Try as you might, golfers, you just can't buy a better game in the pro shop (Brandon Tucker/WorldGolf.com)

Improve your golf swing, not your clubs

By Les Miller,
Contributor

Many golfers think the magic answer to a better golf game is a new set of clubs. Let me tell you right now, golf courses are full of bad golfers playing with the latest and greatest golf equipment. If you want to cure that slice, hit more greens in regulation or improve your short game, it all starts by improving your golf swing, not by trying to buy a better game.

I'm sure you've all played golf with a friend who showed up to the first tee Saturday morning with a shiny new driver that was supposed to fix his terrible slice - only to watch him pump three balls out-of-bounds right off the tee. For the next few hours, you have to listen to him explain how well he hit it on the range. The good news is you can still count on him buying breakfast just like he always does.

The point I'm trying to make is that equipment will help you improve somewhat, but to fix what's wrong in your swing you need to practice, take lessons, and practice some more.

My irons are three years old, my driver two years old and my wedges are at least four years old. I play every weekend and usually shoot under 75. If I practiced a little during the week, I could consistently shoot par or below.

Why? because when my swing gets out of synch, I go to my instructor and take a lesson and work on fundamentals.

I don't go out and buy new equipment (even though I get equipment for free most of the time). Don't get me wrong; if I see something new in equipment I will demo it, but most of the time I realize it's not the equipment that makes the difference - it's the player using it.

The best advice I can give any golfer is to improve your golf swing before you go out and buy new equipment. Once you have grooved a better swing, then go to a reliable golf shop to get properly fitted out with that new equipment.

If you do, those weekend breakfasts will taste much better when your golf buddies are buying.

October 21, 2009

Les Miller was a longtime Golf Writers of America member who covered golf instruction for several newspapers and golf publications. His many years of experience as a golf professional, director of product development and tour relations for several major golf companies gave him a unique background and ability to help golfers increase their enjoyment of the game.