Practice?

[Matt Taylor]

How do you practice? Let's say you're not working on anything specific in your swing and that you're content with your move at the ball. How do you stay sharp?

I've never been a fan of beating ball after ball trying to groove something because I don't necessarily believe something can be grooved. Plus, it's very hard to stay focused hitting 180 balls one after the other. Moreover, it's hard to keep your mind in an "on the course" mode while doing this.

I find that playing games on the range is good way to practice -- like alternating shots with someone, competing to see who can hit it to a target. But how do practice when you're alone and you're specifically trying to improve but not specifically working on changing anything in your swing?

How do the tour guys practice when they're not working on something?

Is there a method? Is it mostly short game work?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[EdZ]

I like to 'play a round' at the range

hit a tee shot, imagine the result on a local course, hit the next shot I would have, etc

I also like to 'step' my shots - hit first a wedge, then an 8 iron to 50, 60, 70 etc - my local range has markers every ten yards - great way to dial in distance control

alternate targets and go through your routine on every shot

 

[pixie]

Don't forget to buy a round of beers if you happen to make a hole-in-one, at the range.
Apparently some "great minds" consider it be a "real" hole-in-one.

 

[EdZ]

gee pixie, why such an asshole today?

I would think you (and others on this board) might just show me some respect by now, obviously not in your case.

You know as well as I how solid my drills are in showing TGM concepts, but I guess that just pisses you off, now doesn't it.

 

[Triad]

quote:Originally posted by Matt Taylor

How do you practice? Let's say you're not working on anything specific in your swing and that you're content with your move at the ball. How do you stay sharp?

I've never been a fan of beating ball after ball trying to groove something because I don't necessarily believe something can be grooved. Plus, it's very hard to stay focused hitting 180 balls one after the other. Moreover, it's hard to keep your mind in an "on the course" mode while doing this.

I find that playing games on the range is good way to practice -- like alternating shots with someone, competing to see who can hit it to a target. But how do practice when you're alone and you're specifically trying to improve but not specifically working on changing anything in your swing?

How do the tour guys practice when they're not working on something?

Is there a method? Is it mostly short game work?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

I do basicaly the same things that your and Edz do. Alternate targets, play an imaginary round etc.. But my basic philosophy is that, when I am working on my swing I am totaly Motion oriented, when I am trying to sharpen my skills I get very Target oriented.

I try to challenge myself with little games: 'Can I hit that 100 Yard sign with my 4 Iron...my 6 iron, my 9 iron, my driver?

Then, on those rare occasions that I feel fully in control of my swing, I try to work on shot shaping. Can I hit that 150 yard sign with a big sweeping right to left shot, a high cut shot, a low runner?

Sometimes I will really exaggerate it. Can I hit a really exaggerated, intended hook or slice and still hit the sign? Comes in handy when you are blocked by a tree.

STL,
Triad

 

[Ringer]

Play a round in your mind on the practice tee.. See how many times you can alternate between a draw and a cut shot.. see how many times you can hit a shot 5 yards left of the target, then 5 yards right of the target... Try hitting the ball at different trajectories for getting out of trouble (I've become a master of hitting 9 Irons straight up in the air and 150 yards).. practice low worm burner hooks.. try hitting shank (harder to do than one may think) believe it or not it's a useful shot at times... Work on the four basic ball flights low/high draw, low/high fade.. See how far you can make each shot turn... just be creative. Tinker around and see what does what. Experiment with your setup, experiment with your grip, experiment with ball placement... experiment experiment experiment..

 

[mb6606]

Watching the guys on the PGA tour range this week they definitely constantly alternate targets.
Thanks for the ideas Ringer.
I play driver games with my kids. Using the driver Hit the 100 yd green in the air, then the 150, then the 200.

 

[Matt Taylor]

I guess that's the whole thing -- I find it really hard to stay target oriented while on the range with a pile of balls in front of me. It's hard to keep from getting into a rut.

 

[hue]

I go to the course in the evening with my friends dog and play real shots in real conditions. If i don't like the results I keep working until I have got the shot down. Playing simulated rounds at the golf range just does not do it for me.

 

[EdZ]

Certainly best to practice on the course, if you have the fortune to do so.

 

[rwh]

I don't get to practice (or play) very much. My practice routine is to (1) chip from all different lies for 20 minutes; (2) hit 25 balls with wedges only, new target every time (40 - 100 yards); (3) hit 2 balls with the three wood and 3 balls with the driver; (4) putt for 20 minutes.

