Golf is one of the oldest games around–it’s been popular since the early 1400s. Although the sport has advanced over time, it is basically still the same relaxed game. Mastering the game of golf requires diligence to improving your game, so utilize the tips below to boost your performance in your next trip to the course.

You must learn a correct grip as soon as you begin playing golf. New golfers often mistakenly grip the club tightly in hopes they will be able to hit the ball harder. Rather that doing that, apply a gentle yet firm grip. Hold your club similar to how you would a bird.

One sage piece of advice about golf is to be easy about it all. Things are bound to go wrong from time to time, so you need to learn to laugh at your mistakes. This will help you recover more quickly and relax so you can get on with your game.

When faced with a long putt, concentrate on how fast you will hit the ball. Rather than aiming right for the hole, aim for somewhere before the hole. By aiming for a target in between, you’ll put yourself in a good position to make a short putt to the hole. This is less risky than trying to make one putt into the hole from a far distance.

It’s extremely important to understand how to correctly score a golf game. Many people live and die by their score, so messing it up will give you a horrible reputation. Count each time you hit the ball, call it a stroke, and add the times it takes to get it in the hole! So, you want to basically get the fewest amount of strokes as you possibly can.

To generate a truly powerful swing, your entire body needs to be involved, especially your legs and torso. Whip your upper body around as you swing, using the power of your legs pressing downward, to further energize your stroke.

Don’t hold your club too tightly or too loosely. Holding the club too tight can cause your ball to veer to the right. Conversely, if you hold your club too loosely, the ball will go off to the left. Analyze what direction your shots are traveling in, and then make alterations to your grip accordingly.

When lining up on the tee, make sure that the ball is aligned with the heel of your forward foot. In every other shot, the ball should be right between your feet. The only exception to this is when your ball lies on a slope.

To maximize your shot, you always want to ensure that prior to swinging, your hold on the club is correct. Make sure the handle is resting against your palms while your thumbs point downward. Your hands should be touching. To hit the golf ball further, try to choke up the club.

When you swing, use your hips to shift your weight from one foot to the other as you perform the move. Shifting your weight in this manner makes your swing much more powerful, which in turn drives the ball further down the course.

Golf has grown into a very popular sport for plenty of reasons. You could improve your game by applying these tips.