 One of the most often-mentioned concerns by
golfers is “how come I can hit the ball so
well on the range but have a difficult time
replicating this on the golf course”? When
left on their own to try to figure this
question out, many people look at their on-
course behavior, thinking and playing for the
source of the answer. Frequently, the answer
lies more in their practice behavior than it
does in their playing behavior.
It is necessary, but not sufficient, to hit a
lot of golf balls in order to become
proficient at golf. In addition to hitting
bucket after bucket of practice balls, what
is also imperative is that the type of
practice that one undertakes approximates as
much as possible the actual experience of
playing the game. Watching people’s typical
practice involves seeing them hitting ball
after ball on the range- frequently using the
same club and hitting to the same target over
and over and over again. This is not real
golf. Why then would you practice in this
manner? The key is to practice more like you
play!
Here are 4 easy ways to make your practice
sessions translate to better golf while
playing.
1. Change targets frequently.
On the
golf course, you rarely hit two balls in a
row to the same exact target. Practice
hitting to a different target with each
shot. This has application whether with the
full swing, pitching, chipping, or in the
bunker. Each shot is thought through and
executed as a unique entity- just like on the
course.
,b>2. Change clubs frequently. On
the
golf course, you rarely hit two balls in a
row with the same club. If you regularly hit
your 7-iron three or four times in a row on
the course, your game is in big trouble!
However, this is how people practice.
Changing clubs regularly- say every second or
third shot- is a good way to approximate what
it feels like to be on the course.
3. Use your pre-shot routine more
frequently. Preparation for each
shot on
the course and preparation for each shot on
the range are generally vastly different for
most players. This creates a rhythm that’s
different, a thinking process that’s
different, and a result that’s different!
4. Putt using one ball. You
are not
given the luxury of hitting the same putt two
or three times on the course. Yet many
people drop two or three putts and stroke the
same putt over and over to the same target.
Practice using just one ball- with a full
read- to create an environment that’s similar
to the golf course.
It is true that early in the process of
learning one’s swing it is sometimes helpful
to hit the same club to the same target
without a pre-shot. However, once you are
ready to go play, make sure that you’re
preparing yourself to deal with some of the
same sensations that you have on the golf
course!
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