From Beginners to Pro: Your Ultimate Guide to Elevating your Golf Game

Whether you're new to golf, feeling inspired after watching The Masters, or you've been playing for years and want to level up your game, this blog is for you.

One of the biggest things that catches people out when they’re new to golf is thinking it’s all about swinging fast with your arms. But if you speak to experienced players, they’ll tell you the secret is treating golf as a full-body movement. Learning to engage your hips and core properly doesn’t just improve how cleanly you hit the ball—it also helps prevent injury. Over-relying on your lower back for power is a common cause of pain and strain, and it often leads to inconsistent shots like slices (where the ball veers off sharply to the right).

Another key part of improving your game is understanding how your stance and weight distribution should change depending on the club you’re using. With wedges, your weight is more centred and you lean slightly over the ball to help you lift it with less power. Irons require a balanced stance right over the ball for control and consistency. When using a driver, your back foot sits further behind the ball to allow for a more powerful hip swing.

So how can you start building better habits and avoiding injury? Of course, time on the driving range is valuable, but adding some smart gym work to your routine can make a big difference. Try exercises that build mobility and control through your hips, upper back and core. Think resistance band thoracic rotations, core bracing, and external rotation exercises for shoulder stability. Strengthening your glutes, quads and hamstrings will also give you a stronger base to generate power from.

At Proactive Chiropractic, we help golfers of all levels move better and feel stronger. If something feels like it’s holding you back—whether it’s an old injury, stiffness or lack of control—we’ll work with you to pinpoint the cause and get you progressing again.

If you’re just starting out or stuck in a bit of a rut, focusing on small wins can help you rebuild confidence. Pick one area to work on, whether that’s using a certain club, improving direction, or hitting consistent distances. Even practising your swing without a ball, paying attention to your stance and how your body feels through the motion, can make a huge difference. Hitting 10-12 balls per club consistently at the range is a great way to track progress over time.

Lastly, don’t forget that golf is just as much a mental game as a physical one. As we saw in the 2025 Masters, even the best players can go from a brilliant front nine to a frustrating back nine. Everyone who plays knows the highs and lows that come with the sport. In many ways, pain can feel the same—it shows up uninvited, is sometimes hard to explain, and doesn’t always follow a clear path. At Proactive Chiropractic, we get that. We’re here to help you understand what’s going on in your body, and to work with you on a plan that fits your goals, so you can enjoy your game without discomfort holding you back.