Let’s be honest: golf is hard. And improving? Even harder.

While many golfers dream of shooting lower scores, few consistently get better. So, what’s the difference between those who improve and those who stay stuck on the scorecard treadmill?

It’s not raw talent. It’s not buying new clubs every season. It comes down to habits — repeatable routines and choices that build a better golfer over time.

Here are five key habits that the most improved players share — and how you can start implementing them today.

1. They Show Up Early and Prepare With Purpose

If you’re rolling into the parking lot five minutes before your tee time, rushed and stiff, you’re sabotaging your round before it starts.

Great golfers show up early to prepare. They loosen up, get a feel for their swing that day, and eliminate first-tee jitters. Even 15 minutes of basic warm-up can lead to better tempo, more consistent contact, and lower scores.

Pro Tip: Use this time to check your grip, alignment, posture, and tempo — small details that create consistency.

2. They Build Pre-Swing Checkpoints

You can’t always control the result of a shot — but you can control your setup. That’s why smart golfers use pre-swing routines to make sure they're aligned, balanced, and set up for success.

We suggest taking just 60 seconds on the range to check posture, ball position, and side bend. Doing this regularly builds muscle memory — so your setup stays solid even under pressure.

3. They Practice With Intention — Not Just Repetition

If you’re pounding bucket after bucket of range balls with no specific goal, you’re just getting good at being inconsistent.

Golfers who improve treat the range like a lab, not a playground. They mix swing practice (working on mechanics like tempo or transition) with skill practice (shaping shots, changing clubs, or hitting from different lies).

Finish each session with purpose — not fatigue.

4. They Track Their Putting — and Prioritize Speed and Reading

A three-putt doesn’t just ruin your score — it drains momentum. That’s why top players evaluate their putting after every round, focusing on four areas:

• Green reading

• Speed control

• Aim

• Starting line

Of those, speed and green-reading are king. Practicing these two skills leads to fewer mistakes, better feel, and more confidence with the flatstick.

5. They Work on Connection — Not Just Power

One of the biggest differentiators between inconsistent golfers and those who truly improve is their arm-body connection during the swing. A common issue? The dreaded chicken wing — a swing flaw where the lead arm bends and the elbows separate, robbing you of power, accuracy, and consistency.

Improving golfers work on maintaining a connected, repeatable motion, and one of the easiest ways to train that feel is by using a structured training aid like the Golf Swing Shirt.

By gently constraining the arms in its unique sleeve design, the shirt:

• Promotes proper arm-body connection

• Eliminates the chicken wing

• Builds reliable muscle memory

• Encourages a shallower, more efficient downswing

Small Habits, Big Changes

Golfers who improve aren’t working harder — they’re working smarter. They prepare, stay intentional, reflect, and train in ways that create lasting change.

If you’re tired of feeling stuck, start with these five habits. Then, give yourself the tools to make them stick — whether it’s a better pre-round routine or a smart training aid that reinforces your goals.