Golf Information

4 Easy Ways to Take Your Golf Practice to the Course


One of the most common concerns expressed by golfers is "how come I can hit the ball so well on the range but have a difficult time replicating this on the golf course"? When left on their own to try to figure this question out, many people look at their on-course behavior, thinking and playing for the source of the answer. Frequently, the answer lies more in their practice behavior than it does in their playing behavior.

It is necessary to hit a lot of golf balls in order to become proficient at golf. However, in addition to hitting bucket after bucket of practice balls, what is also imperative is that the type of practice that one undertakes approximates as much as possible the actual experience of playing the game. Watching people's typical practice involves seeing them hitting ball after ball on the range- frequently using the same club and hitting to the same target over and over and over again. This is not real golf. Why then would you practice in this manner? The key is to practice more like you play!

Here are 4 easy ways to make your practice sessions translate to better golf while playing.

1. Change targets frequently. On the golf course, you rarely hit two balls in a row to the same exact target. Practice hitting to a different target with each shot. This has application whether with the full swing, pitching, chipping, or in the bunker. Each shot is thought through and executed as a unique entity- just like on the course.

2. Change clubs frequently. On the golf course, you rarely hit two balls in a row with the same club. If you regularly hit your 7-iron three or four times in a row on the course, your game is in big trouble! However, this is how people practice. Changing clubs regularly- say every second or third shot- is a good way to approximate what it feels like to be on the course.

3. Use your pre-shot routine more frequently. Preparation for each shot on the course and preparation for each shot on the range are generally vastly different for most players. This creates a rhythm that's different, a thinking process that's different, and a result that's different!

4. Putt using one ball. You are not given the luxury of hitting the same putt two or three times on the course. Yet many people drop two or three putts and stroke the same putt over and over to the same target. Practice using just one ball- with a full read- to create an environment that's similar to the golf course.

It is true that early in the process of learning one's swing it is sometimes helpful to hit the same club to the same target without a pre-shot. However, once you are ready to go play, make sure that you're preparing yourself to deal with some of the same sensations that you have on the golf course!

Jeff Troesch, MA, LMHC is an internationally recognized expert in the mental side of golf. As the former Director of Sport Psychology for the David Leadbetter Golf Academies, Jeff has worked with thousands of golfers nationwide and brings a wealth of experience to seasoned golf professionals as well as the recreational golf lover. You may contact Jeff directly through his website, http://www.fitnessforgolf.com.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Associated Press

Golf: Wilkinson right in the mix in Texas
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - 3 hours ago
New Zealand golfer Tim Wilkinson was involved in a tight contest midway through the final round of the US$4.5 million ($7.62 million) Texas Open in the ...
Golf-Sabbatini takes Texas Open third round lead Reuters UK
Last year's Masters champion Johnson wins PGA Texas Open AFP
Latest from three golf tours Radio New Zealand
Stuff.co.nz - SkySports
all 908 news articles


Leishman runs away with WNB Golf Classic
International Herald Tribune, France - 46 minutes ago
... to move into position for a spot next year on the PGA Tour, shooting a 4-under 68 on Sunday for an 11-stroke victory in the windy WNB Golf Classic. ...
Leishman leads by three at halfway in Nationwide WNB Golf Classic PGA.com
Leishman cruises to 11-shot win in Texas Sports Network
At Nationwide WNB Classic, Leishman earns first win in very big way PGA.com
Sports Network - Sports Network
all 39 news articles


Seve's charisma elevated golf in Europe
FOXSports.com - 2 hours ago
More about the condition of the 51-year-old golf superstar is expected to be revealed Saturday after additional tests. From event coverage to commentary to ...
Video: Golfing Great Seve Ballesteros Has a Brain Tumor AssociatedPress
Golf-Ballesteros says tests show he has a brain tumour Reuters.uk
Regardless of the odds, Seve will fight ESPN
Times Online - Telegraph.co.uk
all 1,243 news articles


Golf Course Review - Blue Heron Pines Golf Club
Kansas City Star, MO - 4 hours ago
Awards Won: Four stars by Golf Digest's Best Places to Play (2000-09), Best 18-hole Golf Course - Casino Connection Magazine, Certified Audubon Cooperative ...


NDTV.com

Golf: Brown 10th in India
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand - 4 hours ago
Mark Brown continues to lead the Order of Merit on the Asian Golf Tour, finishing in a six way tie for tenth at the Indian Open in Delhi. ...
Golf-China's Liang snatches Indian Open win by one shot Reuters.uk
Liang registers birdies on final to holes to clinch Indian Open ... The Canadian Press
China's Liang triumphs in India golf AFP
Thaindian.com - The Press Association
all 248 news articles


Houston Chronicle

Homeowners fight development plan for ex-golf course
Houston Chronicle, United States - 18 hours ago
He's concerned that a developer's plans for the former Clear Lake Golf Club's 178 acres could worsen flooding. Merle Bunde looks from his rear porch toward ...


San Francisco Chronicle

Chronicle Radio: Talking golf with Fred Couples and Greg Norman
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 15 hours ago
Fred Couples and Greg Norman sit down for an audio interview with Chronicle golf writer Ron Kroichick about the 2009 Presidents Cup tournament, ...
Golf notes Sonoma Index-Tribune
Presidents Cup Q and A: The past is an ever-present consideration ... San Francisco Chronicle
all 3 news articles


Washington Post

Golf Capsules
International Herald Tribune, France - Oct 9, 2008
Claxton and Browne, a three-time tour winner, had bogey-free 64s in sunny and warm conditions on La Cantera Golf Club's Resort Course. ...
Aussie Green seizes Texas Open golf lead AFP
Green leads the Texas Open RTE.ie
Green leads Texas Open The Gazette (Montreal)
The Press Association - PGA Tour
all 272 news articles


GolfDigest.com

Golf Photo Wire
ESPN - 17 hours ago
... after finishing play on the 18th green of Blackhawk Country Club during the third round of the Longs Drug Challenge golf tournament in Danville, Calif., ...
In-Kyung Kim leads Longs Drugs Challenge Bradenton Herald
Kim, Stanford make their moves Korean leads Texan by a stroke ... San Francisco Chronicle
Five Months Pregnant and Still Making Birdies, Hjorth Near the ... FanHouse
International Herald Tribune - Sports Network
all 515 news articles


Golf camp from Oct 21
Indian Express, India - 3 hours ago
Chandigarh, October 12 A week-long junior golf coaching program will be conducted at the Chandigarh Golf Club from October 21 to October 26 between 4pm to ...

Golf - Google News

home | site map
Web Site Development - Search Engine Marketing: Dream Team Media