Miles Bennett
Golf professionals practice very differently from recreational golfers. They focus on replicating real-round situations on the practice ground, working on their technique, and simulating tournament pressure. For example, they may surround a hole with tees, with the goal of making a set number of putts in a row. They also tend to hit a lot of wedges and drivers, and not much else. Additionally, they may use training aids, such as mirrors, to check their alignment and eye position. Some golfers also emphasize the importance of focusing on the “feel” for different shots rather than getting caught up in the mechanics of the swing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Practice style | Pros practice "golf shots" not "golf swings" |
| Practice focus | Pros focus on replicating real-round situations on the practice ground |
| Practice equipment | Training aids like mirrors are used to check alignment and eye position |
| Practice drills | Drills are used to simulate tournament pressure, e.g. surrounding a hole with tees and making a set number of putts in a row |
| Practice structure | Pros may structure practice as a ladder, starting with shorter putts and increasing the distance with each success |
| Practice time | Ben Hadden, a PGA Tour golfer, recommends getting fully offline and focusing entirely on practice for an hour |
| Bunker shots | Bunker shots are often neglected, even by pros, but they are important for getting off the tee |
| Putting mirrors | A common practice tool, mirrors are used for routine maintenance and checking alignment |
| Practice goals | Pros identify areas to work on, such as the short game and putting, and focus on “feel” for different shots rather than just technique |
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What You'll Learn
Focusing on the golf shot, not the golf swing
Golf tour professionals practice with a purpose and are always working on improving their game. One key aspect of their practice is focusing on the golf shot, rather than the golf swing. This means visualizing and simulating the conditions of a real round of golf during practice. This includes playing shots as they would on the course, with a pre-shot routine and a clear intention for each stroke. It also means practising the shots that they would face in a round of golf, such as hitting to specific targets, simulating hazards, and playing different trajectories.
For example, a pro might practise their approach shots by playing to a tight pin placement, or they might simulate a windy day by hitting lower shots to keep the ball under an imaginary wind. They would also be sure to vary their targets and shot shapes to cover all the types of shots they might face on the course. By focusing on the shot, they are also able to develop a feel for shot-making, rather than getting too technical. This feel for the game is what separates the pros from amateurs, and it is developed through hours of deliberate practice, where the golfer visualizes and executes shots as they would in a tournament setting.
Another important aspect is course management and strategy. Pros will practise their decision-making and strategy by playing shots with different clubs and trajectories to learn how to navigate a course effectively. They will also practise their recovery skills and trouble shots, so they are prepared for any situation during a round. This means practising uneven lies, difficult bunker shots, and other challenging scenarios.
Mental toughness is also a key part of the game, and pros will often practise their routines and visualization to build mental resilience. This includes practising under pressure, such as playing to win a tournament, or simulating pressure situations to learn how to manage their nerves and emotions. By focusing on the shot and playing with purpose, pros are able to develop a mental toughness that allows them to perform at their best when it matters most.
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Replicating real-round situations
Tour professionals practice by replicating real-round situations on the practice ground. They do this by creating a simulation of shots and situations they would face on the course, while practicing on the range. This allows for a smooth transition from practice sessions to on-course play.
To achieve this, tour pros use a very structured routine to hone their skills. They have a clear plan of attack tailored to their game and know what they need to work on. They use specific drills and training aids to attack their faults. They also keep notes after rounds to identify where to focus their time and energy in practice.
Tour players also create ball-striking stations and practice with purpose. They work on their full swing and short game, using props like shafts and yardsticks to check their alignment, ball position, and swing plane. They also simulate on-course situations with a variety of targets, working on visualization, imagination, and fine-tuning their pre-shot routine.
Additionally, tour pros use caddies to help them prepare for real-round situations. Caddies scope out the conditions of the course, testing ground conditions, rolling putts, and gathering information on firmness, pin locations, landing areas, and weather conditions. They set up drills and practice stations, providing real-time feedback to help golfers make better decisions during rounds.
