NOT FOUND: better practicing1.jpgHow you practice has a major effect on the improvement and progress of your golf game. Many players place too much emphasis on making full swings at the driving range and what makes maters even worse, there is very rarely a pre-shot routine before each shot. You absolutely MUST go to the practice range with a goal or purpose in mind. If not, it is almost a waste of time and energy.
Here is an effective practice routine that would benefit your golf game. Most of the time the "driving" range is the first and only stop most people make.
Your first stop should be the putting green. Work on your putting stroke and do drills to enhance your ability to roll the ball at the correct speed which will then give you the right distance.
Second, work on your chipping. The chipping stroke is the start of the full swing which is important to develop good tempo for your full swing. Use several different clubs to chip with and change the distance you chip frequently. Chipping helps you to get the club on the correct path to the ball and achieve center contact on the clubface. This is one of the single, more important goals you should work on during your chipping practice.
NOT FOUND: better practicing2.jpgThird, practice your pitching again using primarily the pitching and sand wedge. The pitch shot is the half way point in your backswing. Just keep in mind when chipping and pitching, there is no need to speed up the club when you start the forward swing. This is important especially when pitching since your swing is starting to get longer and there is the "hit' impulse that can result in less desirable shots. Again, work on center contact and monitor your grip pressure.
During your chipping and pitching practice, just use five to ten balls and try to cluster them around the hole. Once you have done this a few times, take just ONE ball and do the up and down drill. This is where you chip or pitch the ball onto the green and then putt it in the hole, just like you would if you were playing. Don't leave the putting green for the "driving" range until you have accomplished getting the ball up and down in the hole five times.
Now you can venture over to the "driving" range. Once you get to the range, pull out your pitching or sand wedge and practice shots from 25 to 50 yards, again with the focus on center contact and direction. I would recommend you purchase some face tape to put on your clubface so you can make sure you are achieving center contact. After ten to fifteen shots, pull out your seven or eight iron and make a slightly longer swing with a distance goal of 75 to 100 yards. After this, you are ready for some full swings. Use a six or seven iron and with each shot, try to step off the mat or out of the address postion each time. Make sure you have a pre-shot routine and follow it with every shot. If you don't have one, come up with one or consult a golf professional to help you come up with one. Only make five or six swings with the six or seven and monitor you center contact. If you are making center contact, go ahead and make some swings with a five iron or hybrid. Ideally, try using your pre-shot routine for each shot, but don't go more than three shots without using it, especially when you start practicing with the longer clubs.
Work your way to the driver, but only committ to making a certain number of swings with it so you doesn't become the sole purpose at the range. Too many swings with it and you will start to wear down and then your swing will start to break down.
Once you are done with the driver, make sure you leave yourself 10 or 12 balls to tone your swing back down with a wedge or nine iron. Use this time as your cooling off period just like you would after a good run or exercise routine.
You will soon discover that following this regimen of short game practice first, then the "driving" range will give you better results. This is difficult to do but just like anything else, you have to create new and better habits not only for your golf game but also for your lifestyle.