

Knowing your shot dispersion will also help you choose the right club off the tee and when approaching the greens.

Let’s say the pin is in the front of the green, and it’s 105 yards away. You hit your pitching wedge 105 yards but have a dispersion (depth) of 10 yards.

Does it make sense to hit the pitching wedge into the green?

Probably not. The 9 iron is your 115-yard club with a dispersion of 10 yards; this leaves you with a perfect shot a little long and a slightly less-than-perfect shot that could go in the hole.

This type of thinking on the golf course is something that most amateurs need to be doing.

Lowering Scores

Finally, if you can recognize that you have an issue with shot dispersion and then make adjustments to club selections and decisions on the course, you will lower your scores.

When your misses are closer to the hole, you score better. Think about hitting shots that miss but are still on the green instead of being in the water or a bunker.

Factors Influencing Shot Dispersion

Now that you understand the importance of shot dispersion, it’s time to examine the factors that influence it. These include skill level, golf club selection, course conditions, and mental game.

Handicap

The lower your handicap, the lower your dispersion in golf. Better players are likely to be in less trouble when they miss their shots. New players have higher shot dispersion and very unpredictable shots.

An experienced player typically knows they will miss the shot 5 or 10 yards left when they miss. A higher handicapper isn’t always sure if the ball is going left or right.

Getting to the point of knowing if the ball is going left or right is a big turning point for golfers.

Golf Club in Your Hand

A 15 yard miss with a driver may leave you on the edge of the fairway. A 15 yard miss with a wedge puts you in a bunker.

Dispersion changes with the club you have in your hand. The longer the club, the higher the dispersion. Yes, this includes the putter. When you miss a putt, it should be by inches; when you miss with the driver, expect 10+ or even 20+ yards.

Golf Course Conditions

Golf course conditions and difficulty can impact dispersion. If the course is windy or playing hard from being dry, the ball may miss further than it does when the course is wet and receptive to shots.

For instance, if a 20 handicapped amateur player went to play a US Open course, their dispersion would be a lot higher than usual. Why? The course conditions are much harder, and you must have spin and control to hit great shots that stay in place.

The Mental Game

The mental game may not seem like it will change your dispersion, but it will.

If you are approaching a green with water or sand all around it, your confidence and mindset will likely come into play when measuring shot variation.

You often see this when a golfer stands on a driving range and tests out a new driver. They have no pressure on them, they swing with ease, and they hit it incredibly straight.

When that club goes out on the course for the first time, the results are entirely different. Why? There is trouble, scoring counts, and many golfers try to control the golf ball through impact.

How to Decrease Golf Shot Dispersion

Golf shot dispersion should be decreased or become tighter if you want to play better golf. It’s as simple as this: would you rather be 5 yards or 10 yards from the pin?

Here are some of the best ways to decrease golf shot dispersion and give yourself makeable birdie and par putts.

Play with the Right Clubs

You don’t need the latest golf club releases to the market in order to have low dispersion. However, you do need to have golf clubs that fit the needs of your game.

If you play with a shaft that is too stiff or a clubhead that is unforgiving, your dispersion will not be as tight.

Higher handicappers should consider game-improvement clubs that make it easier to launch the ball, get distance, and keep the golf ball straight.

Practice Consistency in Setup

Another mistake golfers make that leads to issues with shot dispersion is the inconsistency in setup.

When your feet, hands, head, shoulders, and hips are not in the same position each time, you can’t expect the same shot.

When working on the driving range, you should make sure to practice consistency in your setup. A little tweak of your shoulder angle or hip angle may be enough to lose your shot well left or right of the target.

On the course incorporate a pre shot routine into each shot. This pre shot routine will improve your ability to consistently set up to hit the golf ball.

Learn to Control the Clubface

Perhaps the most important and effective way to decrease golf shot dispersion is to work on your wrist angles in your golf swing. The wrists control the angle of the clubface.

When wrists are in the proper position at setup, the top of the backswing, and then again at impact, your golf shot has a higher percentage of heading directly toward the target.

HackMotion is like having a coach with you at the range. You can track your wrist angles in real-time throughout your swing and make adjustments.

In this video, Rob Cheney gives you a great drill to help control your shot dispersion and hit golf shots that end up near your target.

He talks about how excessive wrist action after impact is a major concern for players and hitting practice shots where you stop the club short on the follow through can help to control this.

