So many players rush their swing in the backswing. This throws off your rhythm and timing, which results in inconsistency, and poor scores.

Your tempo should be a consistent 2:1 speed ratio: that is, count 2 beats on your backswing, and 1 beat on your downswing. Let your backswing load and coil during those 2 beats, then create acceleration on the downswing for that one, powerful beat.

Mastering your tempo will enhance your golf swing, help lower those scores, and make you one happy golfer!

1. where is the trouble on my drive?
2. which direction is the wind blowing?

A good rule of thumb is to tee up the ball on the side where the trouble is. Visually, it is a better angle to aim away from the trouble and into the fairway. For example, if there is water on the left side of the tee box, tee up your ball on the right side, and aim down the left of the fairway.

If the wind is blowing hard left to right, tee the ball up on the right side, and aim down the left to allow the wind to naturally bring the ball back into the fairway.

Using these basic course strategies will help you avoid the trouble around the golf course.

1. Standing behind the ball, choose your primary target. Look down the target line and choose a spot a few feet in front of the ball. This is the intermediate target. Keep your eye on that spot and approach the ball by setting your club face pointing to that intermediate target, which could be a discoloured blade of grass, or a leaf.
2. Once the club is set, align your body parallel to the target line.
3. Visualize your shot and take 2 practice swings.
4. Go ahead and make your shot and hold your finish.
5. If for any reason your pre-shot routine should get interrupted, or if you are distracted, step away and start again.

Performing an identical series of preparatory steps before every shot relaxes the muscles and clears the mind, which can increase your chances of a successful golf shot. Remember that all your pre-shot decisions are made standing behind the ball while looking out at the target. Take into consideration, the wind direction, assess the lie and the yardage, and club selection. Practice your pre-shot routine on the driving range before you take it to the golf course.

. To check your alignment, pick a target in the distance and set up to the ball as normal. Place a club along the line of your toes, step back and see where the club points.

. If the club points directly at the target, or to the right of the target, your stance is what we called CLOSED.

. If the club points way left of the target, your stance is what call OPEN.

. The club should point PARALLEL LEFT of the target (imagine the line along your feet and the line from the ball to the target are like 2 train tracks.) This is a SQUARE stance.

. Remember, your knees, hips and shoulders should be in line or parallel to your feet.

What is the correct posture for golf?

. Stand up straight, shoulders back

. Your arms should be relaxed and straight

. Hold the club at your waist

. Bend slightly from your hips, back straight, until the club touches the grass

. Flex your knees with a slight bend, putting weight on the balls of your feet

. Your stance should be shoulder width for irons, and wider for woods

First, in a standing position let your arms hang naturally by your sides. Starting with the left hand, and continuing with that same hand position with your arm by your side, take the handle of the golf club. The butt end of the club should rest just below the heel pad of your hand, extending the club diagonally across the fingers. Most people make the mistake of holding the club in the palm of the hand. In fact, the club should sit across the fingers of the left hand. Imagine as you are holding the club with your left hand, that you are facing a clock, with the shaft of the club at 12 o’clock. Place the thumb of the left hand on the grip of the club at one o’clock. You now have the correct left hand grip of your club. Now, position your right hand with the pad of your right thumb resting over the left thumb. Using the clock analogy again, place your right thumb at 11 o’clock. The club should rest diagonally across the fingers of the right hand as well, not in the palm. Your right pinky finger can overlap or interlock with the left index finger, depending on the style of grip you prefer.

The three styles of grips are the Vardon or overlap grip, which is the most popular grip, the interlocking grip, and the 10 finger or baseball grip. For the overlap grip, the pinky finger of the right hand rests in the space between the index finger and the middle finger of the left hand. For the interlocking grip, the pinky finger of the right hand hooks under the index finger of the left hand, resting between the index and middle fingers. For the 10 finger or baseball grip, simply place the left hand at the top of the grip, with the right hand below it. This is a grip used mostly by beginner and junior golfers.

The grip pressure is also an important factor. On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the strongest, use a grip pressure of about a three. The club should be gripped in your hands with a gentle pressure, allowing you to hinge the wrists on your backswing.

Use these correct grip procedures, and rescue your game.