A Few Keys to a Better Golf Practice Routine
If you expect your game of golf to improve, you have to understand there is only one real way to do this – you must practice, practice, practice. The best golf practice routine is one that achieves the most in the shortest time possible, and is also enjoyable.
There is no other way to perfect the skill, period!
But you don’t want it to be a chore either. That’s why it’s important to have some fun with it, and practice when you are NOT tired.
Make a “game” of it!
Pick targets. Change clubs. Mix it up.
Remember
Unless you are naturally gifted at something, practice and repetition is your only path to improvement. This goes for anything you are trying to learn. With that being said, there are some pointers and methods you can use to make the most of your golf practice sessions.
If you play any type of sport, whether it’s tennis, softball or any other activity that involves a ball, there is just no greater feeling than a solid, well hit ball – it feels soooo good! … and you absolutely know you’ve hit it correctly.
One of the best times to practice believe it or not, is right after a round of golf when you clearly remember your “goofs” and can practice on that correction. If you don’t know what to do to fix your problem get some advice from a better golfer or a professional, but if you know what to practice on that’s a good time if you’ve still got the energy.
And remember, practice consistently especially on your trouble shots! If you don’t make that part of your practice routine you will not make the progress you’re seeking.
LPGA Learning Center – Practice Golf to Improve at Golf – Pia Nilsson
Maximizing Your Practice Time and Efficiency
Try to recreate real situations that gave you trouble while out on the course, and practice them. Try hitting the ball from every and all kinds of bad lies and positions that come to mind. And of course, if you haven’t played golf for a long time you will find you need more practice to get back into rhythm.
Visualization
Many golfers find visualization very helpful. Imagine yourself executing the swing to perfection, from backswing to follow-thru and hitting a perfect shot each time with ease. This actually does help in setting-up and reinforcing the proper “muscle memory” so important to a successful swing.
Tips For The Driving Range
The “Practice Manual” by Adam Young has been a very popular book on the subject if you wish to read further.
When engaged in a practice session and you’re hitting a lot of balls, I would say 20 to 30 well hit and successful swings should be adequate if you’re doing this after a round of golf. If it’s a “practice only” day I would hit more golf balls. Take some breaks between swings to give yourself a chance to analyze what you’re doing, and also minimize any potential exhaustion. Your goal is to try to perfect your swing and tiredness won’t help.
There are all kinds of different ways people practice on the driving range, but most just grab a bucket of balls and hit without much thought. That’s not the best.
Some will practice as if they were on the golf course playing a round of golf. In other words, “tee to green”. Starting with a driver then proceed to a fairway club, short iron etc. This is not my personal favorite, although I will try it now and again.
I would rather separate my golf balls into different groups and practice with different clubs for each group. Try performing different types of shots too. If your local course has an area to practice real bunker & chip shots, do it. That’s practicing from a somewhat authentic lie indeed, and can include putting!
General Guidelines
Start with one of your favorite clubs
… one you already feel confident with – usually something like the 7 iron. It’s a great club to start with since most people can hit it fairly well, and will build confidence as you proceed.
Then move on.
Take practice swings before hitting the ball, and progress from partial to full swings. When you hit a great shot, internalize that feeling.
This is also good as a “warm up” exercise if you choose only practice on that particular day.
Proper grip and hand position, body alignment, impact and follow-thru all influence how well you swing – that’s a lot to remember! So when you do hit that perfect shot, remember that feeling and try to duplicate it.
However you decide to practice, I wouldn’t hit a golf club more than 10 times in a row without changing clubs.
What to do If You Can’t get to the Driving Range
If you absolutely cannot get out to the practice range for one reason or another, it’s still crucial that you keep your swing in tune and golf muscles in shape as much as possible. Remember the saying “Move It or Lose It”? Well, that goes for golf too! Don’t become “rusty” just because you can’t get to the range.
Here’s what I do at home – I use a couple of simple and inexpensive training aids to help me out.
- The Weighted Donut
I’ve been using one of these Swing Rings for decades, and it’s still one of my favorites for keeping my golf muscles conditioned. - A Swing Trainer
I like the SKLZ or the Orange Whip. Not only weighted, but flexes as well. - Practice Balls
… if the size of your yard permits. Been using practice balls since “Hector was a Pup”, and there are all kinds to choose from depending on your situation. You can see what I mean here. I’m finding that foam balls fly a bit more true than the whiffle balls that are hugely influenced by wind and bad shots. It’s a personal thing for sure.
You will find those 3 things mentioned above cost very little, with the swing trainers being more of course, but definitely worth it in my opinion.
