The Sand Trap

We’ve all heard the axiom “practice makes perfect,” and so in an effort to improve our swings, we head to the driving range, armed with a jumbo bucket (or two) of range balls. And often we get so engrossed in hitting ball after ball that we lose track of time. But not in the usual sense. Typically, losing track of time means you took too long, but in this case it means not taking enough time.

As yourself, have you ever emptied your bucket(s) of range balls and asked yourself “where did they all go?” If so, you are probably not taking enough time to focus on each shot. We all know that focusing is important during a round, but we often forget that taking enough time to properly visualize each shot on the range is just as important. Spending more time and effort on each ball will yield greater results, making the improvements in your swing more permanent.

Next time you head to the range, get fewer range balls to hit, but spend more time on each one. You may be surprised to find out that less is more.

Gusty conditions can make for a heck of a challenge on the golf course. However, with a little understanding, you can learn to read the wind gusts to hit shots when they’re most likely to be unaffected.

As a general rule, gusts of wind last for about 750 to 1200 feet and can continue quite a bit longer. If you’re hitting into a headwind, it’s possible to choose an appropriate time. As a 25 MPH gust slackens against a flag 100 yards away, it will blow past you within about ten seconds. Because wind affects a ball dramatically more so towards the end of a ball’s flight than at the beginning, the ideal time to hit the ball is about six to seven seconds after you feel the gust. If you wait too long, the conditions may be still where you are, but another gust may have started by the time your ball reaches the peak of its flight.

Learn to read the gusts – and use the above as a general starting point – and you’ll score better in the wind.

The Golf Channel last night showed Dr. Gio Valiante, a regular guest on the show and the man behind fearlessgolf.net.

Last night, Gio was talking about the stress response as manifested by anger over a bad shot. Anger all too frequently forces itself upon us in the form of stress. Though some great players have found ways to make anger motivational, it’s rare. More frequently, anger turns on the stress response – mentally and physically – and bad play continues.

Gio’s suggestion? Laugh. Yawn. Make a silly sound. Do something to counter the stress response with the relaxation response. Stretch. Anything – relax yourself. You’ll free yourself from the grips of stress and put yourself in a better position to focus on the next shot.

When you watch professional golf on television, you’ll see players crouch behind their ball on the green, cup their hands over the sides of their face, and read the putt. On the tees, you’ll see players holding a club on the line of their shot. In the fairway, you’ll see players take practice swings or abbreviated backswings.

They’re reminding themselves to focus.

Part of a consistent pre-shot routine is the reminder that you “kick in” to focus. The golfer cupping his hands over the sides of his face is blocking out distractions, focusing on the line of the putt. Lining your shaft up with your target may serve as the reminder visualize the shot. Taking practice swings reminds a player to focus on the sidehill lie she’s facing.

Incorporate a “focus key” – something small that serves as your reminder to focus. It may be something small – wiggling your toes in your shoes as you stand behind the ball – or something larger – revising your pre-shot routine to incorporate time for visualization. Just focus.