It’s summer, which means golf season is in full swing (no pun intended). As a former professional golfer who still competes a bit on the amateur circuit, I thought I’d offer my tips on how to practice to improve your golf game…
1. ALWAYS practice with a purpose
I can’t tell you how many times I see golfers at the driving range swinging away, with no real purpose or target. Every single golf ball you hit should be aimed at something. It could be a flag, a green, or just a tree in the distance, but you should always be aiming at something during your practice sessions.
Along those same lines, it helps to put a club or alignment stick at your feet to ensure that your aim is spot on. I have a tendency to aim right of my target, so this really helps me. You should always have a target, and you should always make sure you are properly aimed at that target.
2. 3/4 of your practice time should be with a wedge and putter
I fight the same problems you do. Namely, not enough time to play and practice. So when I do get the time to practice, I want to ensure that I’m getting the most out of my practice sessions.
I tell people that for every hour you spend practicing, 40 of those minutes should involve short game or putting. It might be hitting 3/4 wedge shots to a target on the range, or chipping and bunker play, or putting practice, but most of your practice time should involve having a wedge or putter in your hands. It’s the fastest way to improve.
3. 95% of the practice putts you hit should be within 10 feet of the hole
This is another thing that drives me nuts. On the rare occasion when most people actually practice their putting, I see them 30 or more feet from the hole. Why spend your time practicing putts that don’t really matter?
95% of the putts I hit in practice are within 10 feet of the hole, and 80% of the putts I hit in practice are within 6 feet of the hole. Why? Because I like seeing the ball go into the hole, and I want to stand over those putts with rock solid confidence. The putts inside 6 feet are the ones that really matter.
4. Lastly, don’t forsake the value of practicing versus playing
This is especially difficult if you’re a member of a private club and you’re trying to get your money’s worth, or you have friends that play in a regular game on the weekends. Time on the course is fun and important (after all, golf is played on the course and not the driving range) but you have to find balance between the two.
When you’re on the golf course, you’re thinking about score. You’re trying to get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible. That’s why the golf course is a terrible place to work on your game. For every round of golf you play, you should make sure you spend another day at the range, putting and chipping green. That’s where you’ll be able to work on your swing, your short game, and your putting.
So, if you play golf on Saturdays, try to get out one night a week after work to practice. It doesn’t need to be for more than an hour, but that efficient one hour practice session each week will go a long way towards better rounds on the course.
Hopefully these tips help you to practice and score better. Enjoy the game!