I read their books so you didn’t have to. Here are the top ten tips from the golfing greats to help your game. Who are these golfing heavy weights? I chose them in terms of what they have to offer the golfer on the basis of their golfing achievements and/or knowledge. Many were major winners and potentially in the conversation for being the greatest of their generation. Some were lifetime devotees of the game of golf and regarded as the best teachers of all time. Golf is rich in champions and characters deserving of our attention. We have much to learn from those who have graced the fairways with their talent and dedication to the game they loved.

Top Golf Tip From Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book

This simple pearl of wisdom captures the essence of what is required in terms of mindset when playing a golf shot. Don’t think about stuff like swing thoughts. Just, take dead aim. Focus and trust your body to do the rest. Really focus though, no light weight application but the real deal folks. Concentrate like there’s no tomorrow. Alignment and complete commitment to the shot.

Harvey Penick’s essential advice for top golfers playing the game – is to take dead aim!

“More than 20 years after publication, Harvey Penick’s Little Red Book is still the bestselling golf instruction book of all time.”

• (https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2016/06/16/instruction-new-book-takes-dead-aim-harvey-penicks-remarkable-legacy/)

One of the common difficulties for the average golfer, who is learning different aspects of the game, and we are all learning stuff, however good we may be, is knowing when to switch modes. Swing thoughts are OK when we are practicing, but when we are playing for real and competing – no way. Now, the process is as follows – it is a case of analysing the data around your prospective shot, lie, angle, distance from hole, wind factor, hazards etc. Deciding on the shot you are going to play. Pre-shot routine. Then – take dead aim and swing!

Golf’s Top Mental Coach Tip No 2

This statement can seem counterintuitive at first glance because we are all trying to play the perfect shot and make the perfect putt, aren’t we? Golf is a demanding game played over a large arena with a small ball and smallish hole as target. 14 different clubs and 4+ hours of concentration and effort – no mean feat. Dr Bob Rotella, who has been mental coach to the stars of the PGA, points out that we all make mistakes out on the golf course. We don’t always hit perfect golf shots, rather we hit plenty of poor shots and misguided hits. We miss our fair share of putts too. Mentally we need to factor this reality into the golfing equation. Perfectionism chokes the enjoyment factor out of the game and remember folks it is a game. You know, games are fun and all that. Bring some joy back into your golf by stepping up and trusting your swing.

“Rotella also emphasises how there should be no “mechanics” on the golf course. His mantra is “Train it on the range so that you can trust it on the course.” Rotella explains the importance of a pre-shot routine and how incorporating a great pre-shot routine on the course will allow the golf swing to flow naturally.”

• (https://stripeygreentv.com/golf-is-not-a-game-of-perfect-book-review/)

“Golf is about how well you accept, respond to, and score with your misses much more so than it is a game of your perfect shots.” – Bob Rotella

“Golf can be described as an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle.” – Unattributed

Tip 3 From A Golfing Great

Mister Player, the Black Knight, was and is a true golfing legend – a member of the Big 3 with Arnie and Jack. Player was a fitness fanatic and probably still is. His mantra was stay ready and alert throughout your round. If you sit down you are telling your body to go into sleep mode and you don’t want that. Competitive golf has a lot of times when the player is waiting to play his or her shot. Don’t get too relaxed by sitting down during delays because it is not so easy to wake yourself up to full alertness again quickly. Top golfers need to stay vigilant both mentally and physically. Poor swings and mistakes are made on the back of dulled senses. It only takes one crack to emerge coming down the back nine on Sunday for you to lose the tournament.

We sit on our behinds at home on the couch and behind desks in the office. We sit on our behinds in the car driving everywhere. We sit down too much; and it is literally killing us. Golf is a game of walking and swinging. Listen to this good advice from golfing great Gary Player – never sit down during a round of golf.

4. Golf Tip From Jack The GOAT

I know that when I am playing my best golf I have the sensation that I am swinging the club in tune with the weight transfer happening via my lower body, legs and feet. ‘Playing out of your feet’ is an expression I have heard and used myself. Keep your weight on the inside of your feet reminds the golfer to rotate the upper body in place and not sway off the ball. The good golfer stays over the ball and the weight transfer happens from the inside of the trail side leg/foot back to the inside of the lead side leg/foot in the downswing. Play within the confines of your body to improve your ball striking via compression. Jack Nicklaus was a masterful striker of the golf ball. Who has won the most majors? Jack the GOAT.

5. A Tip From The Littler Master

Self-abuse is rife out on the links. I hear more cursing and self-admonishments in ribald terms than any praise by miles. It doesn’t help anyone, least of all the golfer going to town on himself or herself.

The Von said, “Never berate yourself out on the golf course. It has disastrous results. Be your best friend out on the fairways. Staying positive can only do great things for your game.”

It is absurd that weekend warriors heap abuse on themselves in frustration during a round, when they never practice. Unrealistic expectations suck all the enjoyment out of playing the game of golf. Staying positive will help you bounce back from mishits much quicker to start playing some decent golf.

The Von was one of the first great Australian golfers who achieved success nationally and in Great Britain in 1930s, 1940s, 1950s & into the 1960s.

