[Yartonbler]

Sloppy Practice Habits Make Sloppy Play On The Course

1. Make it a competition

2. Set goals (Skill test) for example 6 out of 10 balls on the green from the bunker. 8 to 10 drives between two targets of fairway width.

3. Vary the lie of the ball. Do not just put the ball on a nice lie as this will not happen always on the course.

4. Picture and visualization must be done in pre-shot routine.

5. Always practice to a target. Never hit a ball/s haphazardly.

6. Keep a log or record book of practice as this provides a means for expressing, understanding, and remembering what was learned in the practice session. This can also capture useful ideas, feelings, insights and adjustments.

Full Swing

Woods and Irons

1.Full swing technique work (refer to No.'s 4 and 5)
2.All strokes must have a pre-shot routine

Check the following;

Ball position
Posture
Alignment A to E must never be taken for granted
Grip
Stance
Pivot
Swing drills - Practice all allocated swing drills that are necessary at the time of practice session (Develop Feel)
Go through the proper motions of the golf stroke. Know precisely where you must be at all times.

IRONS _ Vary club selection between irons eg. 3 iron to 9 iron (Vary the lie of the ball. Do not always practice off good lies.

WOODS _ Vary club selection between driver and fairway woods.
Play drives between two markers for skill test. (Width of fairway. This can be done with all clubs).
Vary the direction of the target you are playing to.



Times Not To Practice

1. When tired. This promotes more chance of error, which leads to poorly hit shots, and loss of confidence.

2. Do not practice if you feel as though you are losing interest. This is the time that bad habits can start to creep in.

3. Stop practicing if things are going poorly and you feel that progress isn’t being made. Remember that tomorrow is another day.

4. Bad weather conditions may cause a player to alter their swing.



In practicing the chipping stroke we will divide this area evenly into two areas;

50% TECHNIQUE


Improves chipping technique and impact position for all strokes.

50% FEEL DEVELOPMENT
How far back and through.
The pace of the stroke for the given length.
Vary targets – 10 feet, 15 feet,20 feet and 30 feet.
When possible vary between uphill, downhill, side hill.
Vary club selection example – 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Wedge.


Pitching Stroke

50% Technique

Improves pitching stroke and the correct release motions for all full swings.
50% Feel Development
How far back and through.?
The pace of the stroke for the given length.
Vary Targets – 10yrds, 20yrds, 30yrds, 50yrds, and 75yrds.
Vary target directions.
Vary the lie of the ball.
Vary ball trajectory.
Low – Punch shot - Length stroke, ball position, club selection, amount follow through.

Medium - Length stroke, ball position, open stance. club selection, amount follow through.

High – Lob Shot –open stance, open clubface, Long soft long stroke.





If you have a range that allows this

Bunker Stroke

50% Technique
similar to Lob shot.

50% Feel Development
How far back and through.
The pace of the stroke for the given length.

Skills Test

Set Goals - for example, 6 out of 10 balls on the green from the bunker.
Vary length of target.
Vary target directions.
Vary the lie of the ball.

Fairway Bunker Shot

Vary length of the shot.
Vary the lie of the ball.
Vary the club selection. Example – 3iron to 9 iron and fairway woods.

Putting Practice Program

Short Putts

6 Balls around the hole and make all 6 putts to develop pressure skills

Long Putts

6 Balls into a one (1) yard radius from 15feet, 25feet and 30 feet.

Vary your putts between uphill, downhill etc



These are my notes and things I have learn by being taught by many different Instructors over my golfing career

It's is a routine I would follow religiously.Of course we must have the time to commit to all of this.If we don't, develop a routine that works for your time allowance.If you don't have a ton of time to practice this way every time out,Vary your routine to get all aspects of the game to be practiced each and every week
You will find your routine and see improvements.Don't expect results right away.