Simulate an entire round when you practice
By SwingFix.com staff
It can be hard for anyone to find the time they’d like to work on their golf game, but taking advantage of those rare practice opportunities is crucial when it comes to improving.
Unfortunately, too many golfers when they finally get the chance to spend some quality time on the driving range end up just “beating balls” with no purpose.
One great way to practice more effectively is to simulate an actual round of golf when you’re hitting balls.
Put aside roughly 35-40 balls and after you’ve properly warmed up pretend that you’re going to play, from tee-to-green, all 18 holes on your home course or a course you play quite often or maybe even a course on which you’ll compete in a tournament in the weeks ahead.
Start by pretending you’re on the first tee of the golf course you’re going to simulate. Pick the club you would typically use for that shot, establish a fairway visually, go through your pre-shot routine and fire away.
From there, based on the tee shot you hit, estimate the next shot you would face from a yardage standpoint -- be it an approach shot to the green or a lay-up on a par-5 -- and repeat the process. Then continue this routine for what would amount to a complete round.
This approach to practicing can be beneficial for a myriad of reasons.
First, you’ll be incorporating crucial factors to successful golf into your practice routine, most notably attention to alignment, your pre-shot routine and the mindset to properly execute a golf shot.
Additionally, you’re going to hit most all of the clubs in your bag and take your time as you work through those last 35-40 balls without getting bored, which is important when it comes to practicing.
And finally, you’ll get immediate feedback about the shots that are giving you the most trouble, be it your short irons, your mid-irons or your driver, and you’ll know what to work on before you call it a day or when you next get a chance to practice.
Anyway, try this approach and you’re likely to practice more effectively and efficiently, and as a result play better golf.