Golf Shot Dispersion on Course Example

When you look at a hole like this one with bunkers surrounding the front and the left side, it’s important to consider your dispersion.

Let’s look at the average dispersion of a golfer with a 7 iron approaching this green.

An average golfer will have a dispersion area of about 30 yards.

For that golfer to aim directly at the pin, the shot that misses left will be well off the green. If you can move that golf ball over just a little and aim for the pin, almost all misses could be on the green.

Golfers who aim at the pin don’t necessarily make more birdies. In fact, they often make higher numbers than the golfers who go for the center of the green.

Even professionals do not always aim at the pin.

The other thing to consider is depth.

Coming up short here isn’t an option. Instead, it’s best to go one club up and fly it a little over the center of the green, just enough to keep the ball in the grass.

Learning your carry distances, understanding your dispersion data and practicing with the HackMotion to deliver a square clubface angle is the best strategy.

Final Thoughts

Shot dispersion in golf is a factor that all players should be paying attention to. Your approach to the golf course should change considerably when you understand the range of where your golf shots can end up.

If you want to decrease your dispersion, use HackMotion to understand how to control the clubface.

Delivering a square clubface to the golf ball takes a bit of time and practice, but it’s the key to a lower handicap.

The post Understanding Shot Dispersion in Golf (A Player’s Guide to Accuracy) appeared first on HackMotion.

8-Week Golf Tournament Practice Plan & Training Program

Get ready for your next tournament with our FREE 8-week golf practice plan and training program.

Like Having a Coach on Your Wrist, Anytime You Need

Start the 2025 season strong with HackMotion—your personal coach on your wrist, helping you hit better shots and achieve faster results.

Core

Core HackMotion value.

For players who want to improve clubface control and full swing consistency by optimising wrist angles

Explore

Plus

A total powerhouse.

Work on your whole game by optimizing both the full swing and putting. Reach your peak performance.

Explore

Pro

The ultimate HackMotion.

All the wrist data, tour data and analytics for both hands in the ultimate feature package.

Explore

Want to Learn Correct Wrist Mechanics?

Sign up and gain free access to the HackMotion Wrist Mechanics Guide. Enjoy exclusive access to unpublished coaching videos and actionable tips to improve your golf game.

Subscribe

No Spam, No Unwanted Messages. Ever.

The post 8-Week Golf Tournament Practice Plan & Training Program appeared first on HackMotion.

However, golf course management also comes into play when we talk about putting.

If your putting game could use a little work, consider this putting strategy, which could change your mindset and help you make a few more putts in your next round.

Key Takeaways

If you don’t have time to read through this entire post on course management and putting strategy, here are the most important concepts to take away:

• Start to categorize your putts into ranges of one-putt, two-putt, and three-putt distances.
• Change your strategy for each range of distance to eliminate the chance of three putts and give yourself more opportunities for one putts.
• Wear your HackMotion when practicing the putts in the one- and two-putt range, focusing on creating consistent wrist movement from one stroke to the next.
• Practice putting drills, especially lag putting drills, to ensure you have proper distance control when out on the golf course.

Wrist Action: The Secret Ingredient for Exceptional Putting Stroke!

See how mastering wrist movements can transform your putting game.

Show me the guide

Course Management Putting Strategy

This strategy is used by professionals in various forms. Regardless of your weakness, by breaking your game down like this, you’ll have an easier time going low on the course.

Identify Your Scoring Circles

The first part of this process forces you to look into your game with a bit more depth.

You’ll want to figure out your three putt, two, and one putt zone. For amateur golfers, start tracking some rounds where you determine not just how many putts but how many putts you make from different distances.

If you find that you normally have three putts from the 30ft foot area, that would be the outer circle or three putt zone for you.

Here is a basic look at these three different zones, but you can tweak them to match the right distances for your game.

Outer Circle (Three-Putt Zone)

• For pros: starts at about 40 ft.
• For amateurs: starts closer to 25 ft.
• Goal: Avoid three-putting by focusing on lag putting.

Middle Circle (Two-Putt Zone)

• For pros: 10-50 ft.
• For amateurs: 7-30 ft.
• Goal: Aim to leave the ball close to the hole, reducing the likelihood of a three-putt.

