Improvement in golf game requires practice, but not all practice is created equal. It is important to understand how to practice the right things in the right way, rather than just hitting balls without a plan.
GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jim Murphy suggests the following four tips to make golf practice more effective:
- Take your time and go through your routine on every shot: True practice means simulating the same characteristics as on the golf course. Take your time between shots, use a variety of clubs, and go through your routine prior to hitting a shot with each club to mentally prepare for situations during a round.
- Pick a club and a target that you can hit: Practice with a target in mind, like a flag or a green, to help identify the distance and accuracy when it comes to club selection. Aim small, miss small.
- Learn something from every swing, shot, and result: After hitting a practice shot, learn from it, make mental notes, and do better on the next shot. Avoid merely reacting to the last shot as this can lead to inconsistency.
- Focus your attention on the complete process: Practice like you’re playing. Go through the routine on each shot and focus on the complete process of the swing, feeling your swing, rather than thinking about the outcome or result.
By following these tips, golfers can make their practice more effective and productive, leading to fewer strokes on the scorecard.
