| I've been playing golf for over 40 years, and I've | | | | for us. Consider this, for example: |
| logged a lot of time on the practice range. My | | | | Let's begin by concentrating on our grip. The way we |
| experience tells me that there are two types of | | | | position our hands on the club will influence the results |
| golfers practicing at the range. Those that hit balls, | | | | of every shot we hit. So, let's hit the first part of our |
| and sometimes it's lots and lots of balls. And, those | | | | bucket of balls focusing only on our grip. |
| that are working on building or re-building their swing. | | | | Next, let's concentrate on our set-up, the part of the |
| Which category do you fit into? | | | | swing that many teaching professionals believe is the |
| Hopefully, you're in the group that's working on their | | | | most important factor in determining our score. Let's |
| swing. If you are practicing solid, mechanics-based | | | | make sure that our feet, knees, hips, and shoulders |
| fundamentals, then this work will translate to the golf | | | | are directed down the target line, and that our |
| course. The way you practice determines in great | | | | posture is athletic with a straight back, hinged at the |
| part the way you will perform when you play. | | | | hips. We should hit quite a few balls making sure our |
| If you observe professional golfers at a tournament, | | | | set-up is correct before each swing. |
| you'll notice that they have a consistent routine they | | | | We could proceed to work on our backswing, |
| go through on the range. They may start with their | | | | downswing, and head position, remembering that it's |
| most lofted wedge and hit several short pitch shots. | | | | not the quantity of practice balls that we hit, it's the |
| Then they progress to a less lofted iron and hit | | | | quality of the swings that we take. |
| longer shots. This progression continues until they are | | | | So, when you head to the range, develop your own |
| hitting their driver. Different players have different | | | | practice routine and stick with it. By strategically |
| routines, but there is a definite pattern and method | | | | working on solid, mechanics-based fundamentals you |
| to the way they go about hitting practice balls. | | | | will be able to build a reliable, consistent, repeatable |
| If the best players in the world have a consistent | | | | golf swing. Don't just hit a bucket of balls....build a |
| routine that they go through on the range, then we | | | | better golf swing. |
| should absolutely develop a methodology that works | | | | |