Putting
Putting is the most important shot in golf, which explains why even the best players in the world spend hours practicing this stroke. The object of the game of golf is to put the ball in the hole in the least amount of shots and putting makes up about 43 percent of these shots. Putting is the shot that everyone—regardless of ability—has a chance to master. How do you become a great putter? Practice, practice, practice.

Chipping
Described as a low-running shot, a punch, or a bump and run, chipping is a shot that may be used in many different situations and is typically played around the green. Club selection varies, depending on the desired trajectory and the amount of roll needed. Consider chipping when you are trying to keep the ball low underneath branches or out of the wind. The lie will help you decide if chipping is the best shot for advancing the golf ball: the more challenging the lie, the more you will need to adjust the angle of your downswing to dig the ball out.

Pitching
It is impossible to over practice this shot. A pitch shot is critical because it develops the tempo, rhythm and balance of your full swing technique, moving you closer to becoming the player you want to be. When practicing this shot, picture a high-lofted shot that lands like a butterfly then rolls out softly.

Greenside Bunker
Think of this shot as a pitch from a sandy lie. To complete it, you simply need to make a couple of minor adjustments to your setup. First, open the club face to create loft and activate the bounce. You do not want the club to dig into the sand—instead, it should skip or bounce through the sand as you produce a descending blow to create an explosion of sand that launches the ball up and out of the bunker. To insure that you do not hit the ball, but instead strike the sand, position the ball more forward in your stance. The length and pace of your swing should have the same tempo, rhythm and balance as the pitch shot.

Fairway Shots
On the most basic level, achieving a successful fairway shot depends on appropriate club selection based on the distance you are trying to hit the ball. Beyond that, the critical key to success is to have a routine: determine your distance, assess the situation—uphill, downhill, or side hill lie, wind, elevated green, water hazard, bunkers—visualize the shot, choose the club, take practice swings for feel, and then execute the shot. Developing a routine starts during practice. Are you the golfer who hits great shots on the range, then struggles on the course? If so, start working on your routine.

Tee Shots
The start of each hole begins with the tee shot. Even if it is a par three hole, mount the ball on a tee. Although a driver is used only about 14 times during an 18-hole round of golf, when practicing, most players hit only their driver. Golf is not a game of how far, but of how many. The golfer who has a measurable tee shot and a solid short game, will have a better score than the golfer who goes for the "big bomber" shots off the tee, but does not have a short game. Tee shots are important, but find the short grass first. Fairways are targets that are usually 50 yards wide: take pressure off yourself at the start of each hole by planning to simply put the ball in play.

Strategy
Understand what score you are capable of achieving. For example, if you want to be a bogey golfer, you need to shoot 18 over par. To accomplish that, you need to set your sights on getting the ball on the green in one less than par, then two putting. If you understand the types of shots you are realistically capable of making, this can be as simple as it sounds. What are your strengths and weaknesses? Spend practice time working on weaknesses and developing a strategy for becoming a bogey golfer. Also, start tracking basic statistics: number of putts, distance from the hole once you are on the green, penalties, fairways hit, green in regulation (GIR). Finally, if you have a favorite club that you can count on time and time again-use it. There are no pictures of shots on the scorecard, just numbers.

Competition
Whether you are playing in a local best ball scramble or preparing for qualifying school, your biggest competition is yourself. As Bobby Jones said, "No one will ever have golf under his thumb. No round ever will be so good it could not have been better. Perhaps this is why golf is the greatest of games. You are not playing a human adversary; you are playing a game. You are playing old man par." To prepare yourself for competition, during practice, do not cheat yourself-play by the rules. If you are not honest with yourself during practice, you will struggle during competition.