When someone says ”I’m heading out to practice”, most people just assume they are heading to the driving range. Obviously, there’s a lot more that goes into the game of golf than just practicing your full swing. Everyone that plays golf realizes how important practicing is when trying to lower your scores.

We hear a lot of technical talk about the golf swing and putting stroke, but we don’t hear much on how to get the most out of your practice time. Hopefully, the following tips will help you get more out of your practice time and help you figure what to practice and how often.

1. Practice the shots you use most.

For most players, practice time is limited, so the big question is: If I only have an hour, what do I focus on?

Most experts agree that your practice session should mirror the strokes you take on the course. If 70% of your shots are from a 100 yards and in, then spend 70% of your practice time on it. With about half of that practice time on putting.

2. Always have a practice plan.

One good thing to remember when you’re heading out to any part of the practice facility whether it's the driving range, putting green or chipping area is to have a plan. Practicing isn’t a race to see how many balls you can hit in an hour. There are plenty of other less expensive ways to get exercise.

The first part of your practice routine should be to stretch and loosen up. A lot of professional golfers stretch for 30 minutes before they even hit their first ball. This probably isn’t realistic for most golfers, but many people forget that golf is a sport just like any other and you need to stretch.

If you do start your practice session on the driving range, remember that most good players loosen up with a short club like your pitching wedge and then make their way to the longer clubs.

3. Always find your target.

Now that you’re working your way through the bag, do yourself a favor and practice at a target. Golf is one of the most target-oriented sports that you can play. So, your practice should reflect this fact. It can be a target green at a driving range or a tree in the field behind your house. Remember to pick as small a target as you can.