Golf Travel iconGolf Travel Leaderboards iconLeaderboards Become a Member iconBecome a Member Shop iconShop , external linkTrade In iconTrade In , external link
Intermediate

Golf Tips: Six Keys to Hit More Greens

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

On what has become seemingly her farewell tour, Lexi Thompson is right in the thick of contention at a Major Championship.
She took an early lead on Thursday at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship when she fired a four-under 68, and is two back of the 6-under lead after a second-round 72.
Throughout her career, Lexi has been best known for her power and less known for her approach game. So far at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Washingtong, it's been a different story.
On the nearly 6,800-yard layout, Lexie hit almost 80 percent of her greens while only needing 28 putts on the day in Round 1. That all important greens in regulation stat, combined with impeccable putting, is the winning combination.
Improving your ability to hit more greens in regulation can significantly lower your golf scores. Here's a game plan to help you achieve that:
1. Focus on Accuracy off the Tee: Keeping the ball in play off the tee is crucial for setting up easier approach shots. Rather than always reaching for the driver, consider using a club that ensures accuracy and allows you to find the fairway more consistently.
2. Understand Your Distances: Understanding how far you hit each club is vital to hitting more greens. Invest time on the range in fine-tuning your distances, and get comfortable hitting your irons and wedges consistently.
To do this, I suggest a weekly session to get your yardage with each club via a radar device. This self-awareness of what you hit each club will empower you to make more informed decisions on the course.
3. Focus on Course Management: Before hitting a shot, take a moment to assess the situation. Consider the best place to miss if you don't hit the green and whether you should be aggressive or conservative based on pin position and hazards.
4. Stay Calm Under Pressure: Hitting more greens is not just about physical skills, it's about maintaining composure on the course, especially when you have a good round going. Keeping your nerves in check can help you execute your shots more effectively, instilling a sense of confidence and resilience in your game.
5. Work on Your Mental Game: Visualizing successful shots and staying positive will help you hit more greens. Develop a pre-shot routine that helps you focus and stay in the right frame of mind.
6. Track Your Statistics: Tracking your greens in regulation statistics can help you identify areas for improvement and give you a clearer picture of your progress over time. Beyond the number of greens hit, look for patterns on where your misses are: short, short right, long left, etc.
Remember, the path to hitting more greens in regulation is a journey that requires patience and practice. By incorporating these tips into your game plan and dedicating focused practice time to this aspect of your game, you're setting yourself up for improved success on the course . . . just like Lexi has showed at Sahalee.
Keep at it, and good luck!
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Director of Instruction, Freelance Golf Writer

[Brendon Elliott, PGA](https://brendonelliott.com/), is an award-winning PGA Professional, player-development coach and nationally recognized golf writer with three decades of experience in the golf industry. As of 2026, he has been a PGA Professional for 17 years and has earned more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors for his work in coaching, education and player development. In 2017, he received the PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. ## Coaching Competitive Teenage Golfers Through [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home), Brendon specializes in working with competitive teenage golfers who want to improve their performance, better understand their games and prepare for the demands of high school, junior tournament and college golf. His primary focus is [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching), which allows him to remain actively involved in a player’s development regardless of location. Rather than relying on occasional lessons or isolated swing fixes, Brendon works with players throughout their competitive journey. His coaching covers much more than the golf swing. Players receive ongoing guidance in structured practice, short-game development, putting, course management, tournament preparation, performance analysis, goal setting and the mental and physical habits required to improve over time. Using video analysis, virtual coaching sessions, performance data and regular communication, Brendon helps each player understand what to work on, why it matters and how to make meaningful progress between practices and tournaments. Brendon accepts only a limited number of in-person students in Central Florida. His priority is building long-term [Remote Coaching](https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching) relationships with competitive teenage golfers and their families. The goal is not simply to help a young player hit better shots. It is to help that player become more prepared, more accountable and more capable of navigating everything competitive golf demands. Brendon’s career has included serving as a head golf professional, general manager, college golf educator, career development director, academy owner and longtime junior golf leader. He founded Little Linksters Golf Academy in 2008 and led the organization for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching [BE A GOLFER](https://beagolfer.golf/home). ## Golf Writing and Media Brendon is also a nationally recognized and prolific golf writer and storyteller. He is the Senior Golf Writer for [Athlon Sports](https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott) and has written extensively about professional golf, instruction, player development, equipment, golf history and the people shaping the game. His work has also appeared with PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine, MyGolfSpy and several other prominent golf media outlets. Through [One More Roll Golf Media](https://onemorerollgolf.com/), Brendon provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and media services throughout the golf industry. His background as a coach and educator shapes the way he writes, while his work as a writer strengthens the way he coaches. He understands how to explain complicated ideas clearly, ask better questions and connect the technical, strategic and personal sides of golf.

We also recommend

Golf Tips: Three Keys to Hit Your Wedges Like Lexi Thompson
quick coaching
Golf Tips: Three Keys to Hit Your Wedges Like Lexi Thompson
A Look Back at Lexi Thompson's Career in PGA of America Events
Game Changers
A Look Back at Lexi Thompson's Career in PGA of America Events
Golf Tips: Perfect Your Posture With This Simple Drill
quick coaching
Golf Tips: Perfect Your Posture With This Simple Drill