| Most golfers, regardless of their ability level, are guilty | | | | When you finally get to the range, your mind is no |
| of wasting their practice time. How many times have | | | | doubt full of energy and excitement as you prepare to |
| you been at a driving range and witnessed stall after | | | | apply your new thoughts. That is good. But, remember |
| stall filled with tired looking golfers endlessly beating | | | | that it is quality golf practice, not quantity, which counts. |
| balls. Most have selected the large bucket and think | | | | Get the small bucket and take your time. Rest |
| only of launching all those little pellets with the big stick. | | | | between shots. Resolve in your mind to think about |
| Most of these people would have been better off if | | | | what you are working on before each shot. Apply one |
| they had just stayed home and mowed the lawn. | | | | swing thought before each practice shot. Too many |
| Why? They are practicing without a purpose. | | | | thoughts will result in "paralysis of analysis". After each |
| PLAN YOUR GOLF PRACTICE | | | | shot, reflect on not only the result, but how the swing |
| The first step in improving your golf is learning more | | | | felt. What did you do wrong? What did you do right? |
| about the swing. If you do not want to take lessons, | | | | PRACTICE WITH A FRIEND |
| there is a wealth of information available in books, | | | | You can triple the effectiveness of your golf practice if |
| magazines and on the web. Find some information | | | | you bring a friend with you. Buy one large bucket and |
| related to a part of your game you are struggling with. | | | | share a stall. Take turns hitting a few shots each. Tell |
| You'll likely find many articles related to any and every | | | | your friend what you are working on and ask him to |
| golf sin you could possibly commit. Focus on the cause | | | | describe how it looks. Watch one another from the |
| and effect. Try to understand not only what you need | | | | side and behind to get different angles. Ask your |
| to do to improve, but the causes of your problem. | | | | partner to focus on different elements of the swing: |
| There are likely to be multiple possible causes and | | | | the grip, setup, plane, top of back swing, lower body |
| solutions. | | | | position, shoulder turn, etc. |
| HIT THE DRIVING RANGE? NOT YET | | | | IMPROVEMENT TAKES TIME |
| Instead of running to hit that next large bucket, take | | | | Remember to keep focused on improving your |
| those golf tips you learned and apply them in front of a | | | | weaknesses. It makes little sense to spend 75% of |
| full-length mirror. This is especially effective if you are | | | | your golf practice time working on your strong points. |
| working on your stance or setup. You can easily | | | | Don't get impatient. Realize that improvement takes |
| compare your body position with those of the pros in | | | | time! Nobody goes from a twenty-handicap down to a |
| the magazines. Take your backswing in slow motion, | | | | single-digit overnight. However, if you apply these tips, |
| stopping at various points to again compare your | | | | you'll be building your knowledge of the game as you |
| position with the pro. This exercise will help you picture | | | | practice. This can only help improve your game in the |
| and feel a good golf swing. | | | | long run. |
| SMALL BUCKET PLEASE | | | | |