Going to the range and simply hitting balls won’t do much to improve your shot at lower scores. For that to happen players should use their range time to practice how they’ll play on the course.
Working at a club with several professional players in its portfolio has allowed me ample time to watch how they go about preparing. In the past 15 years I’ve watched our Tour pros play golf more than I’ve watched them practice, and isn’t that what the game’s all about?
I’ve spent most of my life on driving ranges. When you go to the range at a Tour event or prior to an important amateur tournament, watch the players warming up. Chances are they’ll be practicing how they plan to play the course and working on shots and with clubs they’ll need during the round. These players are precise in how they go about their business and what they do on the range follows them on the course.
If you watch Phil Mickelson go about his practice routine prior to a tournament round he’s gearing it toward the strategy he plans to implement that day. And, if you think about it, that type of practice mentality occurs in most sports, whether it’s an individual or team game.
If you go to the range to work on your swing, make sure you have a plan. Otherwise, if you’re just trying to figure out something for that day or week you’ll only groove bad habits and not be able to change them when needed. A proper and consistent swing is always preferred to one that gets changed on a whim.
Practice should also include adequate time on your short game since improvement in this area is the fastest way to better scoring. You have to practice and work on your putting all the time to get comfortable with a consistent stroke. There are drills but I stress working on putting the ball as you would in a tournament. Thinking along those lines will make your practice count.
I think everyone needs to look at how to make practice time more beneficial, whether you’re a beginner, decent amateur, professional or an instructor. That requires an analysis of your round to see how you can improve and play better the next time out. The most important part of the game is the space between your ears, because your mind and eyes will tell you what you need to do to improve.
I have students at all levels that don’t have the prettiest swings but they know how to play golf and are consistent. These are the people who typically win tournaments and club championships. My instructors and I also have players with nice-looking swings that don’t do a good job of managing themselves on the course. These are the people who are more hit and miss.
The best advice I can give a golfer – whether just getting started or a regular player – is to analyze how you play, practice the way you want to play and get on the course and let that mantra guide you from hole to hole. You’ll be surprised how natural it starts to feel and how many strokes you’ll cut from your card.
