Golf Practice Tips

One simple question: is your practice making you a better player?

If not, chances are your game has stagnated and your scores are not improving. Statistics over the last 25 years tell us that golfers as a whole do not lower their handicaps enough to nearly approach their true potential. This is largely due to how people practice (if they do practice at all).

Have you heard of the cricketer Sir Donald Bradman? To this date he still holds a majority of the records in his sport and has the highest cricket average ever at an amazing 99.94% What was his secret?

Quite simply, he made a portion of his practice much more difficult than the real game. Instead of practicing with a standard size cricket ball he would practice batting by bouncing a golf ball against a wall, thus making his practice more difficult than the real game. Not only was he able to build confidence knowing that he could hit a golf ball but he also built his skill level tremendously and had a huge advantage in game situations.

Ernie Els has been known to practice with persimmon woods which as we know are not nearly as forgiving as today’s metal woods, thus when he switched back to his standard set making solid contact was not so difficult. Earl Woods would train Tiger to practice while he yelled, made movements or jiggled his keys to build Tiger’s concentration. Can you imagine how much easier it was for him to focus in tournament situations?

When you make a portion (not your entire session) of your practice more difficult not only do your train your swing mechanics but also your mind. If you have trouble “taking it to the course” give this idea a try for two weeks and make a portion of your practice a little more difficult than the real thing. When you start shooting lower scores chalk it up to the “Bradman Effect”!

AGI: play better golf.