Practice Tips

Practice Tips to improve your practice session

Practice makes Perfect

Not really, “Perfect Practice makes perfect”, otherwise practice makes permanent.

You can’t think and hit at the same time

It is very hard to consciously hit a golf ball. When you take a practice swing you can feel the way your body moves, but when you intend to hit the ball your mind is focused only on hitting the ball. So, when working on a specific move in your golf swing, show your brain what you want your body to do, then step up and try to do it. Repeat this process again and again until you can do it successfull.

Play while you practice

Visualize a golf hole. It may be a hole you have trouble playing or just a hole you play often. Tee up a ball, visualize a fairway between a two of the distance markers, go through your pre-shot routine and hit the shot. Throw another ball down and pick out a club you would have for your second shot on that hole. Line up, go through your pre-shot routine and hit it. Follow this procedure while visualizing several holes you play regularly. Even better, play an entire 9 or 18 hole match using this technique.

Pre round warm up

When you are warming up to play a round of golf, your mind set must be on playing and not practice. Stretch a little bit to get the blood flowing to your muscles then hit several shots with your favorite club to get loose. Then visualize the first hole and play it just like in the previous section “Play while you practice”. Play a few holes on the practice range before you go play them on the course.

Now your mind will be in a playing mode.

When you practice you practice when you play you play.

Set a goal while practicing

To become a better golfer, set a goal while practicing and practice until you achieve that goal. Let’s say you are practicing your chipping from just off the green. Set a goal of getting 10 balls within 3 feet of the hole or chipping in twice before you quit. That puts a little pressure on you which emulates actual playing conditions and will be beneficial to you next time you tee it up on the course.

Pre Shot Routine

Your pre-shot routine should start with you behind the ball looking at where you want the ball to go. Be very specific about picking out a spot to aim at. Walk up to the ball while looking at your target. Turn and set the club head down and align it to your target. Next, grip the club. Now look back at the target and take your stance without moving your hands. Check for light grip pressure, take a deep breath, let it out and start your backswing.