8 COMMON FAULTS...FIXED!

Play better golf with these simple tips and drills...

- Photography Tom Miles

When coaching amateur golfers, I often see the same mistakes over and over again. These occur all the way from the tee box to the green and, ultimately, cost them shots and the chance to lower their handicaps. However, with just a few simple tweaks, it's possible to get back on the right track.

Remember, changes can take time to bed in - so factor in some range visits to ensure you give these areas the attention they deserve. It will be worth it in the long run, as I know you can play better golf and shoot lower scores if you spend time working on these eight common faults...

Poor takeaway with the driver

If you start your journey to the airport and take a wrong first turn, it will take you a lot longer to get there. It’s the same with your golf swing. Start wrong and it’s going to go all over the place, which can get quite distressing, just like a messy journey!

When you're setting up, think about the relationship of the toe to the heel in your driver takeaway. I never like to see the heel start (below left), and I never like to see the toe start (below right).

The toe and heel should move away together (image on previous page), which helps to keep the clubface square. Try building this into your pre-shot routine.

Open clubface at impact