practice drills

[donkba]

does anyone know of any drills that you can use during practice (not putting)
because i find practicing boring sometimes (im sure im not the only one). i practice alot an need help because i usually end up on the range or chipping area firing away like a machine gun and i know this is bad practice so please help

[Shindig]

does anyone know of any drills that you can use during practice (not putting)

Imagine you're playing your favorite course. Picture the fairway and tee box, hit your tee shot, see where it goes, and estimate what shot you'd need next. Repeat until the ball would be greenside, then go to the next hole.

[TD22057]

Check out this site:

http://www.thegolfdrillguru.com/

More drills there than anywhere else I've seen.

[lamebums]

does anyone know of any drills that you can use during practice (not putting)

Well, depends on what your problems are with the golf game. Or better put, what do you want to work on? Driving, long game, iron play, short game, trouble shots, sand, putting, what? Consistency, distance, scoring? There's drills for just about everything imaginable out there.

[Fried Egg]

Imagine you're playing your favorite course. Picture the fairway and tee box, hit your tee shot, see where it goes, and estimate what shot you'd need next. Repeat until the ball would be greenside, then go to the next hole.

If you're just worried about "machine gunning" balls, the tip above is good. Or just simply go through your preshot routine before each shot. This will really help you keep a consistent routine when you get on the course. A consistent routine is very important especially if you play in tournaments or put yourself into a pressure situation.

[flash]

If you're just worried about "machine gunning" balls, the tip above is good. Or just simply go through your preshot routine before each shot. This will really help you keep a consistent routine when you get on the course. A consistent routine is very important especially if you play in tournaments or put yourself into a pressure situation.

What good is a pre-shot routine if you have no confidence in where the ball goes.As far as I can remember back you have to actually hit the ball.looking like a "robot" before every strike ain't gonna get you no moola man. Hit the ball.practice looking like a pro AFTER you can "hit the shot"

[Shindig]

If you're just worried about "machine gunning" balls, the tip above is good. Or just simply go through your preshot routine before each shot. This will really help you keep a consistent routine when you get on the course. A consistent routine is very important especially if you play in tournaments or put yourself into a pressure situation.

Thanks :) I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking of this. The nice thing about a pre-shot routine is that every shot starts to feel like a no pressure shot on the driving range, as long as you're focused on your routine. As soon as you go back to no routine at the driving range, you can't count on this benefit.

does anyone know of any drills that you can use during practice (not putting)

Another thought occurs to me: Check out the Golf Digest Challenge from their website. It's free, and you enter round stats, and it gives you drills and tips for ten areas (5 long game drills/tips, 5 short game drills/tips). It's nothing more than a collection of the "Breaking 100/90/80" and "Lesson Tee" sections from GD, but some tips therein are reasonably good.

[Flopshot]

What good is a pre-shot routine if you have no confidence in where the ball goes.As far as I can remember back you have to actually hit the ball.looking like a "robot" before every strike ain't gonna get you no moola man. Hit the ball.practice looking like a pro AFTER you can "hit the shot"

this is too true to believe. especially if your out on the course. imagine taking a good routine then putting it in the trees you'll double the time your round takes and annoy yourself more

[jammer59]

Here's my typical chipping regiment -- my scores keep coming down so I hope it's helping:

Practice 1:

I pick three (or more) target holes on the practice green -- different distances, contours, etc. I alternate a chip to each hole and continue until I hit 3 consecutive chips to within 3 feet.

Sometimes, I'll repeat this with a different club selection if time permits.

Practice 2:

Again, I pick three targets and chip to each of them as many times in a row as it takes to either hole it or hit 3 in a row close (three feet.) If time permits, I'll do this again with another club selection.

[Terrier]

Punch shots. You've got to punch it under a tree branch and it's gotta go 100 yards (with roll). How many practice that shot on the range? Especially when we're bored? And how often does a situation like it happen on the course?

5-iron, 6-iron, 7-iron...take your pick. Get a feel for hitting them 100 yards, 50 yards, etc.; with a draw or fade...

HTH...

[bayareamtnbiker]

Look for/invent drills where you score yourself, in an honest manner, on various clubs/shots (e.g. 20 shots to a target circle). That way you'll know what needs work, monitor progress (or lack of), and get the most bang for your practice buck. Just hitting at targets doesn't transfer to your handicap all that well.

[albatroz]

Watch the Golf Channel . They have a lot of insights on how Tour players begin their routine . Also the like of Leadbetter and Harmon give very valuble tips on warm ups and hitting balls . Try to search for Butch Harmons game improvement practice gloves . they come in pairs and are a value for those who want to start the right way .

[gbk56]

Put your bucket of balls by your bag. This will force you to take your time with each shot.

Then work on whatever drill you want. I would suggest picking a target and continue aiming for the tartet until you can get five in a row within 5 yards. Then pick another target and continue.

[Platnumn]

Thanks for the Golf Guru site!!!! I am so pumped to have more drills!!

[rrassoc]

What good is a pre-shot routine if you have no confidence in where the ball goes.As far as I can remember back you have to actually hit the ball.looking like a "robot" before every strike ain't gonna get you no moola man. Hit the ball.practice looking like a pro AFTER you can "hit the shot"

Are you kidding me?? A pre-shot routine is the one thing any golfer can do the same every time, even if his handicap is 40. How are you ever going to get a repeatable swing, if you don't have a repeatable pre-shot routine? Get some lessons. Videotape your swing. Compare it to a pro. Every pro and good amateur has a pre-shot routine. There is a purpose to the routine, and it's not to look good. Read or listen to "Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect" by Bob Rotella. Tee 'em high and hit 'em hard!

[g-funk13]

Here's my typical chipping regiment -- my scores keep coming down so I hope it's helping:

Nice drill! Played with a pro once who said that he expected to be within 10 foot of the pin on all shots below 150yd. Next time I went to the range I took ONE club (8i), chose ONE distance (140 yds), and divided the balls into groups of ten. With a target area of about 8yd diameter, I challenged myself to hit 8/10 into the target area. Once I did that I challenged myself to get 8/10 5 times in a row. Then with a knockdown, etc. . . Keeps me focused and frustrated.

[Terrier]

Tom Kite once stated that he wouldn't leave the range until he hit the 100-yard flagstick on the range...

I'll aim for the big 100 sign intead. Mr. Kite's goals are too high for me.

[hippsalan]

donkba,

Try to feel a correct swing everytime during practice instead of just hitting balls. Here's a great way to practice: At address, assuming you're a righty, make sure you feel your upper left arm is connected to your outer left pec (chest) and then turn your body back and through keeping this connection. Your swing will feel shorter and tighter so start with a short iron and make 3/4 swings. When you get your arms and body swinging together correctly you will feel effortless power. Let me know if that works.

If you would like more info on a simple swing I'm teaching my students right now visit http://golfswingconnection.com . I also have some great drills for both on the course and the range.

Alan Hipps