 

[Powerdraw]

quote:Originally posted by EdZ

Certainly best to practice on the course, if you have the fortune to do so.

hhhmmm...you sure bout that Ed?, its hard enough out there on the course! lol! i have plenty of time doing that, and i used too, but i have found that on course, unless waiting around too hit my next shot too keep sharp or maybe flop or chip a few, it is better to leave the scientist on the range and keep the player, the scorer, on the course.

 

[EdZ]

There is absolutely a time for both, yes - but I'd rather go to an open hole, drop 3 shots at 10-120 yards randomly, and finish each one out. In response to the original question at least.

 

[njmp2]

Practice? With so much to post? [}][][)][B)][:0]
Besides, the lower the Ghinn the more money I lose. [)][B)]

 

[Powerdraw]

quote:Originally posted by EdZ

There is absolutely a time for both, yes - but I'd rather go to an open hole, drop 3 shots at 10-120 yards randomly, and finish each one out. In response to the original question at least.

...but you get too actually PLAY them out with different grass, slopes and such....sounds like play-score time to me...as with imaginary off the artificial deck, you shoot out sh*t at ranges, you must imagine every shot or else you get suckered into "board reads 70 yards to this tag on a 150 yard wide practice range" kinda mode...its not real...its not believable for the noodle. there is no OB or pond or trap in the 150 yard wide par 3,4 or 5...it is smarts golf as well as fine tune golf...sometimes that pull fade is just what the doctor ordered and needed for this hole..cause OB is close and you need a "long enough safe enough" shot to get you there to make that next shot. agreed?

 

[ryantiff]

I wish I have the luxury as you guys to practice like that. I am practicing 1.5 hours, 5 times a week on the range. So far I cover the right forearm takeaway, tracing plane line, flat left wrist.. and is now working on sequenced release, uncocking and roll - the feel and control. I think for beginner like me I have no choice, but it is very helpful.

 

[Mathew]

70 - 80 percent of your practice can be done in your armchair... getting a concept - knowing EXACTLY what your doing... if you don't know then you haven't studied enough... Your swing is a testing ground and reinforcement....

 

[pixie]

quote:Originally posted by EdZ

gee pixie, why such an asshole today?

I would think you (and others on this board) might just show me some respect by now, obviously not in your case.

You know as well as I how solid my drills are in showing TGM concepts, but I guess that just pisses you off, now doesn't it.

Edz,
Nothing pisses me off.
It was just a joke. But, I believe that just like everybody, including David Alford and Brian Manzella, you have a right to be treated with respect. So I'm sorry about my inappropriate attempt at humor.

 

[EdZ]

quote:Originally posted by Powerdraw

quote:Originally posted by EdZ

There is absolutely a time for both, yes - but I'd rather go to an open hole, drop 3 shots at 10-120 yards randomly, and finish each one out. In response to the original question at least.

...but you get too actually PLAY them out with different grass, slopes and such....sounds like play-score time to me...as with imaginary off the artificial deck, you shoot out sh*t at ranges, you must imagine every shot or else you get suckered into "board reads 70 yards to this tag on a 150 yard wide practice range" kinda mode...its not real...its not believable for the noodle. there is no OB or pond or trap in the 150 yard wide par 3,4 or 5...it is smarts golf as well as fine tune golf...sometimes that pull fade is just what the doctor ordered and needed for this hole..cause OB is close and you need a "long enough safe enough" shot to get you there to make that next shot. agreed?

Not sure what exactly you meant with this? Practice 'to stay sharp' on the course is useful IMO because you can be 'creative' and try out shots in a more 'real' setting that you may not be ready to try in a round yet. A way to move them from the range to the course if you will. Understood about the 'noodle', however the power if images is a useful training aid. When you can see the shot, and not everything else, it doesn't really matter where you are right?

 

[EdZ]

quote:Originally posted by pixie

quote:Originally posted by EdZ

gee pixie, why such an asshole today?

I would think you (and others on this board) might just show me some respect by now, obviously not in your case.

You know as well as I how solid my drills are in showing TGM concepts, but I guess that just pisses you off, now doesn't it.

Edz,
Nothing pisses me off.
It was just a joke. But, I believe that just like everybody, including David Alford and Brian Manzella, you have a right to be treated with respect. So I'm sorry about my inappropriate attempt at humor.

no worries pixie, sorry I didn't get your joke in the spirit you intended it, always fun to communicate on the web right... thanks for the reply, I appreciate the clarification