Top 12 Common Mistakes New Golfers Make and How to Fix Them

Golf is undoubtedly a challenging sport for beginners. Whether you are just starting out or trying to perfect your game, avoiding common golf mistakes can help you improve faster. Understanding these common golf mistakes and how to fix them will improve your performance on the course.

1. Poor Grip

A proper grip is essential for a consistent swing, but many beginners either grip the club too tightly or position their hands incorrectly. Studies show that excessive grip can reduce clubhead speed by more than 15%.

How to Fix:

Use a neutral grip, holding the club between your fingers rather than your palm, and keep the grip moderate. Try putting a coin in your glove and if the coin doesn't fall out when you swing, that's the right grip. Experiment a lot to find the grip that works best for you.

2. Unbalanced stance

Many beginners have problems with their stance when they first learn to play golf. The distance between their feet is too narrow or the center of gravity is unevenly distributed, which can easily cause the body to shake when swinging.

How to Fix:

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly, keeping your back straight. Lean forward slightly from the hips while keeping your arms relaxed. Keep your weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet, not on your heels or toes.

3. Use the Wrong Club

Many beginners may simply purchase the same clubs with the same shaft flex as the pros. Hitting the ball with the wrong club can lead to difficulty controlling the ball.

How to Fix:

You need to know the distance of each club in your bag. This exact distance can help you choose the right club. Alternatively, you can use a laser golf rangefinder to accurately measure distances, thereby improving your overall performance.

Investing in the right tools, such as a WOSPORTS golf rangefinder, can also enhance your accuracy and performance on the course.

4. Hit the Ball with The Wrists

Many beginners inadvertently overuse their wrists during their swing, which can result in a short and inconsistent swing.

How to Fix:

Instead of using your arms to generate power during your swing, use your body, keep your wrists steady at impact, and smoothly rotate your hips and shoulders during the backswing and downswing, which effectively transfers energy to the club head for a proper swing and shot.

5. Hit the Ball Too Hard

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make in their golf swing is trying to hit the ball too hard or making unnecessary movements.

How to Fix:

Keep your movements smooth and controlled. Use your body rotation to generate power, not just your arms. You can try placing a calibration stick behind the ball to visualize the correct swing plane.

6. Ignore Short Game Practice

Many beginners spend most of their practice time on the range hitting full swings and neglect short game practice, such as putting, chipping, and pitching.

How to Fix:

Spend time working on your short game, trying to putt, chip, and pitch from different lies and distances. Don't neglect both long and short game practice, so you can also develop your feel and rhythm on the greens.

7. Not Maintaining a Steady Rhythm

Some players or beginners may swing too fast or too slow, both of which affect the accuracy and power of the shot and disrupt the rhythm of the shot. Maintaining a steady rhythm ensures a consistent swing speed, which improves the shot.

How to Fix:

Learn to maintain a steady and balanced rhythm with each swing. Use mental counting or rhythm drills to develop a proper rhythm.

8. Poor Alignment

Poor alignment is one of the most common golf mistakes made by young players and beginners. Poor alignment of the body and clubface can lead to off-target shots and inconsistent shots.

How to Fix:

Before you swing, make sure your feet are shoulder-width apart and your hips and shoulders are parallel to your feet. Give yourself a specific target for every shot, and use visual cues like a dot on the ground to help you align the clubface accurately. It's best to make alignment drills part of your practice routine to improve your alignment.

9. Incomplete Finish

Some players stop or slow down during the swing, which can lead to a loss of distance and accuracy. A balanced and complete finishing position can effectively improve the accuracy of the shot.

How to Fix:

Practicing a complete and balanced finishing position with your chest facing the target and your weight on your front foot will help you control the shot while maintaining speed.

10. Skip the Warm-Up and Stretching

Many amateurs often head straight to the first tee without warming up. This can actually reduce power and flexibility. A proper warm-up and stretching can wake up your muscles for a smooth shot.

How to Fix:

It's recommended to set aside 5-10 minutes to warm up, stretch, and get your core muscles ready. In addition to this, you can also use some swing training aids to warm up.

11. Feel Too Tense

If you are nervous on the course, your body will tense up as well. This will affect the impact of the shot, resulting in a series of mistakes.

How to Fix:

Before hitting the ball, take a deep breath to relax and relieve tension. And control your breathing, keep steady. Then concentrate on swinging with the correct movements and rhythm.

12. Lack of a Pre-Shot Routine

Many golfers overlook the importance of a pre-shot routine, rush through their swing, and don’t get the best results.

How to Fix:

A pre-shot routine can help you maintain a consistent pace of play. Many players develop a pre-shot routine naturally over time and include visualizing the trajectory and placement of the shot, aligning the ball, and practicing their swing.

How to Improve Your Golf Game Effectively?

Avoiding these common golf mistakes will help you effectively improve your golf game. A golf rangefinder for beginners is also one of the most valuable tools for golfers looking to improve their game. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, using a laser golf rangefinder can help improve your performance on the course.

Consider investing in the best golf rangefinder 2025, it can make a big difference in your golf experience!