Rather than focusing solely on technical aspects, aim to balance your practice sessions with game-like scenarios. Spend no more than half of your full swings on refining mechanics. Use the other half of your practice time to improve your target awareness and decision-making.
2. Slow motion pause drill
2. Slow-motion pause drill
• Set up with a mirror on your trail side and a wall behind you.
• Begin a slow-motion backswing while watching the club in the mirror.
• Pause when the shaft is parallel to the ground, positioning the clubhead in line with your hands.
• Continue to the top of the backswing, where your hands and club lightly touch or get close to the wall. A complete turn will help with an easier transition into the downswing.
• Work on improving mobility in your hips and thoracic spine if needed, as flexibility is crucial for consistently producing a safe and effective swing.
• Use the wall as a reference in the transition into your downswing to keep the club on plane. When the shaft returns parallel to the ground on the downswing, having the clubhead back in line with your hands is an ideal position.
By focusing on these two drills, you can improve your swing mechanics and prepare yourself for more effective range sessions.
PRACTICE LIKE YOU PLAY Improvement in golf takes time, patience and consistency. It’ s essential to create a clear plan for practice sessions and approach your training as if you’ re playing a round of golf. Here’ s how to practice like you play:
• Dedicate 10-15 minutes to putting and 10-15 minutes to short game. These aspects of your game will make up for at least 50 % of your score.
• Spend the remainder of your practice session hitting 40-60 range balls with focused attention.
Efficient use of practice time is crucial. Rather than focusing solely on technical aspects, aim to balance your practice sessions with game-like scenarios. Spend no more than half of your full swings on refining mechanics. Use the other half of your practice time to improve your target awareness and decision-making.
By taking this approach you’ re not just improving technically, but also mentally preparing yourself for on-course play.
EMBRACE IMPERFECTION AND ADAPT A key aspect of golf is learning to embrace imperfection. No practice session or round will be perfect and adversity is inevitable. How you respond to challenges is what differentiates the best players from the rest. Practice your ability to adapt, improvise and deal with the consequences of each shot. Take the time to review shots rather than immediately jumping into the next ball. This mental resilience will serve you well both in practice and in your next round on the course. vsga. org M AY / J UNE 2025 | V IRGINIA G OLFER
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