In Defense of (Good) Block Practice

[iacas]

Block practice often seems to get a bad rap on Golf Twitter/Golf Instagram. It's often belittled as "what you see everyone doing on the range" or "mindlessly hitting the same club to the same target" or similar such things.

For example:

When questioned, many will say something like Jon's "I'm not against block practice at all." And to be fair, with only about 15% of golfers ever taking lessons, many golfers should do a lot more random practice.

In a chapter from his recent book re-published from this article on his site, Jon defines block (he calls it "blocked") practice as "practicing the same skill repeatedly." His example is "hitting your 7-iron to the same target without making any changes." As I said in the tweets, that's not good practice of any kind; it's just exercise. Good block practice seems to get a bad rap because it's often defined similarly to how Jon defines it: mindlessly bashing balls with the same club to the same target (if there's even a target at all). And I agree that's what "most" golfers tend to do.

But that's not "block practice."

Later in Jon's article, he gives examples of what makes for good block practice:

• Going through the same pre-shot routine.
• Paying attention to your setup each time.
• Working on a specific technique.
• Focused on your target entirely before you hit the shot.

Bingo.

In writing this post, I'm going to make a few broad, general statements. Let's start with this one: regardless of the type of practice, mental engagement is key.

This article correctly points out that in doing "bad" practice, the brain becomes disengaged. This article says "Although one of the newer buzz-words or phrases in the golf performance coaching world is random practice, blocked practice is an important part of learning when first learning a new skill." This video says random practice forces you to be more engaged. This article has a sub-heading called "Block Golf Practice (AKA bashing balls)". This one here says "Blocked practice (practicing the same skill under the same conditions) leads to more rapid gains in performance but limited transfer when variability is introduced." @Adam Young says "I would almost put that in the category of 'non-practice', or a warm up, as you are not being conscious or present through the process."

Most of the linked articles are arguing in favor of more random practice, and one can quickly get the sentiment that block practice should be avoided because it's "mindless" or "repetitive" and doesn't lead to a transfer of skill. It's easy to skip over the small section or disclaimer which speaks well of block practice. So, it's time for two more general, broad statements:

• Block practice is good for improving technique while random practice is good for improving your skill.
• Technique sets the baseline, and skill determines the performance relative to that baseline.

For all the articles out there which (often only quickly) mention things like the above, you'll find a bunch of articles that say things like this one about Jordan Spieth that says "This is a perfect example of how the pros practice. They don’t hit driver after driver down the middle of the range. They mix things up. They vary their clubs and their targets, and they hit different shots because that’s what you do when you play golf."

Poppycock! Lying by omission!

Pros do practice the way Jordan practices in that article, but pros also practice by hitting the same club to the same target repeatedly. Not always, but a fair amount of the time. Visit a PGA Tour range on a Tuesday and you'll find a bunch of guys engaged in block practice, like Vijay just above (this was one of Vijay's lighter practice sessions, as he only has the umbrella, the towel, the shaft against his hip, and a mirror you can't see 😄). Better yet, visit a lesson or a session with their instructors back at home and you'll find a ton of block practice.

Why? Because pros are working on their technique, too.

If a pro starts wiping the ball to the right, and his coach/instructor finds a flaw in his technique… he doesn't go out and just switch targets and clubs with every swing. He repeats the improved motion, often at slower speeds with shorter swings. He exaggerates it. He finds a feel and begins to ingrain it. He improves his technique, so that when he's on the course, his baseline is higher and his skills can shine through.

Block practice is a great way to learn and improve your technique.

So long as you can stay mentally engaged, which is admittedly not that easy, repeating the same new technique, the same improved technique is a good way to learn that technique.

I often tell my students not to under-value the benefits of practicing in a mirror at home for three minutes at a time, three or four times a day. This is block practice, because you're repeating the same (often slightly exaggerated) motions repeatedly. I stress keeping these sessions (sometimes done without even a golf club in your hands but a spatula or a toothbrush) short so that the golfer can stay mentally engaged, but they're valuable ways to make a change to your technique.

Golfers taking lessons should do more block practice than golfers who are "just playing."

Jon doesn't take lessons, and doesn't seem to "work on his swing" in the way that many golfers taking lessons will work on things. As I understand it, he's comfortable with his swing, and seeks only to maintain his baseline technique while improving his skills.

Most golfers taking lessons are not happy with their technique. They want to improve it. They're prime candidates to do more block practice.

Block and Random Practice are at the ends of a spectrum, and a good practice session is typically somewhere in between.

Even when you're engaged in a mostly block practice session seeking to improve your technique, you can add random elements to it:

• change the speed at which you swing.
• change clubs.
• change how exaggerated you make whatever motion you're trying to improve.
• change the direction you're facing.
• change the type of feedback you get.
• change the "piece" that you're working on.
• etc.

Block practice is not "bad." When you're looking to improve your technique, block practice is often the way to go. But the trick is to stay mentally present. You're not allowed to get sloppy, or go too fast.

If doing some of the things in the bullet list above helps you to stay mentally engaged, great. I often have students working on two different things, two different "pieces," and sometimes a practice session can remain engaging if they just switch which one of their "pieces" they're working on every three to five balls.

If you're not working on your golf swing technique — or if you have a big event coming up in the next two weeks — then definitely spend a majority of your time doing more things toward the random end of the spectrum.

But if you're working to improve your technique, don't listen to Golf Twitter, because even 280 characters isn't enough to slip in the brief disclaimers about how good block practice can be when done correctly.

