Re: Practice Routine

Well, I can only offer what seems to be conventional wisdom.

Target putting is ok - but pro's don't putt to cups. Pro's work on weight - putting to points (imaginary or real).

I've heard some suggest that you should only drop one ball on the putting green.

The thing I've heard about breaking down practice time is that it should at least be 50-50 between full shots and short shots - even 40/60 respectively.

The thing that will make you a killer golfer far faster than crushing the ball is putting your ball close enough to one putt more often than not.

Work that short game - I like the idea of hitting some full shots at the end of the practice session - but work chips and pitches often. Work on getting out of greenside bunkers and getting close.

I get to the range about once a month (during my short golf season). But I work on 15 yd pitches in my backyard almost every day during the season. I've got a closely mown (and rolled) area of lawn that I have to water the **** out of, but it provides a great place to work on chips and putts.

This year I'm building a sandbox for my kids right beside my 'green'... I'm guessing I'll have to refill the sandbox every year.

If I had the option to go to a full service facility, I'd hit 20 or so full shots to warm up with my favourite club. Then I'd take 20 or so bunker shots, hit 40 wedge shots that required a less-than-full swing to a target, hit 40 or so chips to a target, and probably spend 20 minutes or so putting around on the practice green. Mostly to get weight, then weight across a line. I'd finish up on the range, hitting 10 shots per club, starting with wedges, going to Big Dog.

And I'd do it as often as possible.

Re: Practice Routine

you could practise distance putting take like 4or 5 balls hit your first ball from one side to the other just on the edge then try keeping the same line but hitting the rest ot your balls 6feet short of the one you just hit, i dont know if this will help but i find it helps me get used to putting at any distance and be confident,

Re: Practice Routine

I would start with your long game, then move onto short game then putting!!
My ideal routine would be something like this:

* Stretch (don't miss this out)
* full shots for about 50 - 100 balls. working on whatever your changing from advice from a local pro, a book or GTO. (should take bout an hour)
*short game (for another hour(ish)). work on whats causing you problems on the course or your trying to improve. Don't try and do everything in one night. work on particular shots such as bunker play or pitching or bump and runs etc.
*finish with putting drills. do long putts focusing not on the hole but the weight i.e focus on puting the ball no more than 2 foot past the hole.
then move onto reading 10 footers and in and aim to hole them.
i would finish with montys 100 putt drill where you place your ball 3 foot from the hole and aim to putt 100 in a row. once you can do it move it back a foot. Look through golf books for other drills. Iv got a few golf books with drills but im not at home at d mo.

remember focus on going through the excercise at a patient pace. Don't try n rush through a section just so you can spend an hour on each section.

good luck. with 3 hours practice after school every day you'll be turning pro in no time. wish i had that much spare time!

Re: Practice Routine

Hi Ricky,

A great game to play on the putting green...........take one ball and start pretty close to number one....then continue to number two and so on, see how many shots you can play the putting green in....18 is good...once you get lower there can be a lot of pressure.

chipping is the same....start near to number one chip and putt out...you must chip from the same couple of feet for every hole.

Bunker practice is great you can take 5 balls and try to get two feet further with each ball. Also I stick the rake in the ground...after a bit of practice you can hit the rake.

Don't ever work on your swing before a comp just swing easy for some rhythm...............In fact I don't hit anything more than a 10 balls with a 9 iron before a comp...mad I know, but if I do hit drives etc, I start questioning my feelings.......if the drives start pulling or pushing I start worrying about the first tee shot..."It is a long way from the practice ground to the first tee".....but that only me.

Good luck with the practice.

P.S. 13 is my best on the putting.


Ian.

Re: Practice Routine

On the putting green go round the holes and see if i get them in 1 or 2 etc, and count the score and then next time try it again! and for chippin i goto the chippin green and i will chip from 1 place and then putt it, to get down in 2 and i do all different places from there i just my other clubs about 5-10 balls each, and on satuurday go out with your m8s, or just ply golf!

Re: Practice Routine

Hey, sounds good, it dosent matter how good you play in the winter, as it is S***** but the sumer counts for all! just keep practisen and i think you should get to were you wanna be, and if you need caddie, im always happy to help on the min tour, but you have to buy me lunch