Colin Montgomerie names the two things every amateur golfer gets wrong when trying to lower their handicap

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He might never have got his hands on a major in the world of golf but there are few better voices to pay attention to than that of Colin Montgomerie.

Montgomerie is one of Europe’s most successful golfers ever, with 54 professional wins to his name and five runner up finishes as he fell agonisingly short in the majors.

Now in his more senior years, ‘Monty’ has become one of those figures who are a joy to listen to.

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Indeed, when it comes to being an amateur golfer, there are few out there from European shores who can give as much insight into the game as the Scottish star can.

Now, passing on his knowledge even more, Montgomerie has shared what he believes are the biggest mistakes amateurs make.

Colin Montgomerie says what nearly every golf amateur gets wrong

Speaking on camera for the EU Legends Tour Instagram page, Montgomerie was asked by David Jones just what amateurs get wrong.

And for ‘Monty’, there are a couple of key facets they overlook or simply get wrong.

“Amateurs, they make the grand mistake of ‘par five, I’ll hit it harder’. Right? Got to get there in two, or get as close as possible,” Montgomerie explained.

Going into more detail when asked if there were any overall feelings he sees in amateurs, Montgomerie went on to explain his thoughts.

“It’s interesting isn’t it you know. Every handicap golfer, wants to get that handicap down further. I mean, five foot ten, you walk in a single figure handicap and you’re suddenly six foot aren’t you? It’s that feeling, self-esteem, get your handicap down.

“It’s very difficult, guys and girls nowadays, coming from work expecting to play the monthly medal and expecting to play to seven or eight handicap, you just can’t. We’ve got to – and I hate to use that word practice – but you have to. And I think generally, the amateur, they number one, swing the club too quickly. I’ve never ever told an amateur to swing harder, or quicken up, always to slow down. And two, they grip the club too tightly.

“So the stress and strain in the forearms is huge, with every club, putter included. It doesn’t allow an amateur to actually finish their backswing. If you’re tight, you’re short and can’t do it. If you’re loose, you can get back. Flexibility is everything and it will stop everyone eventually but even if you’re semi-flexible, we can do it, providing you’ve got light hands at address.”

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Colin Montgomerie’s PGA Tour career in numbers

If you’re looking for a golfer from Europe as a shining example of success without winning a major, then Colin Montgomerie is your man.

More than 50 wins as a professional and a Ryder Cup record only bettered by four other Europeans, Montgomerie is very much an icon of the game.

While the European Tour was Montgomerie’s bread and butter, he also had a good go of things on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour.

It goes without saying, then, that Montgomerie has had himself a fine career and with even more success on the European Tour, he’s definitely not short of a penny or two either!