Practice doesn't make perfect--perfect practice makes perfect. To develop repeatable golf skills, you'll need to learn and practice them in the context of a round of golf. You don't get to hit 100 balls in a row from the same lie with the same club on the course, so practicing that way on the driving range has limited value. Set up your practice to mirror the drives, approach shots, chips, pitches and putts you'll experience on the course, and you'll increase your chances for improving your game.
Step 1
Write down the major problems you are having during a round of golf so you know specifically what to work on during practice sessions. Once you know you're playing problems, research corrections prior to going to the driving range. Use the Internet, golf magazines, advice from friends or instruction from a golf pro.
Step 2
Visit a driving range. Swing your club without a ball to slowly and gently warm up. Start with an iron and slowly increase your comfortable range of motion. Avoid static stretching, where you hold the stretch for 10 or more seconds, which can decrease power if you do it close to your performance time, according to researchers at Wichita State University. Practice swings will provide enough dynamic stretching to loosen your muscles.
Step 3
Practice your swings starting with short irons and progressing to woods. Take three to four shots with a variety of clubs, even if you only plan to work on one area of your game. You will want to practice like you play, so during driving range visits, you'll use more than just your short irons or driver or wedges, even if those are the only clubs on which you plan to work.
Step 4
Play several simulated holes of golf, starting with a tee shot, moving to a long second shot, then an approach shot, finishing with a pitch. Aim at targets for each shot, just as you would on the course. Switch clubs after every shot, even if you mishit your practice shot, just as you would on the course.
Step 5
Take the one club you want to improve and begin taking practice swings, aiming at targets to gauge your effectiveness with that club and any problems you have. Make adjustments based on your results. For example, if you are slicing, stand farther away from the ball, set the ball farther up in your stance or strengthen your grip.
Step 6
Change clubs after you feel comfortable that you are hitting the shot you practiced correctly. Change clubs after you have hit half as many balls as it took you to get the shot right. For example, if it took you 20 shots to get the swing right, take only 10 more practice swings.
Step 7
Change to clubs that are similar to the one you're practicing and continue to practice. Don't go from a 5-iron to a driver. Move one club length either way and continue practicing from the same lie.
Step 8
Play simulated holes to finish your practice session once you feel you are able to repeat your swing with several different clubs. This will help transfer your new swing skill to the course.
Member Comments