Instructor Tips

How to Practice Productively

Some golfers measure the quality of their practice by the number of balls they hit on the practice tee. Not so! If your practice consists of hitting 60 balls in a row with your driver you are probably getting more exercise than practice. (You don’t hit 60 drives during a round of golf, do you?)

I believe your practice should be goal oriented and focused on your specific weaknesses, so here are a few suggestions to help you practice correctly.

#1. Identify your weakness. Keep track of your game and record information such as, how many putts, number of fairways you hit in regulation, number of greens you hit in regulation, and number of sand saves. Tracking this information for a month will allow you to identify areas where you need the most work.

#2. Take your information to a PGA/LPGA instructor in your area. With the pro set goals for yourself geared towards improving areas you are weak in.

#3. Break your practice time into segments. For example: 20 minutes putting drills, 20 minutes chipping and pitching, 20 minutes short irons, 10 minute woods, and 20 minutes playing golf. By playing golf I mean pretending you are on the course. Start with your tee shot and then an iron to a specific target. If you miss your target pretend you have to pitch to the green. Use your imagination and invent new holes each time.

By following these suggestions and having guidance from a pro you should see a big difference in the productivity of your practice, as well as your game.

By Don Law