Finding Focus on Golf Instruction

When thinking about how a golf instructor—such as Brian Bobbitt, British PGA Pro—can help improve your game, it’s useful to break it down into specific parts of your game. This way, you can target the areas where instruction will have the biggest impact. Here’s a detailed guide:

1. Full Swing (Driving & Long Irons)

• What they can help with:

  • Swing mechanics: grip, stance, posture, alignment

  • Tempo and rhythm

  • Ball flight and consistency

• Benefits:

  • More distance off the tee

  • Straighter shots

  • Consistent contact with irons

• Signs you need help here:

  • Hooks, slices, or inconsistent distance

  • Poor ball contact

2. Short Game (Chipping & Pitching)

• What they can help with:

  • Chipping techniques around the green

  • Pitch shots from varying distances

  • Use of different clubs for short game

• Benefits:

  • Lower scores by saving strokes around the green

  • Better control of spin and trajectory

• Signs you need help here:

  • Difficulty getting up and down

  • Inconsistent distance on chips

3. Putting

• What they can help with:

  • Stroke mechanics

  • Reading greens

  • Distance control and pace

• Benefits:

  • Fewer three-putts

  • More confidence inside 10–15 feet

• Signs you need help here:

  • Missing short putts consistently

  • Poor green reading or pace control

4. Course Management & Strategy

• What they can help with:

  • Club selection

  • Risk/reward decisions

  • Understanding how to play to your strengths

• Benefits:

  • Lower scores through smarter play

  • More confidence during rounds

• Signs you need help here:

  • Frequently in trouble off the tee

  • Overhitting or underhitting shots

5. Mental Game & Focus

• What they can help with:

  • Pre-shot routines

  • Handling pressure and competition nerves

  • Staying confident after mistakes

• Benefits:

  • Improved focus and consistency

  • Better performance under pressure

• Signs you need help here:

  • Losing focus mid-round

  • Difficulty recovering after bad shots

6. Physical Fitness & Flexibility

• What they can help with:

  • Golf-specific exercises

  • Warm-ups for rounds and practice

  • Injury prevention

• Benefits:

  • More powerful and repeatable swing

  • Reduced risk of injury

• Signs you need help here:

  • Fatigue affecting swing late in rounds

  • Limited mobility impacting your mechanics

How to Decide Where to Focus

1. Track your stats: Fairways hit, greens in regulation, scrambling, putts per round.

2. Identify weaknesses: Which part of your game costs you the most strokes?

3. Talk to your instructor: A good British PGA Pro will assess your swing and make a tailored plan.

4. Set measurable goals: E.g., reduce three-putts by 30%, increase fairways hit by 15%.