Always focus on a small target, even if it's a spot in the fairway, before your swing. (Courtesy USGA)

Improve your golf game with target line maintenance

By Karl Fischer,
Contributor

The object of this great game of golf is to strike the ball into the hole in one smooth motion. As long as you have a club in your bag that goes that far, it is a reasonable goal. How do we do it?

Think it: Confidence.

Now think target line maintenance. The shortest distance between the ball and pin is a straight line. See the line and work it.

Don't hit one ball without a target. The target is the pin or, if you cannot shoot directly at it or see it, envision quarter on the fairway and aim at this small target.

Right, you say -- maybe you can do it but not me. This is a simple decision. If you try it in earnest, you will be amazed at the improvement.

If we get a little lazy and shoot at the green, which is 150 feet across, then our target – the cup -- is effectively 150 feet across. That would make the game much easier.

Aim at the quarter and your game will improve immediately.

February 3, 2003

Karl Fischer has spent some 35-plus plus years teaching golf nationally and internationally earning the title of "IGAD-Doctorate," "CIMTP-Certified International Master Teaching Professional," "CMCB-Certified Master Club-Builder" and "CGC-Certified Golf Clinician." He has written six golf books, thousands of editorials, tips, "Bullet-Proof Drills" and much more. He can be reached at KF@555golf.com or by phone at (817) 673-8888.