Print This Article

GolfRx: Spring Season Practice

I hear this too often: “Things were going well until the 4th hole. Then everything went downhill.” I know what happens. Many players hit one bad shot and start to make adjustments. They don’t chalk it up to the law of averages. Everyone hits a bad shot from time to time. Better players handle bad shots better because they understand their swing.

The time to work on fundamental corrections isn’t during a round-or even the middle of the season. An automatic, repeatable swing should be developed in practice. And spring is the best time to start fresh, well before leagues and outings begin. But most players don’t know how to get the most out of practice sessions-whether on the range or in a dome.

It’s best to have a game plan in mind. Don’t just smash balls and get caught up in distance. A range ball isn’t an accurate indicator of distance, anyway. In fact, don’t even emphasize the outcome of the ball early on. Be more into what you feel happening in your swing. Evaluate last season; remember what bad shots prevented you from having lower scores. Then focus on improving those areas of your game.

MUSCLE MEMORY

Better players understand the golf swing. With all the videos, magazines, golf channel and lessons available, players should have a better concept of what the body and club is supposed to do in a good golf swing. The body can only do what the mind tells it to do.

Many swing flaws come from a player having the wrong concept of the swing or no concept at all. Getting your body to perform consistently takes practice. You need to develop “muscle memory.”

Always start with your set-up, grip, posture, stance and target aim. The set-up is the prerequisite to the swing. First, check your ball placement in relationship to your feet. Place clubs parallel on the ground (above photo) to remind you where the target line is. Check to make sure your set-up is on balance.

One great way to help you to be aware of your body and club position in your backswing is to take a slow, deliberate, backswing and then stop at the top. If you are holding your breath or can’t stay on balance, something is wrong. Also, the shaft of the club should be pointing down the target line at the top of the backswing.

The goal here isn’t stopping, it’s teaching you muscles to get to a certain spot. The body builds muscle memory when it is in a stop position more so than when it is in motion.

OBSTACLE COURSE

Did you ever see someone hit the bucket of range balls that is on the outside of the target line (or the ball that is being hit)? I have. They’ll quickly move the bucket, but there’s obviously something wrong with their swing path.

To get your swing path in a groove and help you be more aware of the club head in your forward swing, set up an obstacle course. Place head covers or tees in the ground on ether side of the ball so that you must swing between them to hit the ball. You don’t need a teaching pro or video to tell you something’s wrong when you’re hitting head covers out onto the range.

This drill can help a player be more aware of the club during the swing. If you have ever seen a tour player practice you would see that they set up practice stations such as this to help them get the most out practice. Inner learning, the learning that happens when you are on your own is the most important. Most improvement happens when a player is on his or her own rather than under eye of a pro.

I actually see students make greater improvement early in the year because they aren’t under the pressure of performing in a league or tournament. Get out for some early practice and build some muscle memory. Pretty soon you’ll be able to stop concentrating on you swing and start visualizing successful shots.

Any questions, comments or suggestions for future articles please contact Joe at: joep@carlsgolfland.com