“You don’t know what pressure is until you play for five bucks with only two bucks in your pocket.” – Lee Trevino

6. Truly One Of Golf’s Greatest Gives His Tip

Bobby Jones

“I always think of it as staying down to the ball with your right side and arm. The most common cause of head lifting can be found in the right side. Whenever the right side and arm fails in holding the player down, the head is forced to move early,” – Bobby Jones writes in On Golf

Many modern golf coaches talk of the soft right arm and elbow both going back and coming through the ball. The right arm stays connected to the torso and the left arm plays a stronger role in the golf swing for the right handed player. The flying right elbow is associated with coming over the top and slicing the golf ball.

Bobby Jones won the original Grand Slam in golf, which included both Amateur Championships in Britain and the US and both Open Championships in the US and Britain in the same year. Bobby Jones was a co-founder of the Master’s Tournament at Augusta National.

“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots- but you have to play the ball where it lies.” – Bobby Jones

7. A Fundamental Tip From Mister Hogan

Ben Hogan

It may not be sexy but golf is a grind and the ability to repeat a reliable swing only comes from getting the fundamentals grooved in place. Ben Hogan hit a zillion golf balls on his way to becoming the greatest golfer of his generation. He knew that the golf swing was a process and it depended upon five fundamentals being firmly established. Grip, stance, backswing, downswing, and finish are all essential components of a golfer’s foundation. They are all connected and impact upon each other during the golf swing. Beginners and elite golfers must pay vigilant attention to getting the fundamentals right each and every time they set up and swing. There are no short cuts in golf, no hacks, and we live in an age of such things. Golf is an ancient game and it calls for the fundamental approach. We may have technologically superior clubs and balls in 2023 but The Modern Fundamentals of Golf still apply. Check out Hogan’s book of the same title to find out more.

“The most important shot in golf is the next one.” – Ben Hogan

8. Big Jack’s Best Driver Swing Tip

Jack Nicklaus

A very good golfer reminded me of this tip just the other day, as I had been struggling with the driver. It worked immediately and I realised that I had been getting out in front of the ball with my driver swing. If our top half gets too overactive through the swing it makes it tough to strike the golf ball solidly. A stable base staying behind the ball at impact results in straight long shots down the fairway.

9. A Tip For The Ages

This is probably the single greatest tip ever given by just about every experienced and generous golfer. This piece of advice works 9 times out 10 when a golfer is struggling with her or his swing. We can all get too quick at various times during our round. Slowing down the backswing leads to a smoother takeaway and better contact through the golf ball. Simplicity wins out time and time again in most things and golf is no exception.

The golf ball travels further and in the direction you want it to when you make solid contact with it. A smooth takeaway and downswing will result in better shots for 99% of golfers!

10. Short Game Tip Pays A Premium Return

Again, just about every top golfer and golf teacher tells us this. It is all about scoring in golf and that happens on and around the greens. Make sure you warmup before a round with a few putts on the practice green and a few chips where you can safely practice them.

I hope the top ten tips from the golfing greats can help your game going forward. Happy golfing folks.

Here Are 50 More Top Golfing Tips

1. Keep your grip light and relaxed.
2. Use a consistent pre-shot routine.
3. Keep your head still and focus on the target.
4. Proper alignment is key to good ball striking.
5. Use a wider stance for more stability and control.
6. Use a slow, smooth tempo in your swing.
7. Make sure to use your body and not just your arms in the swing.
8. Practice your short game regularly.
9. Work on your mental game and visualization techniques.
10. Keep the clubface square at impact.
11. Make sure to keep your weight balanced in your swing.
12. Use a wrist hinge to generate power in your swing.
13. Keep your head down and eyes on the ball during the swing.
14. Use a divot to gauge the proper amount of force in your swing.
15. Take lessons from a professional instructor to improve your game.
16. Practice on the range and in simulated course conditions.
17. Use different clubs and shots to improve your versatility.
18. Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with your swing.
19. Work on your course management skills.
20. Use a soft grip pressure to control the clubface.
21. Use your feet and legs to create a stable base in your swing.
22. Use proper posture and ball position to improve your accuracy.
23. Practice your putting regularly to improve your touch and distance control.
24. Use a straight back and straight through putting stroke.
25. Play to your strengths and focus on what you do well.
26. Use your body to create a consistent and smooth swing.
27. Work on your chipping and pitching to improve your scoring around the green.
28. Use a relaxed grip pressure to improve your touch and feel.
29. Practice different shot shapes to improve your versatility.
30. Use a high finish to generate more clubhead speed.
31. Use a one-piece takeaway to improve your tempo and timing.
32. Work on your bunker play to improve your chances of getting out of trouble.
33. Use a relaxed grip pressure to improve your touch and feel.
34. Use a slow, smooth tempo in your swing to improve your accuracy.
35. Work on your mental game and visualization techniques to improve your focus and concentration.
36. Use a consistent pre-shot routine to help you stay focused and prepared.
37. Use a one-piece takeaway to improve your tempo and timing.
38. Use proper alignment to improve your accuracy and ball striking.
39. Use a wider stance for more stability and control.
40. Use a relaxed grip pressure to improve your touch and feel.
41. Use your feet and legs to create a stable base in your swing.
42. Practice your short game regularly to improve your scoring around the green.
43. Use a high finish to generate more clubhead speed.
44. Use proper posture and ball position to improve your accuracy.
45. Use a straight back and straight through putting stroke.
46. Practice different shot shapes to improve your versatility.
47. Use a wrist hinge to generate power in your swing.
48. Work on your course management skills to improve your overall strategy.
49. Play to your strengths and focus on what you do well.
50. Keep your head still and focus on the target to improve your accuracy.

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