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Looking to make the most of your practice session? Then be sure to include these three concepts when planning out your time.
Rule of thirds: Break up your sessions evenly
No matter how much time you have to practice your game, there are many benefits to breaking up that practice time into three shorter segments. Each segment will focus on one thing in particular: your full swing, your short game and your putting.
If you have an hour, drop 20 minutes on each part and work relentlessly on that one thing. This helps make sure you dedicate some time to each part of the game and allows you to become a more rounded player, working on all of your weaknesses instead of focusing on one issue in particular.
Rule of 5: Avoid needless shot repetition
Yes, you might want to master that one shot in particular — but you should avoid hitting the same shot more than five times in a row. Instead, break your practice balls into smaller groups, such as groups of five. Every five or so shots, switch clubs or change the kind of shot profile you are trying.
Why? Because it keeps you focused more on the practice session instead of getting lost on one particular shot or club. While you are choosing a shot, be sure to have a clear intention on what you are trying to execute and then take a moment to digest the feedback you are receiving from your results.
Out on the golf course, you aren’t hitting the same shot over and over, so why should your practice session be like that?
Recreate a competitive environment
One of the best things you can do to improve your practice sessions is to start putting more pressure into your training. It is easy to swing with accuracy when you have no pressure. You want to try and mirror the feeling of a competitive game the best you can, though.
So, put some pressure on yourself with each shot you take. Even something as simple as trying to recreate the feeling of a win-or-lose shot means that each swing has some jeopardy and pressure with it. This improves your ability to handle stress and will enhance the level of your development as time goes on. The more pressure you can take, the better results you will see on the course.
Tori Totlis is the founder of Compete Confidence Golf and host of the T-Time with Tori Totlis Podcast. She covers everything from golf fitness, instruction, lifestyle and more. You can follow her on Instagram here.
