How to Practice?
By, Chris Smeal, PGA

Has anyone ever taught you How To Practice?

TRY SOME OF THESE IDEAS TO HELP YOU IMPROVE YOUR GAME!!!

On the Range
First of all, why are you at the range? Are you here to just hit balls, are you working
on a drill, are you working on set-up or grip changes, are you trying out new clubs?

WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE FOR GOING TO THE RANGE?
You want to have a goal for every practice session. Here are some ideas of good goals:
1. Practice the drill I learned in my last lesson over and over again.
2. To get every ball up in the air.
3. To make every ball curve from right to left, or vice versa.
4. To hit at least 8 out of 10 balls on a certain distances green.
5. To hit 6 out of 10 balls in a designated fairway with the Driver, or 3-Wood.
6. To swing the club with the exact same tempo on every swing.
7. To hit 150 Wedges on the center of the face.
8. To get more comfortable in my address position.
9. To practice hitting during a particular wind pattern.
10. To get used to a particular shadow on a sunny day.
11. To figure out how far each club is flying in the air.
12. To practice a certain shot that you will face in an upcoming tournament.
13. To develop your pre-shot routine.
14. To swing the club and never lose your balance.

SHORT GAME
Practice from different locations always trying to get more of the
balls closer to the hole.
As your short game improves your shots will end up closer, and your misses too.
Place balls at one spot, hit 25 balls to the same flag, trying to build your technique
and repitition.
You are trying to get so good at these shots that no matter what the situation, the pressure,
you can be confident, because of your proper practice, that you can get the ball close to the
hole.

WHEN SHOULD YOU PRACTICE?
Practice as often as you can. There are always things you can be working on. One of the best times to practice is after you play. Work on what you did wrong on the course or a shot that you wish you had hit better. You want positive memories to fall back on for your next round, not memories of poor shots and bad contact.


STAY TUNED FOR MORE TO COME ABOUT PRACTICING!!!

Any questions please email me at
smealgolf@hotmail.com


“ALWAYS SOMETHING TO PRACTICE”


PUTTING
  • Speed
  • Alignment
  • Short Putts
  • Long Putts
  • Medium Putts
  • Putts Under Pressure
  • Downhill Putts
  • Uphill Putts
  • Straight Putts
  • Big Breaking Putts
  • Fringe in Backswing

CHIPPING

  • Just off the Green
  • Different Distance Chips
  • Chips with Break
  • Chips with No Break
  • Downhill Lie Chips
  • Uphill Lie Chips
  • Chips with Different Clubs
  • Chipping under pressure

PITCHING

  • 0-70 Yards
  • System for Pitches
  • Height
  • Carry
  • Spin
  • Release
  • From Fairway
  • From Rough
  • From Divot
  • Up Hill Lies
  • Downhill Lies
  •  

SAND PLAY

  • Soft Sand
  • Hard Sand
  • Big Lip in front
  • Small Lip
  • Long Carry
  • Short Carry
  • Rolls when it lands
  • Checks when it lands
  • Uphill Lies
  • Downhill Lies
  • Ball Above Feet
  • Ball Below Feet

MENTAL STRENGTH

  • Opening Tee Shot
  • Final Hole Play
  • Overcoming Bad Breaks
  • Overcoming Bad Holes
  • Playing with Intimidating Players
  • Playing with People who Bother you
  • Nerves
  • Confidence
  • Fear
  • Competing
  • Match Play vs. Stroke Play

DRIVING

  • Accuracy
  • Distance
  • Shot Shape
  • With Trouble on Right
  • With Trouble on Left
  • Hit it High
  • Hit it Low
  •  

SHORT IRON CONTROL

  • Making Birdies when you should
  • Shot Shape for hole locations
  • Perfect Distance
  • Variety of Distances
  • Controlling the Spin

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

  • Windy
  • Raining
  • Cold
  • Hot
  • Sore/ Sick/ Weak

FITNESS/ STRENGTH

  • Poor play because lack of strength or endurance.

LONG IRONS

  • Distance Control
  • Trajectory High enough to stop ball on green

FAIRWAY WOODS

  • Consistent Contact
  • Off Tee
  • Fairway
  • Rough

DEDICATION TO YOUR GAME WILL HELP TAKE YOU TO THE NEXT LEVEL!