How to improve your golf handicap and enjoy every round more

For any golfer, lowering your handicap is more than a matter of pride—it is the tangible measure of your progress. Reaching that coveted number brings greater confidence in every shot, a deeper enjoyment of the course, and the satisfaction of seeing your hours of practice pay off. But improving your handicap requires more than natural talent; it demands strategy, consistency, and taking full advantage of world-class golf facilities.

Understand your handicap and how it works

Your handicap is the tool that allows your level of play to be measured objectively and fairly against other golfers. Under the current World Handicap System, every score you submit adjusts your handicap according to the course rating and your net result, reflecting your true playing level. Understanding how the system works—and the role of qualifying rounds or supplementary scores—allows you to create a smart, consistent plan to bring that number down.

Play more qualifying rounds

If you want to improve, you need to play. But it’s not just about clocking up rounds; they need to count towards your handicap. Whether through official competitions or supplementary scores, these rounds let you capture your real potential without the pressure of a tournament. The more frequently you play qualifying rounds, the more accurate—and the more responsive—your handicap will be.

At our Murcia courses—Hacienda del Álamo Golf, Mar Menor Golf, and Saurines de la Torre—you will find the perfect environment for this. From wide fairways and strategic water hazards to demanding greens, every layout offers a fresh challenge and the opportunity to post scores that truly reflect your improvement.

Practice with purpose

Playing more is not enough—you need to practise smarter. Elite golfers do not just hit balls; they practise with a clear objective:

• Prioritise your short game: Approaches and putting account for most of the strokes that bring your handicap down.
• Simulate pressure: Train as if you were in competition to master the nerves of that first tee shot.
• Analyse your stats: Identify where you are losing shots—whether in bunkers, the rough, or on the greens—to focus your practice effectively.

At UGOLF Academy by Thomas Johansson, we use advanced swing analysis technology and NXT LVL programmes to pinpoint areas for improvement and design a personalised plan. This is the difference between routine practice and training to win.

Choose the right courses to progress

Playing the same course repeatedly can limit your development. Rotating between different layouts develops a more complete game:

• Hacienda del Álamo Golf: One of Spain’s longest courses, perfect for honing strategy and distance control.
• Mar Menor Golf: Combines narrow holes with generous greens and water features that demand precision.
• Saurines de la Torre Golf: Desert-style design with undulating fairways and challenging greens that sharpen your course-reading skills.

Enjoying premium facilities not only raises your level of play but also transforms every round into a memorable experience, on par with Europe’s most renowned golfing destinations.

Keep the right mindset

Lowering your handicap is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistency, patience, and emotional control are as vital as your swing. Play with ease, avoid obsessing over your score on every hole, and remember: every shot is a chance to learn.

Training with a clear plan, combined with playing on high-quality courses, makes the journey of improving your handicap as exciting as it is rewarding.

Ready to take your golf to the next level? Book your tee time at our UGOLF Murcia courses and discover why we are the destination of choice for golfers who want to elevate their game with style and excellence.