Sources:

1. https://usgolftv.com/instruction/block-practice-vs-random-practice-whats-the-difference/
2. https://www.ballflightacademy.com/blocked-practice-vs-random-practice-golf/
3. https://golfersrx.com/block-practice-vs-random-practice/
4. https://golfixation.com/golf-practice-block-random/
5. https://open.lib.umn.edu/psychomotorskills/chapter/random-vs-blocked-practice/
6. https://practical-golf.com/blocked-vs-random-practice/
7. https://www.adamyounggolf.com/block-vs-random-practice/
8. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/jordan-spieth-practice-strategy

[Shindig]

Learning how to do good block practice, coupled with having priority pieces from good lessons, is how I got to the point where my SG:A is usually below the 10 handicap marker and not infrequently below the 5 handicap marker.  

It's also amazing what being able to hit a few balls a day, even if I'm only hitting a dozen, can do to keep my swing in decent order, or get it back after being away.

I've come a long way from the days when going to the range was mostly exercise, no matter what I claimed in those days. 

[ChetlovesMer]

Dude, that is a well thought out and logical discussion over a topic that is often misconstrued. 👍👍

[nevets88]

I keep a sawed down golf club with gray duct tape as a head to do a little block practice next to my computer. And then there's the WC.

I wonder if practicing with music, not too distracting music, via earbuds helps some stay engaged. It drowns out distractions from the vicinity, helps me keep focused on my own thing. Earbuds are a permanent addition to my bag and I use them if it's not dead quiet.

[iacas]

I think a few studies came out within the past five years that showed:

• Music during an athletic endeavor decreases performance.
• Music prior to or on the way to an athletic endeavor increases performance.

These studies involved more than "workouts," where I think music is generally considered okay for increasing stamina while reducing perceived effort (i.e. you can work out a bit harder/longer with music than without).

Never mind that music can affect the tempo and rhythm and length, mute or muffle the sound of impact, etc.

If you're distracted by music, I don't know that you're really focused on your practice as much as you can be. Just tune the other people out — we do it all the time in other parts of life.

[nevets88]

3 minutes ago, iacas said:

I think a few studies came out within the past five years that showed:

• Music during an athletic endeavor decreases performance.
• Music prior to or on the way to an athletic endeavor increases performance.

These studies involved more than "workouts," where I think music is generally considered okay for increasing stamina while reducing perceived effort (i.e. you can work out a bit harder/longer with music than without).

Never mind that music can affect the tempo and rhythm and length, mute or muffle the sound of impact, etc.

If you're distracted by music, I don't know that you're really focused on your practice as much as you can be. Just tune the other people out — we do it all the time in other parts of life.

I did not know that. I'll try mentally tuning people out.

[iacas]

Is this guy talking about golf here?

No, he's talking about pool. But the sentiment is similar.

[ChetlovesMer]

On 8/11/2022 at 2:49 PM, nevets88 said:

Earbuds are a permanent addition to my bag and I use them if it's not dead quiet.

I think this is a mistake.
I'm no Alfred Einstein, but how will you learn to deal with distractions during play if you don't learn to deal with them during practice? 

I had a buddy who used to loose his mind anytime one of the course mowers was anywhere near us. Everything distracted this dude. He'd blame every bad shot on some distraction. This animal made this noise, or that player over there reacted to his/her shot, it was always something. 

He was a good friend so I never said anything, but I used to think "Man, don't let things bother you. Just focus what you are doing." 

Personally, I try never to admit that something distracted me. Even if it does... ESPECIALLY if it does. And I especially don't admit it to myself. If you admit you hit a bad shot because you got distracted that takes the result out of your hands. If you decide you hit a bad shot because your technique isn't engrained enough or because your skill isn't developed enough that puts it back in your hands. Think of it this way. I can control how much I practice and on what I practice. I have no control over other people on the course, or mowers, or cars driving near the course with guys doing that funny honk the horn in your backswing joke.... Woo, that's a hoot and holler! 🤪

Don't give others the power. Keep the power for yourself. 

.... But again, I'm not the smartest person in the world. 

[GolfLug]

23 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

I think this is a mistake.
I'm no Alfred Einstein, but how will you learn to deal with distractions during play if you don't learn to deal with them during practice? 

It might keep him engaged longer. It might be worth sacrificing a bit of 'dealing with distraction learning' if so. I tend to drift in my headspace during practice. A lot. It would probably be worse with music so it's def not for me but for some the opposite is true. 

[Double Mocha Man]

26 minutes ago, ChetlovesMer said:

I had a buddy who used to loose his mind anytime one of the course mowers was anywhere near us. Everything distracted this dude. He'd blame every bad shot on some distraction.

I think we share the same golfing friend.  Ron totally freaks out when a mower, anywhere within 5 miles is running.  I always wave to the mower person to keep on going, get their job done.  How frustrating it must be to be a mower on a golf course... starting and stopping.  Let 'em go about their business.

[ChetlovesMer]

5 hours ago, Double Mocha Man said:

I think we share the same golfing friend.  Ron totally freaks out when a mower, anywhere within 5 miles is running.  I always wave to the mower person to keep on going, get their job done.  How frustrating it must be to be a mower on a golf course... starting and stopping.  Let 'em go about their business.

Well, my mower freak out guy's name is Chris. So not likely to be the same guy. But certainly cut from the same cloth. 
BTW - I just noticed your HCP is down to 5.1.

I don't remember it being that low. Have you been practicing?