7 Things Scratch Golfers Do That You Should, Too

Updated for 2026: I've refreshed a few points and added habits you told us I missed in the comments.

Scratch golfers share habits and strategies that set them apart. These aren't gimmicks or tricks. They are practical approaches that help keep scores down. If your game has room for improvement, here are seven things scratch golfers do that you should, too.

They keep their equipment clean

Scratch golfers know that keeping golf balls and clubs clean will decrease the chance of dirt, grass or even moisture impacting ball flight and spin. A dirty clubface could cause an unpredictable shot and things like mud and sand can impact trajectory or roll.

Keep a towel (or two) on your golf bag with a wet and dry section. Wipe down the clubface after every shot and clean the golf ball every chance you get.

When things go wrong, they don't overreact

Many higher-handicap players overreact when their game starts to head south. They hit one slice and start reworking their swing plane on the next tee.

Scratch players focus on minor adjustments. They first check to make sure there are no grip or setup-related tweaks they could make to fix the issue.

They are better at damage control than higher-scoring players.

If your game starts to go bad mid-round, start with the basics like posture, setup, aim and ball position. Leave the technical fixes for the driving range.

They focus on the next shot

The tee shot that ended up in the water hazard or the three-footer you missed on the last green are all in the past. The only shot you now have control over is the one you are about to hit.

Scratch golfers can't let their minds linger on those bad shots. They have learned how to reset and focus on the next task at hand. One good shot at a time.

You can start applying this to your game by developing a pre-shot routine in which you clear your mind and focus on the task ahead.

All par-5s are par-4s

A par-5 is an opportunity for a birdie. Scratch golfers look at a par-5 as a long par-4 and they do whatever they can to make a four on the hole. Higher-handicap players often think this is impossible because of the lack of distance in their golf shots.

However, scoring low on the par-5 is also about shot positioning.

Get good at hitting your driver off the tee, then use your second shot to set up a short, comfortable third. Shot Scope found that getting the ball closer to the hole on your second shot (par-5) is beneficial even if it's in the rough. For example a 60 yard shot from the rough gives you a better chance at a lower score than a 100 yard shot from the fairway.

Treat the par-5 like a long par-4 where you have to get up and down to save your score.

They use data to learn about their game

Not all scratch golfers love data. You won't see them all fine-tuning their performance on the range with a launch monitor. However, they have at some point used data to get fitted for clubs, learned that their weakness is their 100-yard shot or realized that a softer golf ball spins too much for their game.

Data is valuable.

You don't have to track every single round. However, using shot-tracking tools like Arccos or Shot Scope to monitor club distances and your tendencies on the course will help you play smarter golf. Our data on where golfers lose the most strokes is a good place to see what you might find..

Distance control with wedges is a strong point

Scratch golfers can control their wedge distances. From 50 yards and under, the scratch golfer gets up and down about half the time (according to Shot Scope data), while the 25-handicap player gets up and down only a quarter of the time.

From the 100-yard mark, the scratch golfer takes an average of 2.98 shots to finish and the 25-handicap takes almost a full shot more.

A lot of this has to do with distance control on wedge shots. The better players know how to hit 50-, 60-, 70- and 80-yard shots on demand. Try setting targets at 10- or 20-yard intervals when you practice shots under 100 yards. Learn what club/swing length you need to hit each of these targets.

They play one primary shot shape

We talk a lot about how it's good to know how to hit a draw or a fade because you can run into situations where you need it on the course. However, don't think that great players change their shot shape on every swing they take.

They don't.

Scratch golfers have a go-to shot shape they trust and use as often as possible.

Although they have the ability to hit a variety of shots, consistently executing one shot shape simplifies decision-making. It also helps you trust your swing under pressure.

Many higher handicappers struggle with inconsistent shot shape. Sometimes, it's a matter of not pushing yourself too far away from what's natural. If a fade is natural for you, play it.

What you told us I missed

When this story first ran, plenty of you added habits of your own. These are the ones that came up most.

• They warm up. Several of you pointed out that low handicappers stretch and loosen up so they're ready on the first tee, not finding their game on the fourth hole. Five minutes makes a difference.

• They spend time on the practice green. An extra few minutes chipping and putting helps you learn the speed before your round. One reader noted that practice greens don't always match the course, so he focuses on his short putt stroke.

• They know the rules. Knowing your relief options can save you strokes, especially after a penalty area or when your ball is in trouble. One of the most important is to learn how to play an unplayable lie.

• They don't play the hero shot. When they're in trouble, they punch out and make the best of it, and they avoid the blow-up hole.

• They know their miss. Better players pay attention to where their misses go and factor that into where they aim.

Do you have another? Tell us in the comments.