Improving at something you enjoy takes time, practice and dedication, and golf is certainly no exception. Training for golf isn't just about hitting balls on the practice range and then going into the club house to pick a tee time. If you want to improve your score, you'll need to spend time training your mind and body to hit better shots.
Physical Training
Practicing your swing on the driving range is important, but training your body to be able to swing the club properly and handle the rigors of a golf round is equally as beneficial. Conditioning and exercising keeps your body flexible, strong and improves stamina, which you'll need for that uphill iron into the green after you've walked 17 holes. Spend time performing cardiovascular exercise and mix in a little weight training. Focus on your legs, arms and core--the three main body systems used during a round of golf. Spend time off the course and before the first tee stretching, which will help you prevent injury and give you the flexibility needed to perform a proper swing.
Driving Range
Every golfer seems to have experienced that practice session in which you hit a bucket of balls and then realized you didn't really work on your game. Don't waste your time and money on the driving range just blindly hitting the ball. Take notes after your golf rounds on the areas where you struggled---long irons, pitching, driving--and work on just that area the next time you hit the range. If you are tempted to pull out your driver and crush the ball, leave it in the car and take with you only the clubs you plan to use that day. Envision your favorite holes on your favorite courses as you are on the range, and try to place the ball where it needs to be. Your range sessions will turn into actual practice sessions in no time.
Mental Training
Golf is as much mental as it is physical. Those jitters you feel on the first tee reflect that fact. Spend time with mental imaging and get your mind inside your game before you play. The next time you're on the driving range and you hit a perfect shot, pause for a few seconds, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Each time you hit a shot like that, repeat the process. Eventually, your mind will link the feeling of hitting a good shot with a calm, cleansing breath. The next time you need to clear your mind during a round of golf, you'll have that mental arsenal in your bag. Take a deep breath, close your eyes and envision your perfect shot, and the jitters will be gone.
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