1. For each round played, figure out your handicap differential. To do this:
   1. Take the score and subtract the course rating from it. The course ratings can be found on the course websites or sometimes on your scorecard. If not, you can ask in the course pro shop.
   2. Get the course slope rating from the same sources as step one. Divide 113 (the USGA designated average slope rating) by your course slope rating.
   3. Multiply the result of step 1 times the result of step 2. This is your handicap differential for that round.
   4. Do this for all rounds played.
2. Use the chart below to determine how many of the differentials and which ones you should use to calculate your handicap. Note that you need at least 5 18-hole rounds in order to calculate a handicap.

3. Take the average of the number of differentials used, i.e., if you used 3, add all 3 together and divide the result by 3.

4. Multiply that result by 0.96. Drop all digits after 10ths. The result = your handicap index.

For example, if I have 5 rounds to work with, my course rating is 62 slope rating is 104, and my lowest score is 102 my calculation looks like this:

     102 – 62  = 40

     113/102 = 1.10

     40 x 1.10 = 44

     44 x .96 = 42.24

Therefore, my handicap index would be 42.24.

• Have a plan when you go to the practice range
• Hitting balls for an hour is not a plan
• Change your target with each shot
• Change your club after each shot
• Putt with one ball to several holes rather than several balls to one hole
• Chip and then putt
• Create a par-2 course around the practice green
• Great play begins with thoughtful practice

These tips are designed to simulate what actually happens when you play a round of golf. Not only am I finding them helpful in improving my game, but they make practice much more fun as well.

While I was in California my sister-in-law took me to a very nice golf store called Roger Dunn (near the Mission Viejo Mall). One of the things I bought while I was there was a book called Every Shot Must Have a Purpose by Pia Nilsson and Lynn Marriott. This has turned out to be a really great book and is changing the way I think about my strokes and my scores. The front flap says,

“Unlike any other golf book, Every Shot Must Have a Purpose offers cutting-edge techniques for integrating the physical, technical, mental, emotional and social parts of a player’s game. The book’s revolutionary pre-shot routine improves a player’s focus, leading to a golf swing that is not only successful but can be repeated under extreme pressure. Emphasizing the individual golfer rather than a rigid set of mechanics, their VISION54 method takes the frustration out of the game.”

Now, I recognize that the book flap is meant to make high claims for the book so that people will read it, but in the case I have found it to be true. When I apply the principles of the book my shots are much better. So, I highly recommend this book. It has a foreword by Annika Sorenstam and she recommends it highly as well.

A square setup will encourage a square impact. A square stance means the feet are parallel to the target line. Imagine railroad tracks. Your feet are touching one rail and the ball is on the other rail.	A closed stance will encourage an inside-to-outside swing path, causing a draw. An open stance may encourage an outside-to-inside swing path by giving your arms and shoulders more freedom.	Position the ball a couple of inches inside the left heel for most shots. A consistent position helps develop a repeatable swing. Playing the ball too far forward in your stance tends to open the shoulders encouraging an outside-to-inside swing, often causing a slice.

1. To reduce the problems caused by a poor setup. Many swing faults occur from an improper setup. This can cause unnecessary adjustments during the swing. Taking care to position the ball, feet, hips and shoulders properly ensures building a good swing foundation. Testing has shown golfers with open stances show no more tendency to slice than golfers with closed stances. The open stance may give the golfers a little more opportunity to slice, because it allows a little more freedom in the downswing and follow-though. The square stance is used by most successful golfers. Beginners should start with a square stance. As you advance, you can experiment with the advantages of other stances. Avoid extreme stances. Experiment to find the stance that works best for you. Take care to set up consistently on all normal shots.
2. To start with a proven ball position. Moving a golf ball even two inches forward or back in your stance can make a great deal of difference in shot consistency. Start with the ball a couple of inches inside the left heel. After you master this consistent ball position, you can experiment with other ball positions. However, a ball too far to the front of your stance will increase the chances of a slice by encouraging an outside-to-inside swing. A ball too far back in the stance will make it difficult to get the clubface closed by impact and may cause a push or a push slice.
3. To achieve the goal of hitting the ball at the bottom of the swing arc. Your drives should be hit slightly on the upswing, iron shots are struck slightly on the downswing. Fairway woods are hit at the bottom of the swing arc.

Do’s and Don’ts
Be sure to check the location of the ball with clubs aligned on the ground. Step away to check that you are positioning the ball properly. Ask someone to double-check your positioning. It is hard, without alignment tape or clubs, to visually gauge the proper placement of the ball.
written by Joe Davidson www.SimpleGolf.com