Many golfers visit the practice facilities with the intentions of improving their games. But many practice sessions become disjointed or have no clear purpose, which end in frustration and result in little or no improvement.
Here are three routines that will help you get the most out of your practice sessions:
1. GAME IMPROVEMENT PRACTICE
As the name suggests, use this type of practice routine when working on a new position, technique or "fix." It consists of drills, exercises, and/or specific routines that will assist with incorporating the new position, technique or fix into your game.
During this type of practice session it's imperative that you focus on the "Objective," rather than the "Outcome." An example of an objective might be setting the wrists earlier during the backswing, rather than the outcome of landing balls within a 15-foot radius using a 7-iron. If you are outcome oriented, you will eventually give up on your practice objective, resulting in little or no improvement.
Also, unless you're specifically working on target related objectives, don't concern yourself too much with whether or not you're hitting your target. That type of practice happens in the next routine I'll share with you.
And oh yeah. Don't try to improve several things during one practice session. Choose one thing to work on and get good at it before moving to the next one.
2. MAINTENANCE PRACTICE
You've worked hard on making changes to your game. Now... it's about repetitive practice to make those changes "stick." It's about doing a bazillion and one "reps" of swings, putts, chip shots, etc... so that the drills you've been working on become part of your game without having to "think" about them. It's about replacing bad habits with good ones.
For example, "feel" that half-swing drill you've been working on as part of your full swing. "Incorporate" that distance control drill into your putting stroke. "Imagine" clipping that tee in the ground during your chip stroke.
Now is also the time you want to be target fixated. A typical one-hour maintenance practice session for me may look like:
- 10-15 minutes reviewing/executing the drill I've been working on during my Game Improvement Practice.
- 35-45 minutes incorporating the drill into my swing/stroke/chip shot while aiming at a target.
- 10-15 minutes of target practice without any swing thoughts of what I've been working on. It's called, "trusting it."
If you're struggling with hitting targets or old habits are still present, go back to the Game Improvement Practice routine. Chances are, you'll be bouncing back and between the two.
3. WARM UP PRACTICE
It's game time. You've made the necessary changes. You've practiced them relentlessly. Now it's time to take it to the golf course!
Arrive at the golf course about 45-60 minutes prior to your tee time. After gearing up and checking in, head to the practice facility to "warm up."
A warm up practice routine could look something like:
- 10 minutes of stretching.
- Hit chip/pitch shots to targets.
- Hit lazy, tension free full swings before hitting balls at your normal tempo. Work up and down the bag (example: wedge, 8-iron, 5-iron, hybrid, driver, 6-iron, 9-iron, sand wedge. Again, always with specific targets and only a few shots with each club. Don't get stuck on one club trying to "fix" the shot.
- With about 10-15 minutes left, head to the putting green warm up by practicing putts of different lengths and breaks. Finish with making some very short putts as a confidence boost.
WARNING!
DO NOT USE the warm up practice session as a Game Improvement or Maintenance practice session. It should be about limbering up for that epic round your about to have. Play the game you brought with you which means if you're fading the ball during the warm up, then play for the fade on the golf course.
Again, incorporate all three and your game will improve and you'll have more fun on the golf course. Let me know how it goes!!
Peace... Love... Golf!
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