Problem #4   Neglecting short game
Solution          Practice at least 60% short game and putting

Short game practice is neglected partly because quality short game facilities are unfortunately in short supply throughout most of Australia. Another reason is due to the buzz from hitting a great full shot compelling golfers to practice hitting those shots.

Most players, if asked how they could improve their game fastest would say that improving their short game would give the fastest improvement in scoring. Yet it is still neglected.

This is proven with more than 50% of shots played by any player being from within 40 metres of the green. The best players in the world are all exceptional when they are putting or playing shots from within 40 metres of the green.

Statistics from the LPGA Tour show that the average number of putts taken by the leading players is around 28 putts per round, with 100th place at 30.7. Knowing how you compare to these players provides a measure that you can strive to achieve. Even with putting, it will take a long time to achieve this kind of level.

There are numerous short game drills to sharpen your scoring. Set up a scoring system using drills that you have used in squad sessions or compete against another person in putting and other short shots. This type of competitive practice will highlight areas of weakness due to your increased awareness.

Task: create a pitching, chipping, bunker and putting drill with a scoring system. Complete the drill at least twice a week and plot your progress over a month and notice any changes.

Problem #5    Trying to fix everything at once
Solution          Allocate time to each idea you need to develop

Club championships or another important match coming up? Most golfers are a bit like students when they have an important game on the horizon, they cram their practice to try to make miracles happen overnight. Just like students cramming for exams the sense of overwhelm with information means that most, if not all the information is forgotten. Either that or it is given scant attention.

To learn anything well and have that learning embedded there is a need for continual exposure.

A concept may be understood on the first exposure, however having a deep understanding of fine nuances only occurs with practice and viewing the information from varying perspectives. This is true of all things being learned, but especially so of fine motor skills such as golf technique, even for short strokes such as putts and chips.

Provided there is a focus on improvement then holding one or two thoughts at a time will be sufficient to allow improvement to occur, especially if they are key points!

Devote sufficient attention to one point of focus / piece of information until it has become somewhat automated. This might take a few days and sometimes a few weeks. Persist and be intentional in your practice so that new information or skill becomes part of what you do.

What is the most important thing for you to focus on at the moment?
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What specifically are you trying to achieve?
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How many practice sessions will you devote to this specific point?
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Problem #6   Jumping from tip to tip
Solution          Have some coaching

Most golfers are obsessed with self-improvement. Who has been incredibly curious to know what the coach said to the player who had a lesson and then beat their best score? I know I have.

Likewise when reading articles in magazines about Tour players who have been performing well, I’m interested to know why they think they are playing so well.

The most popular section in golf magazines are the instructional pages. We are constantly fed a golfing diet of tips. These tips are all useful when applied correctly in the right context. In much the same way that Panadol is useful for a lot of things, but won’t help a broken leg.

In order to ensure the things you are working on in your swing are the right things, the best solution is to have some coaching.

A coach’s assessment of your game and plan for improvement offers direction and also peace of mind that you can trust you are on the right path. With trust it is easier to persist with a correct course of action, especially when progress is slow.

Your coach will also ensure that what you are working on is the most important thing to develop. Often the advice a coach gives you will have a systemic influence; the advice helps improve aspects of the swing other than the specific focus.

Make sure you fully understand what the coach is suggesting and why it is being suggested…then commit to it!

Problem #7    Not monitoring your progress
Solution           Understand the swing drills prescribed

A golfer’s progress over time is measured by handicap and stroke average. Performance can vary quite a bit from round to round, so it is better to view performance over time rather than from round to round.

When goals for improvement are set, they need to be monitored so that progress can be acknowledged (if it is occurring), adjustments made (if there is no improvement) or reset (if progress is going backwards). Continuous progress is the aim of every golfer, so using practice time most efficiently is absolutely necessary.

There is nothing more frustrating than finding out that you have been on the wrong path for some time. Monitoring improvement can avoid this.

Monitoring includes ensuring your swing drills and thoughts are creating improvement. You should be clear on the most appropriate drills, their purpose and how they fit with your swing. If you have a specific point of technique to monitor, then use mirrors, video, your shadow or other means to know you are accurately carrying out your coach’s instruction.

Question the coach to gain a clear understanding of what you are trying to achieve and why it is important for you. Once you have that understanding it will be easier to commit to the instruction. This will make your session both meaningful and beneficial.

You may also be prescribed a competitive drill with a scoring system attached to it. Noting your scoring progress as you complete the drill over a period of a few weeks will alert you to whether improvement is occurring.

What points of technique are you working on?
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How are you monitoring this?
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What competitive drill are you doing to monitor this?
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