Practice with these as much as you can to keep in the swing of things, no pun intended – hahaha. You will be likely to have a much better game of golf the next time you head onto the course if you at least do these couple of things. If your space permits you could also practice short chip shots in your backyard, using a bucket as a target – I do that as well since my yard size permits. My cats enjoy watching!
Follow these general guidelines and you will be well on your way to fruitful practice sessions. When it comes to solving and correcting specific problems though, very specific lessons will help greatly, and we will get into those in subsequent posts.
GolfDigest has a few visual tips to keep in mind as well as you play and practice. 10 Power Tips for Women
Now, Get Out There!
Keep these pointers in mind, and you’ll have the best golf practice routine that fits YOU to a tee!
Hello there Joanne
I just took a look over this post and found it to be very informative with great advice and guidelines. I especially found your tip regarding splitting the golf balls into sections and practising with different clubs.
I have to admit I usually bring just one club, and my last visit to a driving range was me just hitting with the driver and nothing else. Wish I’d seen this post as practicing with different clubs on the range makes a lot more sense.
Thanks Joanne – please keep the good info coming !!
Joanne,
You have a great golf site, with great, clear information.
Your articles are terriffic. I have a golf site too (for senior men) but your site makes me realize that I need to get busy.I signed up for your newsletter!
And I can certainly use more tips for range practice.
Thanks so much – from “a fan”
successforseniorgolfers.com
Great job,
Jim
Thanks Jim
Really nice to hear!
I love the fact that you have a site for seniors. Golf is a lifetime sport, so it’s important we remember all ages and encourage play and support for everyone.
Thank you so much.
I don’t play as much golf now as I’d like, but your suggestions work well with any sport. If you don’t practice, you don’t get better.
I never once thought about practicing right after playing though….I wonder why because that really is a great idea. You remember what you need to work on MUCH more.
Being able to practice your sport at home definitely helps. I used to play a lot of tennis too, and would do that by hitting the tennis ball against the garage, for hours. I don’t think the neighbors loved it but it worked!
And for golf, a group of wiffle balls hit over the house worked wonders.
This is great information, thank you!
You are so welcomed!
That’s funny how you use to practice when you were young – I used to do the exact same thing! … only hit a window once, and fortunately broke nothing – miracle!
Practicing right after a round of golf is really very effective, and a nice way to end a day of golfing. Also helps keep your mind focused on areas that might need a little extra attention.
These are some great tips you shared, thank you!
I especially liked your suggestion to go training after a round of golf. When you think about it, it actually makes a lot of sense. Your body is still warmed up from playing and mistakes still fresh in my mind.
I am a beginner to golfer, but as a ‘veteran’ tennis player I definitely agree with you on your comment about muscle memory. This indeed is very important.
I will give your golf tips a try for sure!
Hey Rik!
Thanks for stopping by, and sorry for taking a while to get back to you.
I believe it’s not only a good idea from a practical “practice” perspective, but also can benefit your physical well being to “warm-down” even with what most people perceive to be a relatively easy sport “on the body”.
I loved your site even though I am a man-golfer. The good thing is that my wife, Kim is an avid golfer and she is very good at it. Better than me I might say, but I have a shoulder injury (excuses). At least that is what I tell people when my wife often beats me. I am referring her to your site. What I like most is your videos. Very helpful for a woman to make some tweaks that your video offers. Do you have any plans to add a section for man-golfers:) I guess that would defeat the purpose of your site, right. No kidding it is informative site and I will refer it to my wife and her friends.
Thanks so much Matt – appreciated!
We may be branching out with a new and more encompassing golf site, but that won’t be for a while yet (sorry, you’ll have to wait).
I’ve had 2 shoulder operations myself, so “I feel your pain” – hahaha. Remember, we do it because we love the game, right?
Hello, as a high school softball coach, I can relate very much with this article. Practicing is the only way that an individual will get better. I really like the information you give if you aren’t able to make a driving range and that there are different inexpensive training aides that can be used right at your house. I recently went to the PGA championship at Baltusrol in New Jersey as it is a few minutes from my house. Just watching professionals live gave me an appreciation of just how good the players really are. Very informative article and best of luck to you. Keep practicing.
Hey Rob!
… thanks for stopping by.
Boy do I envy you going to the PGA championship at Baltusrol – I watched it on TV, but there is just nothing like watching the professionals live!
I think sometimes people make practicing harder than it needs to be, and they try to fix too many things at one time – that will result in frustration! Simple practice time on a regular basis, and concentrating on one thing at a time does wonders and can be a lot of fun on its own – it’s all a frame of mind. Stay focused.