By admin 
Look, as average and beginner golfers, we all make mistakes out on the golf course – which should be expected, as every level of player does it, even greats like Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele.
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But the mistakes that really crush rounds? The controllable ones which don’t come from a chunked shot or a wicked slice off the tee with your driver.
Sure, those are infuriating to deal with and accept, but if you’re an amateur player, they happen a lot. But the ones that come from dumb decision-making? Those are the ultimate killers – and it’s time to fix them if you’re serious about lowering your scores, says top-ranked teacher Ryan Young.
Too Many Amateur Golfers Don’t Know Their Distances
In the video above – which comes from my 3-hole challenge with Young at the iconic Chambers Bay – Young gives me a candid golf lesson that every amateur golfer needs to hear.
“Humbling moment here, Nick, as you chose 8-iron to be conservative,” Young says. “But I’d say every average golfer needs to know that you may think you hit a pitching wedge or a 9-iron 135 yards, but when you club up and see where the ball actually goes, you’re still [at least] 10 yards away from the flag.”
While Young acknowledges that I did hit my approach shot onto the putting surface, because I didn’t choose the right club to begin with, I left myself a long lag putt that doesn’t only require good speed, but also better-than-average green-reading skills – and just one mistake while putting could lead to a blow up hole in a hurry.
“Look, you’re on the green, but this is a longer lag putt and is no easy 2-putt here,” he adds. “But that should be your goal… just get it up on that ledge and inside of three feet.”
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Naturally, when you find yourself this far away from the hole, even if you’ve hit the green in regulation, it’s easy to 3-putt your way to a bogey (or worse!) as an average golfer – something we’re all probably used to doing.
“Since we know this putt moves a little bit right to left at the top, it’s more aggressive going up the slope, so aim just one cup to the right of it,” Young instructs. “l say that because, when most golfers are this far away, they usually have a bias [towards the left or the right] and tend to push it.”
If you’re serious about lowering your golf scores, it’s time to avoid the common mistake of using the wrong club. By understanding your distances with each club in your bag, you’ll set yourself up for success by leaving yourself closer putts once you reach the green.
So don’t overlook this key component when it comes to scoring in golf, it could be the difference between a good round and an all-time great one.
Craving more golf swing tips and golf instruction? Be sure to subscribe to Rainmakers Golf on YouTube for more relatable swing advice to help your game improve.
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This story was originally published May 7, 2026 at 10:54 AM.