Are you happy with the state of your golf game? Are you scoring as well as you would like? If the answer is yes, you are definitely in the minority. The next time you play golf, try to implement the three simple tips below. The result will be a lower score!

Tip 1 and 2 – Putting – draw a line on your ball and then look at the hole when you putt.
Distance and direction are the two ingredients that make up a good putt. Have you ever used a line on the ball to help with aim? I am not talking about the logo or a small arrow. I am talking about a solid black line made by a sharpie marker. If you haven’t done this before, I would give it a try. Make sure to line the ball up to your intended target line and then set the putter face down behind the ball. Line the ball up with the line on your putter. The result will be better aim. 

Everyone that plays the game of golf will struggle with distance control for putting. Poor distance is the reason it takes 3 or 4 putts to get the ball in the hole. If you are struggling with your speed, simply look at the hole during your stroke. This might be weird at first, but it will allow you to be much more reactionary to what you see. The result will be better speed. Give it a try for an entire 18 holes. It will help!

Tip 3 – Hit the lowest shot possible when just off of the green.
This simple concept will save you valuable strokes around the green…period. I can’t tell you how many times when I ask amateurs which club they would use when just off of the green, the answer is always a high lofted option. The reality is, the higher the loft the harder it is to hit a successful shot. My favorite shot to teach when just off the green is the old ‘Texas wedge’. When the situation allows for it, putt from off the green whenever possible. If you have a little tallish grass to go through, try the putt with a fairway wood or hybrid. You will be surprised how easy it is to propel the ball onto the green and close to the hole. If you were able to get the ball onto the green and into the hole in 3 or less shots, your score would come down immediately.

Give the above 3 tips a try during your next round of golf. I bet the result is an improved score. And, I want to hear about how you did so please email feedback to my email address below!

John Stahlschmidt, is the Senior Head Instructor for the TOURAcademy TPC Scottsdale, Home of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  John is also Golf Tips Magazine “top 25 “instructor and was recently named to Golf Digest’s “best instructors in the state of AZ” list for 2013-2014. To comment on this column or for more information on instruction, email John at johnst@touracademy.com.