Image Credit: The Els Club Malaysia

Golf, much like any other sport, requires lots and lots of practice. Even the most gifted of golfers in the world, got to where they are today due to long hours of hitting, chipping and putting the ball, perfecting their technique and training their minds as much as their bodies on ways to overcome the challenges posed at each hole.

What is key, however, is that one not just practice but practice with a purpose. While this may sound simple enough, it requires one to practice deliberately and have a systematic plan to push yourself beyond your normal level of play. Of course, this does not happen overnight and requires much patience and perseverance.

When it comes to perfecting golf shots it’s always good to have expert help. Sure watching related YouTube videos is good, but there is nothing like getting advice out on the green, where someone can actually watch you play and give you precise pointers on what you are doing wrong and how to improve. Many courses around the world now even have special academies where one can learn the fine art of golf. The golf academy at The Els Club Malaysia which features access to its Johor golf course is one such example where golfers can improve their game.

As part of perfecting your game, you have to make sure that you make a deliberate effort to play outside your comfort zone. You may be good at certain shots, but lack the skill for others. While you may choose to play it safe and hope to get lucky on the greens, chances are you will need to use that shot you haven’t mastered. The best way to overcome this is to keep practising these kinds of shots. Sure, you are going to hit a lot of bad ones, but failures they say are the pillars of success. And the more you practice, the better you will become.

Of course, apart from all this practice, one must ensure two things; repetition and consistency. The more you repeat practising a particular shot, the better you will become at it. Increasing the volume increases your ability and improves your skill set. In addition to this, do practice consistently, so that your body and mind get continuously trained and in turn, will help you perfect your shots.

Image Credit: The Els Club Malaysia

When you hear the word ‘golf’, what comes into your mind? Most probably it will be an image of a bunch of senior citizens hanging out at the country club, hitting a few holes and talking about the good old days right? Well, you’re wrong. Golf isn’t just for the “oldies” anymore. It’s fast becoming one of the hottest games to play. Surprised? Here’s why you should fall in love with golf.

It makes the perfect sport to chill out with your buddies. Imagine escaping into somewhere exotic for a vacay and chilling out with your best pals while teeing off. Sounds good? A lot of people thinks so too that it’s fast becoming one of the latest trends in travelling. Many globe trotters are now booking holidays in places like Malaysia where golf retreats are totally the rage. In tourist destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Johor, a golf course has been given a luxurious upgrade with places like The Els Club Malaysia, adding fine dining restaurants and café to the whole experience.

It’s an Olympic Sport. Golf returned back to the Olympics last year after an astounding 112-year break! So, maybe you won’t get a gold medal but you sure can try your hand scoring a few strikes.

It’s a Gentleman/ Gentlewoman’s game. At one point we have all had the experience of a fight breaking out at a game when it gets too competitive. This almost never happens in golf. Sure, you can get pretty competitive in golf, but there are certain forms of etiquette that needs to be followed if you want to play it right.

It’s a great workout. If you’re a ‘lazybones’ who wants to avoid tough workouts at the gym, golf is the game for you. Golf courses usually cover about 30 to 200 acres. This means, that though you will be using a golf cart, there’ll be plenty of walking around and that will result in plenty of calories being burnt. Carry your clubs yourself and you’ll burn even more. With all that walking, carrying and not to mention the swinging, you’ll be burning close 1000 calories per game!

And finally, you can drink while you play! Need there be any other reason to love this game? Unlike all the other sports, golf gives you the chance to grab some drinks while you play. So, it’s plenty of swinging, good times!