Play Better Golf: The Most Common Golf Mistakes

No matter how killer your iron game is, or how many years of experience you have, at some point, you’re going to miss the green or hit an errant approach shot. And it might even happen with your wedges, but we’re here to tell you this: missing your wedges is a big-time sin and something you ought to avoid at all costs. 

The reason many players miss is pretty straightforward—they either don’t choose the right clubs or don’t hit the right type of shot. Remember that most wedge shots are done at less than full power, so it’s important that you get a handle on how far your full-powered pitch, lob, and chip shots fly in comparison. 

So, be more mindful of not only which wedge you choose, but also the type of shot you’re actually wanting to hit. Scratch golfers and PGA Tour players know this, and recognize that it's a great way to make big differences on the scorecard— just ask professional golfers like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods.

This one is obvious, but it’s a common oversight by many players. Golfers often fail to recognize just how detrimental penalty strokes can be, influencing the risk-reward calculations that players have to make at each hole. Water hazards and out-of-bounds stakes are hard to get past, especially if you’re an average player who doesn’t make a lot of birdies. Taking unnecessarily risky golf shots can land you in deep water (literally!) and potentially add several extra strokes to your game.

Better players adhere to this kind of analytical thinking that helps them play the long game and come out with a lower score. This strategic play is why hitting a bad shot or penalty strokes (of any kind) are few and far between among good golfers.

That’s not to say you won’t ever encounter a penalty (we all do), but it’s definitely a mistake you should do everything in your power to avoid. A big part of this is mental toughness: play within your golf game and limit risk to help increase the likelihood of landing the golf ball in the right place. Penalty strokes aren't the only thing you should avoid, but it's definitely one of the best things amateur golfers should focus on to lower the tally on the scorecard.

The next of the worst golf sins is three-putting. Not only are 3-jacks among the most frustrating mistakes, but they’re also one of the easiest to avoid. To find a better way to limit your number of three-putts, you should try to get better at lag putting and avoid second putts longer than three feet. 

If you need some motivation, consider this. Keegan Bradley is, at the moment of writing this, the leader in the clubhouse when it comes to avoiding three putts. He’s played 218 consecutive holes without ever three-putting. And furthermore, not only is he good at avoiding three-putts, he went 740 for 740 inside 3-feet last year. That’s no misses at all inside three feet— mind-blowing!

More recent news in the golf world includes ROKFORM’s release of Eagle 3 magnetic phone cases for the Samsung Galaxy S23! Samsung users can also enjoy the benefits of such a slim and lightweight case that firmly attaches to any magnetic surface. Whether it’s on your golf cart or a ROKFORM phone car mount, this case’s extra capability is a true game changer.

Another one of the most common errors happens when players let their grip technique slide. It’s a back-to-basics topic, but when our attention turns to achieving a good swing movement, it can be easy to fall back onto old habits of an inefficient, weak grip or too strong grip. 

A good golf grip is really where the rubber meets the road as it’s the only contact point between your body and the club. To hit the sweet spot, make sure to grab enough club and have a firm grip without tensing your upper body too much. The best way to improve consistency is by establishing a pre-shot routine where you settle both your grip and lower body, getting ready for a smooth swing. Take a few practice swings and you’re all set up to hit a good shot!

Pant pockets or storage cubbies on golf carts aren’t ideal places for phones on the golf course. Bulky phones can obstruct your lower body movement and cup holders rattle phones around while driving. Instead, use the ROKFORM Eagle 3 magnetic phone case that lets you firmly stick your device to the cart. 

The ROKFORM Eagle 3 is the only smartphone case designed specifically for golf. From the clubhouse to the green, the case’s strong magnets attach securely to golf carts and prevent accidental drops along the cart path. The Eagle 3 is currently available for the iPhone 14, iPhone 13, and the Galaxy S23. And just in case you're wondering if magnets are safe for your smarphone - YES, they are, and we've been using them in our phone cases since 2011.

There are many excellent smartphone apps out there that can give you a better understanding of the course and enhance your own playing. In a previous post, we selected the top 8 best GPS golf apps that improve your golfing experience. The Eagle 3 golf phone case sticks onto any magnetic surface for easy viewing of your favorite yardage apps from the golf cart.

ROKFORM makes golf-specific phone cases, phone case accessories, and portable golf speakers that are the favorites of pro golfers and weekend amateurs alike. Upgrade your golf day setup and say goodbye to your device rattling around your cart’s cup holder or awkwardly sticking out of your pocket.

Have questions about our products or which golf accessories are right for you? We are available for online chat or in-person at our Irvine, California showroom. Call us toll-free at 855-765-3676, email us at info@rokform.com, or visit us at www.rokform.com