Excerpt from Lower Your Golf Score

There are two ways to go about lowering your golf score. You can either make fundamental improvements to your golf swing, thereby taking your scoring range to the next level. Or you can learn to maximize the efficiency of the game you have right now. In my book, A Golf Swing You Can Trust, I deal with the basic principles of the golf swing, from the grip to the finish position. If you are keen to hit the ball better, you need to read the book, as it will help you build a swing with more control.
This book deals with how to maximize the efficiency of your current game. Irrespective of how you hit the ball, there are ways to help tighten your scoring range, so you don't blow up so often, and you shoot your handicap more regularly.
I learned the art of scoring the hard way, on the European Tour. When I first went away to compete against world class players, like Seve Ballesteros and Sir Nick Faldo, my capacity to put a score together was pretty poor and I took a real beating. In fact I finished virtually last in my first five events in Europe. It was only when I sat down and closely analysed the mistakes I was making, did I find out some fundamental truths about the art of compiling a score.
The top players have certain characteristics in common when it comes to scoring. Like all golfers, they have bad days when their swings don't work as they want them to, but they still manage to get the ball round the course. After comparing my game with theirs, I realised I had to work on the following aspects of my game:
~ A safe shot off the tee
~ More accurate fairway wood shots
~ Control with iron shots to the green
~ Efficient pitching technique from 50 yards
~ Great chipping action
~ More efficient putting
After working hard to hone these skills, I won a 'Shooting Star Award' on the European Tour for the player with the most improved order of merit position. I went on to represent Europe against the USA in PGA Cup matches, and in 1992 I won the British PGA Professional Championships. Incorporating a two dimensional approach, where I improved my technique and my tactics, I went from being the worst player on tour, to someone who was respected for their ability to get the ball in the hole, in the fewest amount of shots.
In this book, I am going to explain how you can improve the points I mention above, that made such a difference to my golf game. But before I do, I want to mention one thing with regards to technique that will give you more control off the tee, and better feel round the greens.
In my book, A Golf Swing You Can Trust, I deal with the importance of the stance.