My Golf Practice Strategy: Break it, Drill it, Use it, Take it

One of the reasons I feel I'll be successful in reaching my goal of becoming a scratch golfer is my background playing and coaching hockey. Over my years of coaching I think I've figured out the best way to teach technical movements and through my years of playing I have figured out what it takes for me to learn a new movement. So here is how I approach my practice sessions:

Break it down

The first phase of coming up with a good practice plan is figuring out what I need to work on. For the most part this is already decided. Right now I am working through my swing from the ground up. During my last phase I focused on my feet and knees and now I am focusing on my hips.

Once I have a good idea of what I need to work on I research the topic by talking to my PGA pro, reading my books and searching the web. Usually I have a pretty good idea of what the desired movement should look like, so I just focus on finding some drills that will help me feel the desired movement. Once I have a few drills picked out I'm ready to head to the driving range.

Drill it

I really feel that drills are the key to rapidly improving my golf game. A well designed drill will help you instantly feel how things are supposed to work. They usually force your body to do the right thing.

I start all my practice sessions with a quick warmup of stretching then move to the range and do some pitches and half shots. After that I do some full swings focusing on my tempo and will usually do one of my tempo drills. Once I feel warm I'm ready to get to it.

I usually try to stick with one club as I run through a drill and hit about five to ten balls at a time. Focusing on taking my time and really think about what the drill is trying to do.

Use it

Once I've done my five to tens reps of a drill I try to make a few golf shots really focusing on integrating my new skill into my swing. After a few swings I go back and perform the drill again. As a session wears on the ratio of drill swings to normal swings decreases. So at first I might hit ten drill shots followed by three normal shots and after doing that a few times I'll do eight drill shots and five normal shots. Once I've gone through a few rounds like that I will often move to a longer iron.

Take it to the course

This is where the new skill is really put to the test. I like to try to play nine holes after a driving range session. When I'm out on the course I try to think about my new skill as much as possible. I also try to assess whether or not I've properly integrated that skill into my game. Especially after a few holes. If on the ninth hole I'm using my skill properly, I know I'm probably ready to move on. If I'm not using it properly I usually start over from the beginning.

So here is how a typical session might work:

Warmup

Pitches and half swings: 20 balls

Full swings for tempo: 10 balls

Pistol drill for tempo: 10 balls

9 Iron

Step drill: 7 balls

Swing: 3 balls

Step drill: 7 balls

Swing: 3 balls

Step drill: 5 balls

Swing: 5 balls

Step drill: 3 balls

Swing: 7 balls

6 Iron

Repeat the same sequence as above

9 Iron

Repeat the same sequence as above, but now using the pump drill

6 Iron

Repeat the same sequence as above

Play nine holes.