There is nothing more frustrating than spending countless hours practicing your golf game, and not seeing any meaningful results. There is plenty of information out there on the golf swing, but golfers aren’t ever taught how to practice correctly. One of the biggest complaints you will hear from golfers is that they spend hours practicing, but never see any improvement on the course.
In my opinion, the biggest problem is something I call zombie range sessions. Players show up to the range and start pounding through their bucket. They don’t take any time to think about what they are doing, pick a target, or even give themselves more than 20 seconds between swings. For most, the range is a contest to see how far they can hit it. In most cases, players are just reinforcing bad habits. They are not learning anything new or challenging themselves.
If you do the same old, you get the same old.
One of the main differences between highly-skilled golfers and the rest of the pack is that they practice with intent. They show up to the practice range with specific goals and a plan on how they are going to spend that time. They know the drills they will do, they know what they are trying to improve, they know what to do. It doesn’t have to be complicated or feel like you are doing tedious chores. It should be fun and challenging so that you stay engaged.
Have a Target
At the minimum, each shot should have a specific target. Most golfers swing, and are hitting balls “out there.” Don’t do that! Take time before each shot and decide exactly where you are trying to land it, and take notice where your misses are occurring. If you fall victim to hitting balls too quickly, put the bucket behind you. Now you will be forced to stop and pick up the ball before each shot rather than becoming a golfing machine gun. Every shot must have a specific purpose.
Experiment
One of the great ways to increase your golfing skill is to experiment with small changes in your swing to manipulate the golf ball. I recommend devoting a small portion of each practice session to experimentation. Try to hit a big sweeping hook. Move the ball around in your stance to see how it can affect your shot shape and trajectory. Try to hit your 6-iron 75 yards. Hit your lob wedge to the same target with three different trajectories. Hitting these kinds of shots will help you become more creative, but more importantly, I believe it will help you become a better ball striker with your normal swing.
Challenge Yourself
One of the great ways to make your practice more effective and engaging is to challenge yourself with skill games. Not only will it make things more fun, but this is how you simulate the pressure of playing a real round of golf.
Technical Changes
Many golfers are on an endless journey to make swing changes. Often they are getting random tips from strangers or friends that won’t help them improve at all. I’ll always give you homework, so that is what you should concentrate on between lessons. You need to do the prescribed work during your practice sessions in order to see results. Taking the lesson is the first part, putting in the work is the more critical step.
If you want to become a better golfer and have time to practice, then your best chance of success is to make that time mean something. You don’t have to spend three hours at the range to see improvement. You want to work smarter, not harder.
Process Golf 