Jack Moorehouse

Bad weather in golf is a real challenge. It adds an extra element to an already difficult sport. It taxes your creativity, imagination, and fortitude. And it tests your playing skills. But if you live in an area that's not conducive to golf year round, playing in bad weather is the only way you can extend the season.

In golf putting is the name of the game. If you want to quickly reduce your golf handicap, improve your putting. How do you do that? Most experts agree that if you're serious about improving your putting, you'll "immerse" yourself in the effort—take golf lessons, read golf tips, and practice as much as you can.

This is the second part of a two-part article. It discusses centering and radius—two of the four common denominators that make for a sweeter swing—one that will dramatically cut your scores and lower your golf handicap. Part I covered plane and face, the other two common denominators.

This is the first part of a two-part article. It covers plane and face—two of the four common denominators to a sweeter swing that will help you lower your golf handicap. Next week we'll discuss centering and radius.

Countless ways exist to shave strokes from your scores. For example, an accurate pitch shot from 50 yards away positions you to one putt the hole, instead of two-putting or three-putting it, like you would if you hit a bad pitch shot. Most good pitches save at least one stroke, and maybe two or three, depending on the situation. Hit accurate pitch shots consistently and you'll lower your golf handicap.

Golfers living in warmer climates are lucky. They can play golf all year round. That keeps their skills sharp, their swings intact, and their desire to play satisfied. They don't have to deal with the bitter cold or snow-covered courses like some golfers. In the battle to slash strokes from one's golf handicap, it's good to live in warmer climates with plenty of courses open for play all year.

Watch any PGA pro and you'll see that he or she does the same things on every shot. They follow the same pre-shot routine, they use the same tempo, and they follow through the same way on every shot.

Vijay Singh works harder than anyone on the Tour. He spends hours and hours every day working on his game, practicing every facet of it—from putting to chipping to driving—so that he can be the best he can be.

While not every professional golfer drives the ball 300+ yards, they all excel at pitching and chipping it close. In fact, they're so good at the short game, they usually hit pitches or chips close enough to where they only need to one-putt to make par or birdie. Many are also great putters.

The best way of shaving strokes is by improving your short game. It’s also the best way of cutting your golf handicap down to single digits. So if you're truly serious about cutting your golf handicap, you'll set a goal for yourself of becoming more precise in your short game and eliminating those costly errors due to unrealistic expectations.