Inner Circle (One-Putt Zone)

• For pros: up to 9 ft.
• For amateurs: up to 6 ft.
• Goal: Aim to make these putts as consistently as possible.

Choose the Right Approach

Once you have your zones established, the next part of this process is to determine which approach you will take.

The strategy for the outer circle, middle circle, and inner circle is a bit different.

From the Outer Circle

Sometimes, when your ball is in the outer circle, it’s not even on the green.

However, you should still try to use your putter from anywhere in this outer circle as often as you can. You’ll find that the putter eliminates some of the risks associated with wedges.

Some golfers also use their hybrid to help them take a putting-like stroke without having to think about a chunk or thinned shot.

From the outer circle, do not think about making the putt.

Instead, you want to lag putt and get the ball within a three-foot range of the hole. Make sure on these long putts that you are reading the entire line, not just the line the ball is going to start on.

From the Middle Circle

The middle circle is your two putt zone. From here, you don’t want to get overly aggressive; the putt you leave yourself should be more of a tap-in, not necessarily a long one that has you nervous.

Be smart about the break on these putts. Some golfers underread the breaks, which makes them more prone to a putt that slides further and further from the hole.

Focus on a softer putt that ends up on the high side of the hole and has a chance to fall in.

From the Inner Circle

The inner circle is your go-to zone. Aim these putts so that you can make them.

Sometimes, that means being a little firmer and choosing a line that is inside the club. Every inch closer to the hole you are, the chance of you making it is that much higher.

Work on these putts often to make sure you have a consistent and dependable stroke from this range.

Transform Putting: Master Your Wrist Mechanics!

Learn how good wrist control can make your putting better.

Show me the guide

Drills to Help Implement This Strategy

Now that you have your zones figured out and you have a general strategy for each zone, it’s time to look at some of the options you have to help implement this strategy.

These drills will help you not only make less mistakes but sink more putts.

Basic Lag Putting Drill

To practice lag putting, find a golf practice green with few people on or around it. Set up tees at 40ft, 50ft, and 60ft. Use a few tees to create a three-foot circle around the hole.

See how many out of 10 you can get to end up in the circle around the hole.

The goal here is to focus on distance control. You are not worried about making the putt. The percentage of making these putts is so small that it’s not worth practicing.

However, getting yourself in that 3 foot circle will ensure less three putts from this range.

High and Soft Drill

Most amateur golfers under-read greens, causing them to miss their putts on the low side almost every time. If you miss on the low side, you never give the shot a chance to go in the hole.

For this drill, find a putt with a significant left or right break. It only needs to be about 15 feet long. Place a marker on the high side of the hole. Aim at this marker and aim to either have the ball go in or miss on the high side.

You’ll quickly see how often you are never even giving the ball a chance to go in.

Circle Drill or Clock Drill

This classic golf drill has you set up about 4 to 6 golf balls in a circle around a hole. You’ll want these to be about 4 to 6 ft. Try to go all the way around the circle without missing.

Golfers like Phil Mickelson use this drill because it helps build confidence and consistency. In addition, it makes you more confident when making putts from a variety of angles.

General Tips to Improve Course Management and Putting

There are a few reasons your short game course management strategy may be lacking.

Here are a few tips to help you get back on track:

• Don’t overcomplicate the strategy, use the putter whenever you can, keep your ball low when you have the chance, and don’t use the lob wedge unless it makes sense.
• Practice reading greens, the most common mistake for amateurs is under reading breaks, a practice that higher and softer putt that gradually falls into the hole.
• You must practice lag putting; it’s a skill that takes time to learn, but proper distance control makes all the difference in your putting strategy.
• For the short putts, use the HackMotion to keep your lead wrist position as consistent as possible from one putt to the next; if your stroke is inconsistent, the clubface changes position all too often.
• Finally, stick to a putting pre shot routine that you can use every time. It’s the best way to train your brain to continually make putts.

Conclusion

If you apply this course management putting strategy to your game, you should have an easier time sorting out where your weaknesses are in your putting game.

In addition, you should be able to finally make some more putts.

Golfers like Payne Stweart used this strategy, and it helped him win major championships. Most amateurs don’t know where to begin with creating a putting routine and strategy. Use this as your starting point and see what you can develop.

The post Course Management and the Putting Strategy Your Game May Be Missing appeared first on HackMotion.