Practice With A Purpose
When someone says, “I’m heading out to practice,” most people just think they’re going to hit balls at the driving range. But there’s so much more to golf than just smashing drivers. If you really want to lower your scores, you’ve got to practice everything—chipping, putting, bunker shots, even your mental game. Everyone who plays knows it’s the little things that really make the difference.
We hear a lot of technical talk about the golf swing and putting stroke, but not as much about how to get the most out of your practice time. Hopefully, these tips will help you make your practice sessions more effective, so you know what to practice and how often.
1. Practice the shots you use most
Most of us don’t have unlimited time to practice, so the big question is: If I only have an hour, what should I focus on?
Most coaches agree your practice should reflect the shots you actually take on the course. If around 70% of your strokes are from 100 yards and in, then 70% of your practice time should be there too—especially with about half of that time dedicated to putting.
2. Always have a practice plan
When you head to any part of the practice facility—whether it’s the driving range, putting green, or chipping area—go in with a plan. Practicing isn’t a race to see how many balls you can hit in an hour. There are plenty of cheaper ways to get exercise!
Start by stretching and loosening up. Pros often stretch for 30 minutes before they hit a ball. That might not be realistic for most of us, but it’s worth remembering: golf is a sport, and you need to warm up.
If you’re starting on the range, begin with a short club like your pitching wedge to loosen up, then gradually work your way to the longer clubs.
3. Always find your target
As you work through your bag, make sure you’re always practicing at a target. Golf is one of the most target-oriented sports there is—so your practice should reflect that. Pick something specific: a target green at the range, a flag, or even a tree in the distance. The smaller and more specific the target, the better your focus will be.