LETTER FROM THE TEACHING PROFESSIONAL
PRACTICING SHOTS AND SKILLS INSIDE “ THE SCORING ZONE ”
Last month we looked at some shots that are necessary inside the scoring zone to successfully hit a variety of shots . Those shots included a toss shot , ( half in the air half rolling ) lob shot ( high trajectory with not a lot of rolls ), putting with loft ( mostly all roll ) for some examples . Once a skill has been executed on the range or during a practice session it is now time to perfect that skill in order to transfer it to the golf course , and to be confident enough to use it .
I personally love short game practice because there are so many subtleties to it . There are variables like uneven lies , different types of terrain like sand traps and rough , all of which will cause the ball to do certain things when the ball is struck . Being able to transfer the skill it takes to hit the shot is part of the equation , but the other part is how we adapt the skill to different scenarios that we come across during a round of golf .
A great practice idea on the range hit chip and pitch shots to the same target , but you must hit 3 different clubs . The idea has you work on your shot making creativity and is a great drill to control tempo of the swing for different shots . While practicing these shorter shots notices trajectory ’ s the ball travels , and how the tempo of the golf swing and how controls the distance . The fundamentals of distance control and swing and tempo .
One of the best ways I ’ ve found to practice , is to limit the number of shots . When playing a round of golf we have one ball , one swing , and one chance to make a certain shot happen . When practicing I have had a lot of success training players by limiting the number of golf balls , or number of chances to hit the shot can make us focus on hitting a more quality shot , rather than having a bucket of balls next and just hitting shot after shot attempting to improve the results . By simply narrowing your focus to hitting 3 quality shots , in a certain type of manor , in a certain type of lie , can help us transferring that shot to be able to use it on the golf course .
When practicing on the course , a great practice plan is to hit 3 different shots that are inside 75 yards to a certain green . The goal is to be able get all 3 balls up and down in 3 shots or less . Obviously , the ideal scenario is one shot and one putt , but missing the green , and a green side shot , and a putt is perfectly acceptable . This will help your overall scoring by limiting damage by poor shots and help build confidence in ability to get the ball up and down .
So all this all falls in the category of practicing with purpose , which we can say falls under the training but there is a big difference between practicing with purpose , and then learning new skills . There is time and place where hitting a certain amount of shots a certain way is called for to learn a new skill , but being able to take that skill and use it and execute it requires a little bit of training . By simply changing the way we think about practicing , and then putting more emphasis on being creative and in the way we hit certain shots , it will open up a new avenue to take a skill we learn and take it to the course to help us shoot lower scores , which last time I looked was what we all as golfers seek to do , improve and lower scores . Cheers everyone and see you on the course !
ClUB FLEET GOLF CARTS To ensure every member and every guest has a golf cart when they are scheduled to play , players are required to pair up in club golf carts . This will lengthen the life of the club fleet and reduce wear and tear on the course . Thank you for your cooperation .
PRO SHOP AND DRIVING RANGE HOURS The pro shop will open at 6:30am Monday thru Sunday closes at 6pm . The driving range is open on the days that the golf course is open starting at 6:30am , and remain open weather permitting , until ½ hour before dark , except for Sundays when the range will close at 4:30 pm to pick all the balls up so the driving range grass can be cut early the next morning . The pro shop , per the time of the year will determine these hours of closing .
Ben Johnson
PGA , Teaching Professional
FEBRUARY eaglebrooke newsletter 5