LEFT : Use an alignment rod to reinforce fundamentals of your swing , including alignment and swing plane . RIGHT : Turn your putting practice into a game and keep score .
IV . HOW TO SIMULATE GAME PRESSURE IN PRACTICE How often do you feel real “ game ” pressure on the range or the practice green ? Even if you adopt everything discussed to this point , if you never practice under game pressure , the transferability to the course may be limited . I regularly have my students feel pressure during lessons to see how they perform , and in most cases , the results decline .
Here are some examples of pressure practice :
1 . Irons / Wedges Aim at a specific target on the driving range and choose an acceptable proximity box , such as 20 feet on each side . Then set a goal out of 10 shots , such as 7 / 10 . If you fail to reach your mark , you have to do something you dread , such as running laps for kids or a household chore for adults . Feel free to reward yourself if you pass !
2 . Driver Repeat the same task above but instead of hitting a target , you will create an imaginary fairway on the driving range and set a goal out of 10 shots .
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2 . Measure up-and-down percentage with various chip shots , combines short game and putting – 30 minutes .
90-Minute Practice 1 . Hit a large bucket , 100 + balls / Cover three range topics –
60 minutes . 2 . Measure a few carry distances with chip shots – 15 minutes . 3 . Find average proximity to the hole on lag putts – 15 minutes .
Use these short practice hacks as a more productive way to spend your limited time , rather than just pounding through range balls at rapid fire . Spending 75 % of your time on the practice green may not be realistic , but spending some time there is valuable .
3 . Short Game Play 18 holes around the practice green , with each up-and-down opportunity being for par , and set a score goal such as + 6 . Again , feel free to reward yourself if you pass .
4 . Putting Choose 18 random par putts from inside five feet and set a score goal , such as + 3 . Alternatively , you could choose 18 lag putts for birdie and set a score goal , such as even par .
These challenges keep practice interesting and are more transferrable to the course than brainlessly whacking golf balls . If you happen to fail , at least some of those household chores may finally get accomplished .
Apple is a senior staff instructor at Raspberry Golf Academy .
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