As someone who has played at the professional level, I notice many things that higher handicap players do on the range that limit the effectiveness of their practice sessions compared to more experienced players.
Higher Handicap Players:
- Grab a club, aim for nothing, and swing as hard as you can.
Scratch Players:
- Pick a target out for each shot. Make sure each shot has a specific purpose.
Why?
When we play a round of golf, we are always trying to get our golf ball to a target (could be a flagstick if we are close to a green, could be a tree that is on the far side side of the fairway. Learn to make this process part of your practice session. Each shot should have a starting point and ending point. Learn to pick a target and finish every swing to it!
Higher Handicap Players:
- Pour all the balls out and fire them off rapidly.
Scratch Players:
- Hit one ball at a time. Take a practice swing or two between each shot, feeling whatever swing thought they are working on. Practice stepping into their stance and alignment.
Why?
One of the hardest things in golf when you are newer is learning to set up correctly and consistently. Learn to develop a pre-shot routine that includes a practice swing and visualizing your shot. Make sure you practice stepping into the ball and aiming correctly. Learning to set up correctly can help us avoid swing flaws that are alignment related!
Higher Handicap Players:
- Use one or two clubs throughout the session. No variety to their target selection.
Scratch Players:
- Pick new targets throughout the session. Change clubs up. Imagine playing a round of golf – use imagination to see a golf hole and play it out on the range.
Why?
One of the final things most good players do on the range is “playing” a course on the range. They will picture holes on the course and tee off with a driver, trying to hit it into a “fairway” that we pick out on the range. Next shot switch to a mid-iron and hit the next onto the “green” we picked out. Try to play the first few holes of the course you know well and see how you do!
All these tips revolve around a theme of target selection, shot selection, and learning to trust our process. Learn to become more target orientated on the range and it will help you out when you need it on the course. If you'd like to learn more about proper practice technique, schedule your private or semi-private lesson today!
See you on the range!
