27 Ways To Play Smarter This Season

Discover new ways to lower your scores, ranging from easy swing tips to better fitness and strategy decisions or upgrading to the latest golf kit

27 Ways To Play Smarter This Season
(Image credit: Garmin)

27 Ways To Play Smarter This Season

Everyone that plays golf is trying to get better - it enhances our enjoyment and keeps us hooked because the process of improvement is an endless one. Perfection can never be attained and so there is always progress to be made. Golf is also a game of fine margins with so many dimensions to it - whether it’s the technique you employ, the equipment you use or the decisions you make - it all has an impact on the outcome. Given these complexities, a smarter more considered approach is often the most effective way to achieve lower scores faster. One brand that understands this more than anyone is Garmin. 

It has an expansive array of products designed to help the golfer get the information they need to make better choices during practice and play, whether it’s understanding how far each club in the bag carries or how far it is to reach the bunker off the tee. Crucially, Garmin’s products do this in an unobtrusive way, complimenting the way a golfer goes about his or her business while always being there at the right time when required. Whether that’s through it’s various GPS watches that include the brand new Approach S70 with its AMOLED touchscreen display and fitness features, its versatile Approach R10 portable launch monitor or cutting-edge Approach Z82 rangefinder, the tools you need to cleverly plot your way around the course are right there in front of you. 

Garmin Approach R10 launch monitor

The Garmin Approach R10 launch monitor provides crucial performance insights while doubling as a simulator

(Image credit: Garmin)

Below, we’ve compiled 21 ways to play smarter this season across every area of the game from driving to putting, fitness to strategy, along with some crucial buying advice when it comes to investing the latest technology that can accelerate your improvement journey. These insights will assist every golfer, regardless of age or skill level, so explore the content that rings a bell with you and lower scores will come sooner than you might think. 

Swing Tips

Golf Downswing Sequence Explained

(Image credit: Tom Miles)

Golf Downswing Sequence Explained

inside takeaway golf fix

(Image credit: Kenny Smith)

Inside Takeaway Golf Fix

PGA pro Andrew Reynolds hitting a driver

(Image credit: Future)

How To Stop Coming Over The Top

how to stop hooking the golf ball

(Image credit: Future)

How To Stop Hooking The Golf Ball

How to get a straight left arm in your golf swing for better shots

(Image credit: Future)

How To Get A Straight Left Arm In Your Golf Swing

why do i pull my iron shots

(Image credit: Future)

Why Do I Pull My Iron Shots?

how to stop striking irons heavy

(Image credit: Future)

How To Stop Striking Your Irons Heavy

how to spin the golf ball

(Image credit: Future)

How To Spin The Golf Ball

Reverse Overlap Putting Grip Explained

(Image credit: Future)

Reverse Overlap Putting Grip Explained

14 clubs laid out

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

How To Build The Right 14-Club Set For Your Game

Fitness

10 Simple Golf Stretch Exercises Everyone Can Try

(Image credit: Future)

10 Simple Golf Stretch Exercises Everyone Can Try

Best Golf Workouts: 10 Exercises For Every Golfer To Try

(Image credit: Future)

Best Golf Workouts: 10 Exercises For Every Golfer To Try

Strategy

Golfing New Year's Resolutions

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

Golfing New Year’s Resolutions... How To Commit Both On And Off The Course!

Confidence tips for golf

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

Confidence In Golf: Why Does It Go And How Can You Rediscover It?

A golfer hitting an iron shot into the 13th at Royal Troon

(Image credit: Kenny Smith)

How To Calculate Distance In The Wind

how to open the clubface in golf

(Image credit: Future)

How To Open The Club Face In Golf

Buying Advice

best garmin golf watches

(Image credit: Tom Miles)

Best Garmin Golf Watches

7 Traps To Avoid When Gifting For A Golfer

(Image credit: Kevin Murray)

7 Traps To Avoid When Gifting For A Golfer

Product Reviews

Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch Review

(Image credit: Future)

Garmin Approach S70 Watch Review

Garmin Approach Z82 Laser Rangefinder Review

(Image credit: Future)

Garmin Approach Z82 Laser Rangefinder Review

Garmin S42 GPS Watch Review

(Image credit: Golf Monthly)

Garmin Approach S42 Watch Review

Garmin Approach S12 GPS watch

(Image credit: Tom Miles)

Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch Review

Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor Review

(Image credit: Future)

Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor Review

Garmin MARQ Golfer Watch Review

(Image credit: Future)

Garmin MARQ Golfer Watch Review

Garmin Approach G12 GPS

(Image credit: Future)

Garmin Approach G12 GPS Review

Garmin Approach S62 watch

(Image credit: Mike Bailey)

Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch Review

Garmin Approach G80

(Image credit: Garmin)

Garmin Approach G80 GPS Review

Deputy Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 14 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all equipment and video content at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader or viewer find exactly what they are looking for.

One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 2.8.

Joel's current What's In The Bag?

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9°, Fujikura Ventus Black 6 S shaft.

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15°

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18°

Irons: Titleist T150, 4-PW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM10, 50°, 54° and 58°

Putter: LAB Golf DF3

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x