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The only way to see an improvement in your golf game is through practice. Then again, ask any professional player or Top 100 teacher if all golf drills are equal, and they’ll remind you that it’s largely a piecemeal process.
So what does that mean?
According to GOLF Top 100 teacher Jim Murphy, it means understanding how to practice the right things, the right methods, rather than just going to the driving range without a plan of attack.
Sure, it’s fun blasting drives for an hour in the range, but how does that improve your game overall? Likewise, if you’re really strong in the short game, spending 45 minutes on a failed strike may not be the best use of your time.
To help understand how to improve everyone aspects of your game Murphy offers four tips below for making your golf practice more effective and productive. Check them out and start using them to your advantage – fewer hits on your scorecard should follow soon.
1. Take your time and go over your routine on every shot
I often see players hitting the balls one at a time, almost as fast as they can. I wouldn’t define it as a golf drill; This is called exercise.
Real practice means having the same characteristics as you would on the golf course. It means emulating your preparation, ideas, purpose, and alignment.
So when you’re on the range, make sure you take your time between shots – because that’s what it’s like to be on the golf course. Use a variety of clubs, and go through your routine before landing blows with each one. This should help you mentally prepare for situations during the tour.
2. Choose a club and a target that you can hit
When you practice on the range, choose a target that you can hit a specific club to achieve. If the driving range you’re practicing at has flags and greens, hit different shots for those locations, which will help you determine distance and accuracy when it comes to club selection.
Remember, the main goal in the driving field should be to simulate the track simulation. So don’t just aim at the public areas and hit the ball. Instead, be specific. Aim small, small miss.
3. Focus your attention on the complete process
I always remind my students to practice as if they were playing. What I mean by this is follow the routine on each shot, just as they would on the course. After you’ve completed the routine and you’re ready to fire, focus on the complete process.
Feel the swing, and don’t think about the outcome or the outcome. Simply focus on the swing process.
4. Learn something from every swing, shot, and score
After hitting a practice shot – whether it’s a good score, bad score, or just playing around – be sure to learn something from it, and make mental notes in order to improve on the next one.
I see many amateurs get a shot, and then tell themselves everything they didn’t like about it. They didn’t like being left or right. They hit her too skinny or too fat.
Often, this leads to more inconsistency, because each snapshot only interacts with the last one. So be more active in your golf practice with every stroke.
Every player wants to get better, and practice is the only way to do that. But having a more golf focused training plan will help you reach your goals faster. So be sure to use the tips above and start seeing immediate results.