If you’ve decided that 2025 is your year to finally improve your golf game, you’re probably aware that actually practicing is a good place to start.
But finding time to practice can difficult with a busy schedule, and simply hitting ball after ball on the range when you do actually have time isn’t an ideal strategy.
So what’s a hopeful high-handicapper to do? According to Top 100 Teacher Krista Dunton, the key is dividing the practice time you do have into easily-digestible segments. With 30 minutes of range time, for example, you should maximize your efficiency by chopping the time up into three distinct blocks: mechanics, target practice, and performance under pressure.
“The first 10 minutes should be spent working on your mechanics and whatever keys are good for you technically,” Dunton said. In other words, this is the time to put those improvement tips to work, whether that’s a key thought on your turn, transition or takeaway.
For the next 10 minutes, Dunton says it’s time to focus on a target.
“That’s when you start to go through your pre-shot routine as you would on the golf course,” Dunton said. “Get set up, get a last look at the target you’ve picked, and pull the trigger.”
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The last 10 minutes builds on the routine you’ve been practicing but should also incorporate a bit of pressure. In this segment, you should not only be picking a target and going through a full routine, but also changing clubs between shots, and perhaps even envisioning playing a hole in order. Practicing this way, Dunton said, means you’ll be ready to go on the course.
“If you can make a regular habit of practicing this way, in three 10-minute segments, it will make your golf a lot more relaxing,” Dunton said. “How can you expect to perform on the course when you haven’t trained for it? But if you practice correctly, and you kind of train yourself to use a decent routine, it’s a lot easier to pull that off.”
Dunton’s practice advice will also help you retain good technique between shots, and stave off the tedium that can set in when you’re robotically hitting dozens of balls. By being thoughtful about your practice time, you can make even a short session worthwhile for your overall improvement.
