"How Should
I Practice?"
ByTim Peightal, PGA Professional
Part I :
You should practice wisely, just like the expression
"working smart". After you've warmed up you should approach
your practice session in the same manner you would a round of
golf. You want to hit practice shots the same way you would hit
shots on the course. You need to train yourself on the range to
do what you expect on the golf course. Use the same routine to
hit shots on the range that you would when playing. You're trying
to achieve a conditioned response on the range so you don't have
to think about it on the course. Some people may refer to this
as muscle memory, I call it conditioned response.
Practice the way you want to play, if you're
serious about playing well. Use your time well and you will enjoy
the game much more. Determine what kind of preshot routine fits
you best and do it while practicing. Work on your mechanics and
technique on the range so you don't have to think about it on
the course.
The range is for work and course is for play.
Develop a program for success on the range and let the program
run on the course. Don't interfere with it. It's called "getting
out of your own way" while you play. You're not out there
to play golf mechanics you're playing golf. Practice with intent.
Go out with a goal and try to accomplish it. Don't just beat balls.
If that's what you're doing you might just as well find a gym
and pump some iron. Work smart and use your time wisely. Who knows
you just might start to like practicing and your golf game will
definitely improve.
Part II :
Now that we are practicing wisely lets make sure
we focus. When you are working on swing mechanics or tempo or
technique or awareness remember to work on one thing per one swing.
Don't try and do to much with one swing. Lets say you've chosen
three areas to work on during a particular session. Hit five shots
working on number one only then five working on number two only
then five working on number three only. Then go back to one and
so on. This is called circular learning and it will be much more
productive and you will pay closer attention to what you're doing.
Sometimes practicing can get boring and you will get distracted,
this will help you keep your focus.
Start changing your targets and switching clubs
After you've accomplished your goals for that secession and you're
satisfied with the motion, start changing your targets and switching
clubs. Practice hitting shots to targets that bother you on the
golf course. Like a back left pin position or a far right position.
If you can hit the shot on the range you can hit it on the course.
Also get used to switching clubs when you practice. Hit a driver
then hit a 7 iron, hit a driver then a three wood ect., just like
on the course. This will help you maintain tempo from club to
club. Don't just practice with one club. Very seldom do you hit
thirty or forty 5 irons in a row on the course. The time to practice
is when you are striking the ball well because that is what you
are trying to condition. When you are hitting it poorly is the
time to seek professional advice.
You want to make your practice sessions as enjoyable
as possible, so do what you can to make it fun. After all, you
are working very hard to play a GAME better, so enjoy.
|
