What Rory McIlroy said was the biggest mistake amateur golfers make, their ‘handicaps would come way down’ by stopping it

Add as preferred source on Google

Rory McIlroy is one of only six golfers in the history of the game to have won all four major championships.

So when McIlroy gives advice about how amateurs can improve their games, it is well worth listening to him.

The Northern Irishman has been totally dominant on the PGA Tour this year, with three wins to his name in seven starts, including the Signature Event at Pebble Beach, The Players Championship and The Masters.

McIlroy’s win at The Masters is expected to really free him up now, and nobody would be surprised if he went on to win many more majors between now and the end of his career.

The 35-year-old is perched aloft amongst the greatest golfers to have ever played the game, and this could be just the start of his success.

The emotion McIlroy felt after winning the Masters was one of pure relief, and it’s easy to understand why.

He worked hard on his game for three decades in order to finally fulfil his lifelong dream.

Now he has told amateurs how they can improve their games, although don’t expect a green jacket if his tip helps you!

What Rory McIlroy said was the biggest mistake amateur golfers make

If you’re an amateur struggling with your game right now, who better to ask for help than McIlroy, The Masters champion?

The tip he has just given to amateurs is quite possibly the most simple and practical advice any tour pro has ever shared.

When answering questions alongside US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, McIlroy was asked what is the most common mistake amateur golfers make:

“Honestly, trying to play shots that they can’t pull off. I think if most amateurs played within themselves, and just took on what they could and didn’t try to do too much by trying to play above their level. They would shoot better scores and their handicaps would come way down.“

Whilst it sounds simple, it’s actually so true.

If you are an average golfer and you’re stuck behind a tree, then just get the ball back in play!

There is a lot to be said for smart golf and after all, if you’re a 10 handicapper and above for instance, you have plenty of shots to play with.

McIlroy isn’t perfect himself: His swing change explained

During the off-season, McIlroy embarked on a swing change.

It was only a minute adjustment, but one that has yielded huge dividends already.

After his win at Pebble Beach earlier this year, McIlroy said:

“I want to get my right arm and right shoulder more externally rotated on the way back. I feel like I keep my right elbow in front of my body at the top of the backswing. It’s a right-sided sort of takeaway feel. Then from there, it will hopefully stop the club from getting across the line. That’s the change I was trying to make. I have a big shoulder turn, so the club will probably always point right of the target for me. I just feel like over the past year it got a little bit too pronounced, so I’m just trying to tease it back into position where it’s a little more in line at the top.”

To simplify matters, when Rory says ‘externally rotated, he means getting the club face in a more neutral position rather than a closed one by ever so slightly opening up his right hand and arm on his backswing.

The result of this is that his timing should be easier to synchronise as he doesn’t have to change the path of his club on the downswing.

McIlroy must be absolutely delighted that the swing change he made in the off-season has seemingly kicked him on to another level entirely.