What if the most common golf advice you’ve ever heard is wrong? The golf world is filled with popular golf myths that are passed down from player to player—and many of them are holding you back. These misconceptions can lead to frustration and stalled progress.
This guide from the PGA-certified instructors at Deer Creek Golf Club is here to set the record straight. We’re debunking the bad advice to give you the clarity you need to build a better swing and enjoy your time on the course.
Swing Myth #1: “You Must Keep Your Head Down”
Many of these common golf myths get passed down from player to player on the driving range.
- The Myth: Perhaps the most common golf myth of all is that you must force your head to stay down long after the ball is gone.
- The Reality: The real goal is to keep your head stable during the backswing, then allow it to naturally rotate with your shoulders through impact. The advice to “keep your head down” is a misconception; forcing it down restricts your follow-through and can cause poor contact. Many golfers who keep their heads locked down actually hurt their accuracy.
Equipment Myth #2: “You Need Expensive, New Clubs to Play Well”
- The Myth: The golf industry often promotes the latest golf club as the secret to a better golf game.
- The Reality: How well a club fits you matters far more than its price tag. A proper fit will always outperform expensive, ill-fitting equipment. Beginner golfers, for example, will benefit more from a set of forgiving game improvement irons than a set of blades used by good players on the PGA Tour.
Game Myth #3: “Everyone on the Course Is Judging You”
- The Myth: New players often feel like they are being watched, rushed, or that they don’t belong on the golf course.
- The Reality: The vast majority of golfers are completely focused on their own game. Every golfer remembers what it was like to be new. The community is generally welcoming as long as you respect the pace of play.
Swing Myth #4: “You Must Keep Your Left Arm Straight”
- The Myth: A rigid, locked left arm straight through the backswing is the key to power.
- The Reality: A relaxed extension is the goal. Forcing your arm to be perfectly straight creates tension and kills swing speeds. Even a famous golf legend like Bubba Watson plays with a noticeably bent lead arm, proving that a fluid swing plane is more important than a rigid position.
Practice Myth #5: “Practice Makes Perfect”
- The Myth: Hitting hundreds of balls on the driving range will automatically make you a better golfer.
- The Reality: The phrase “practice makes perfect” is one of the most misleading myths in golf. Only purposeful practice with a clear goal for every shot leads to improvement. Mindlessly hitting balls often reinforces bad habits.
Swing Myth #6: “A Slice Is Caused by an Open Clubface”
- The Myth: To fix a slice, you just need to close the face of the golf club at impact.
- The Reality: While an open clubface contributes, the primary cause of a slice for the average golfer is an “out-to-in” swing path. This means the club is cutting across the golf ball from the outside.
Game Myth #7: “Golf Takes Too Long to Play”
- The Myth: You need a free five-hour block every time you want to play a round of golf.
- The Reality: Modern golf is more flexible than ever. Nine-hole rounds, twilight play after work, and hitting the driving range are all great ways to enjoy the game on a tight schedule.
Understanding the real cause is the first step to finally fixing your slice and busting one of the most frustrating golf myths.
Course Myth #8: “You Should Always Play From the Back Tees”
- The Myth: Playing from the furthest back tee markers is a sign of a “real” golfer.
- The Reality: The correct set of tees should match your driving distance. Playing from the right tee box based on yardage makes the course more enjoyable and helps with the pace of play.
Improvement Myth #9: “Lessons Are Only for Bad Golfers”
- The Myth: Taking a golf lesson is a last resort for players who are struggling badly.
- The Reality: Golf lessons help players of all levels. Beginners build a solid foundation, while a 15 handicap player can learn course management, and even a scratch golfer needs a tune-up. Even professional golfers work with coaches constantly.
Equipment Myth #10: “A Stiff Shaft Will Give Me More Accuracy”
- The Myth: A stiff shaft is better for control.
- The Reality: The correct shaft flex is matched to your swing speed. Using a shaft that is too stiff for your swing will make it harder to square the clubface, often leading to a loss of both distance and accuracy.
Learn the Truth About Golf at Deer Creek Golf Club
Believing in golf myths leads to wasted hours on the driving range and real frustration on the course. We’re debunking the bad advice and giving you the simple golf facts you need to build a better swing and enjoy your time on the course. When you work on the wrong things, you can’t improve. The secret to better golf isn’t a secret at all. It’s getting correct, personalized information from a PGA Professional.
At Deer Creek Golf Club, our instructors don’t teach myths; they teach proven fundamentals tailored to your swing. During our golf lessons, we help you break bad habits built on misconceptions and replace them with solid techniques. This clarity is what makes the game fun and allows you to confidently play on the best golf courses in Broward County, including our own championship layout.
Ready to experience golf without the frustration? Contact us today to book a lesson or tee time at Deer Creek Golf Club to learn the game the right way.
For more myth-busting tips and expert advice to help you improve, be sure to read our blog.
Clearing Up Common Golf Misconceptions
The golf world is filled with popular myths that get passed down from player to player, often becoming stubborn golf urban legends. If we missed a few above, we may have your answers down below!
What Is the Difference Between a Golf Myth and a Golf Superstition?
A core part of learning golf facts is separating these two ideas. Golf myths are pieces of incorrect advice that can harm your game, like ‘keep your head down.’ In contrast, golf superstitions, like using a lucky ball marker, have no real effect on the outcome but can be a fun part of a player’s personal on-course routine.
Is It True You Can’t Lift Your Putter on the Green?
This is a common piece of golf fiction. While you cannot ground your putter in a way that tests the surface, you are absolutely allowed to lift it. This is often confused with the rule about not touching your line of putt.
Are There Any Real “Golf Legends” of the Sport?
Absolutely. Jack Nicklaus is a true golf legend, and many consider him the greatest major champion with 18 wins. He is part of a pantheon of gold legends that includes Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, and Arnold Palmer, all of whom shaped the history of the game.
Do I Need a Full Set of 14 Clubs to Start Playing?
No, and believing you do is one of the biggest myths that stops people from trying golf. A beginner can easily learn and enjoy the game with a half set (a driver, a few irons, a wedge, and a putter). Many instructors recommend starting this way to simplify the learning process.
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