It takes plenty of time and practice to become good at golf. While there’s no substitute for actually playing the game, practice can’t be ignored if you’re serious about improving your golf skills and technique.
If you tend to practice the same thing in the same way all the time (or not practice at all), it’s probably time to develop some new practice habits. Here’s what you need to do.
Have a plan for your practice sessions
Do you practice with purpose, or just wander around seeing how many balls you can hit in an hour? The best way to really get something out of your practice sessions is to have a plan. And it should be focused, meaningful and unique to you.
Practice regularly
Maybe you do practice – but how regularly? If you only practice every now and then, or even worse, once in a blue moon, you can’t expect to see results. As with anything that you learn, regular practice is the key to becoming proficient. Set a regular time for practice and write it in your diary – and stick to it. These two steps – having a plan, and regularly executing it – will go a long way towards improving your game.
Types of practice
All practice sessions should not look alike. There are different types of practice, and you need to be carrying out each one to cover all your bases.
Mental practice
The mental side of the game is just as important as the physical, but is something that many golfers fail to practice. If you tend to fall apart under pressure, lose your focus, and get caught up in a negative and self-defeating mental cycle, then you could benefit from improving your mental skills. Work on some visualisation or mental focus techniques. Develop a pre-shot routine to set a consistent stage for each shot. You can find plenty of techniques and resources online, or consult your local golf professional for advice.
Technique
Skill development and improvement should be an important part of your practice session. While there is no such thing as a perfect golf swing, you can certainly work on getting closer to the ideal, more and more. Changing and improving your movement pattern should be the aim of your technique practice. You might need to work on tweaking your downswing mechanics, or making a grip change or changing your shoulder position in your backswing. Whatever your focus is, break the skill down into its component parts to practice, then try and put it all together in the shot. Practice in front of a mirror to gain immediate feedback on what you’re trying to improve, before taking it to the range.
Physical practice
This type of practice is something that many golfers miss out on as well – getting in shape for the game. Golf may seem like a leisurely sport to some, but it’s actually quite physically demanding on a player’s body. To perform at your best and achieve the correct body positions and swings, you need a strong combination of mobility, strength, stability and cardiovascular fitness. That means you’ll have to work on strengthening your leg, arm, hand, abdominal, chest, back and hip muscles to produce an efficient and effective swing. A lack of this type of fitness and strength will lead to poor performance, particularly as you get older. It may also lead to injuries. Physical strength and fitness should be a priority if you’re serious about the game.
Click here to find out how to minimise golf injuries.
Make sure you incorporate some stretching and strengthening exercises into your golf practice on a regular basis. A bit of weight training combined with some core conditioning and stretching will give you a big advantage. Your handicap – and your body – will thank you.
Pressure
It’s all very well being able to perform a great swing during practice, but it’s during the game that it really counts. You need to be able to perform those skills you’re practicing under pressure – and that’s something that needs practice too. Invest some time in practicing your shots in pressure situations. Try creating game-like situations that simulate the pressure of golf in your practice session, such as this one you can find here.
Practice the things you’re not good at, rather than the things you are
Sure, it’s fun to get out there and show off your amazing drive off the tee, or your precise putting. But how much are you achieving by practicing only the things that you enjoy and are good at? Chances are, not very much. To improve your whole game, you need to practice your whole game – not just the fun stuff. If your chip shots always let you down and you hate playing them, guess where your focus should be?
If there’s things that you’re not executing well on the course, take it back to your practice session and incorporate it into your plan. Get some coaching from your local professional, find some tips and drills online, or watch some videos of people perfectly executing the stroke you’re struggling with. Whatever you do, focus on improving the weak parts of your game, and your whole game with benefit.
You can find some great drills to improve your putting here.
Also practice the swings you use most
Having said this, it’s also wise to practice your bread-and-butter shots, the swings you use most. Especially if your practice time is limited, you need to make sure you keep these regular strokes ticking along nicely. Include them in your practice session, but if they are going well, don’t make them the focus.
Practice on course
If practice time is short, it can help to practice during your down time while out on the course. While you can’t hold up the course with your practice, it might be possible to practice hitting a few balls on the same hole, or play a few practice putts after you’ve sunk yours. It can be really helpful (particularly for beginner golfers) to practice out on the “playing field” rather than just at the driving range or practice green. Just make sure you’re not distracting your playing partners, or holding up anyone behind you.
Make great practice sessions part of your game
Take a well-rounded approach to your practice sessions, and work on all parts of your game – mental, physical and technical. Cover the shots you use often, and the ones you’re not so good at. Work on your short game and your long game. Practice in a stress-free situation, but also practice under the pressure you’re likely to face in a game. Come prepared with a plan for your sessions, and practice regularly. This will go a long way towards helping you become a better golfer.
To discover more about getting a competitive advantage in golf, click here.
