Steve Thomas Golf

Your best shot is not the shot you should plan for.

Too many golfers choose their target based on the perfect strike—the straight drive, the flushed iron or the shot finishing next to the flag.

But better course management is built around your **dispersion**: the full pattern of shots you are realistically likely to hit.

In the latest episode of **Divot: The Golf Performance Podcast**, I explain how playing to your dispersion can help you:

• Choose smarter targets
• Keep costly mistakes out of play
• Make decisions based on probability, not hope
• Lower your scores without changing your swing

Good strategy is not about always playing safely. It is about giving each shot the greatest chance of producing a successful outcome.

🎧 **Play to Your Dispersion, Not Your Best Shot**

Listen through the link in my bio or find the podcast here:

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/divot-the-golf-performance-podcast/id1896858890

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/033rd2cidR8lJV2eIEnDjh

Amazon Music
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b1cc0fd4-9ac0-4515-b6ad-ff64717f6a79

Podbean
https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-76b2n-153f306

Your downswing problems might actually start in your backswing.

In this shot, the goal was to improve the position of the club at the top.

Why does that matter?

Because when the backswing is better organised, the golfer has a much better chance of:

• Starting down in the correct sequence
• Delivering the club on a more effective path
• Controlling the clubface
• Striking the ball more consistently

The position at the top does not need to look perfect. It needs to give you the best possible opportunity to deliver the club successfully on the way down.

A better downswing often starts before the downswing even begins.

What part of your swing are you currently working on?

You could be making a good swing—and still missing the target because you were never aimed there in the first place.

A common mistake is setting the feet first and then adjusting the clubface to match.

Try reversing the process:

• Choose your intended target
• Pick a smaller intermediate target just ahead of the ball
• Aim the clubface at that point
• Build your stance around the clubface
• Trust your setup and make your swing

This gives you a clearer reference, improves consistency and reduces the need to compensate during the swing.

Before you start changing your technique, check that your alignment is giving your swing a fair chance.

Not sure what is really costing you shots?

Download my free Golf Performance Starter Guide through the link in my bio and start identifying where your game needs the most attention.

Proud to have contributed to Today’s Golfer since 2020, sharing practical coaching advice designed to help golfers understand their game, practise with greater purpose and play better golf.

It has been a privilege to contribute to one of the UK’s leading golf publications and share ideas that golfers can apply to their own development.

For more personalised support, my free Golf Performance Starter Guide is the ideal place to begin.

It will help you review your game, identify the areas where you could make the greatest improvement and show me more about your golf so we can start building the right plan for you.

Download your free guide through the link in my bio and take the first step towards working with me.

Proud to have contributed to Today’s Golfer since 2020, sharing practical coaching advice designed to help golfers understand their game, practise with greater purpose and play better golf.

It has been a privilege to contribute to one of the UK’s leading golf publications and share ideas that golfers can apply to their own development.

For more personalised support, my free Golf Performance Starter Guide is the ideal place to begin.

It will help you review your game, identify the areas where you could make the greatest improvement and show me more about your golf so we can start building the right plan for you.

Download your free guide through the link in my bio and take the first step towards working with me.

GolfPractice GolfPerformance SteveThomasGolf

Still fighting a slice?

One clue may appear in what your arms do after impact.

If they fold too early, the club can work sharply upwards rather than continuing around your body.

Try this:

• Keep your chest turning through the shot
• Allow both arms to extend after impact
• Rehearse the movement slowly before hitting
• Start with half-speed swings and hold the finish

This is not the only cause of a slice, but it can reveal an important movement pattern in your swing.

Save this for your next practice session.

Not sure what is really costing you shots?

Download my FREE Golf Performance Starter Guide through the link in my bio.

Do you actually need a golf lesson — or do you just need to practise more?

One bad round does not mean you need to rebuild your swing.

But it may be time to get help when:

• The same miss keeps coming back
• You practise regularly but your scores are not improving
• You do not know what to work on
• You keep jumping between different swing tips
• Your good shots feel more like luck than something you can repeat

A good lesson should not just give you another drill.

It should help you understand:

✓ What is costing you shots
✓ What needs to change first
✓ What you should practise
✓ How to measure whether it is working

If you are no longer improving on your own, stop guessing and get a clear diagnosis.

Not sure where your game needs the most work?

Download my free Golf Performance Starter Guide through the link in my bio.

What is the one part of your game you would most like help with?