Independent real estate developer Michael Intoccia possesses more than thirty years of experience and formerly operated as one of the largest private home builders in Massachusetts. Beyond his current residential and resort construction projects, Michael Intoccia enjoys golfing. Effective practice can enable golfers to lower their handicap, and the following tips can help them achieve this goal.
- Practice at the range. Practicing your shotmaking at the range allows you to develop a repetitive swing and keep your skills sharp. Aim for a specific target on each shot and carefully prepare for the shot as if playing a real round of golf. Your scores on the course will likely reflect your efforts.
- Hone your short game. Sharpening your short game gives you the chance to experiment with different shots and try new approaches, ultimately enhancing your skills. One Columbia University professor found that golfers who shoot 90-plus make only 67 percent of their four-footers, so give this distance particular attention. Commit to at least 15 minutes of putting and chipping practice before and after every round.
- Try new courses. Avoid restricting your practice sessions to your home course and seek out new courses with different elevations, vegetation, obstacles, and grass varieties. Playing on unfamiliar courses expands your experience and broadens your comfort zone, increasing your ability to adapt to new course challenges.
- In addition to the practice tips above, it pays to replace worn equipment. Using worn clubs can interfere with your game, so check your equipment for signs of wear like worn clubface grooves, deteriorating grips, and damaged shafts. When replacing your clubs, make sure to have them fitted by a professional. Equipment that matches your body and swing can also lower your handicap.