By practicing with purpose and replicating real-round situations, tour pros can improve their performance and transition smoothly from practice to on-course play.
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Bunker shots
Setup and Stance
The setup for a bunker shot is crucial for achieving consistent results. When setting up for a bunker shot, it is important to distribute your weight correctly. Place more weight on your front foot (up to 75% of your weight), which will help you hit down into the sand more effectively. Address the ball by gently corkscrewing your feet into the sand to gain stability and prevent slipping or sliding during the swing.
Clubface Position
The position of the clubface plays a significant role in the success of a bunker shot. Instead of the traditional method of opening the clubface fully to the right, modern tour players like Collin Morikawa and Scottie Scheffler are adopting a new technique. They drop their hands to open the clubface to a lesser degree, which helps them control the amount of dig and achieve the desired amount of bounce.
Ball Position
Position the ball forward in your stance, ensuring it is not too far back, to promote striking the sand first. This forward ball position, combined with the weight distribution mentioned earlier, will help power your clubface through the sand and optimize the entry point.
Swing and Follow-Through
A bunker shot requires a steep swing path and a high follow-through. Take a fuller swing and aim to hit about an inch or two behind the ball in the sand, allowing the club to glide underneath the ball. This will result in the ball exploding out of the bunker with a splash of sand. It is important to follow through completely and stay down longer on bunker shots. Avoid decelerating or stopping at impact, as this will affect the desired outcome.
Practice Drills
To improve your bunker shot technique, consider practicing the "Dumping Sand" drill, popularized by Luke Donald. Add sand to your clubface and take swings, observing if the sand stays on until the top of the backswing. If the sand falls off earlier, it indicates that your clubface is too closed, which will impact the loft at impact. Additionally, consider watching instructional videos, such as those by Seve and Erika Larkin, to further refine your bunker shot technique.
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Putting drills
Putting is an important aspect of golf, and there are many putting drills that tour pros use to improve their game. Here are some of the most common and effective drills:
Ladder Drill
This drill is designed to improve your distance putting and is a favourite of tour pros. Place markers or tees in a straight line at 10, 15, 20, and 30 feet away from the hole. Start by putting from the 10-foot mark and work your way backward. If you don't get the ball within 1 foot of the hole, start over. As you progress, you should be sinking balls more consistently. This drill can also be adapted for beginners by placing a ball between the coins at each length instead of making them consecutively.
Putting to a Tee
This is a popular drill on tour as it helps improve your putting feel and confidence. Instead of putting towards a hole, you putt towards a tee, which narrows your focus. This is a great way to build confidence during pre-round preparations.
Nine-Ball Drill
This drill adds pressure to your putting practice, simulating the pressure of the course. Set up nine golf balls at short, medium, and long ranges. Create a scoring system or set a target, and putt the balls in a random order. This practice is more similar to real-life scenarios and helps translate your skills to the course.
One-Handed Putting
This drill is simple yet effective and is even Tiger Woods-approved. All you need to do is hit putts one-handed. This will help you feel the putter head release. Most people use their trail hand, but you can use either hand.
String or Chalk Line Drill
To ensure your eyes are directly over the ball, erect a string over your ball, putter, and line. This accomplishes a few things, including helping with your alignment. If you don't like the obstruction of the string, you can draw a chalk line on the ground to achieve mostly the same result.
Mirror Drill
Using a mirror is a great way to improve your putting stroke. A product like the Perfect Roll Mirror is compact and easy to store in your golf bag. It has a bevelled entry port that allows you to roll a ball to the same fixed location, helping you develop consistent setup and stroke mechanics.
These drills are a great way to improve your putting skills and take your golf game to the next level. Remember, practice makes perfect!
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Focusing on feel
Golf tour professionals are known for their exceptional feel around the greens. This enables them to consistently get up and down from a variety of lies and distances. A key aspect of their practice routines is, therefore, to focus on developing and refining this feel.
One way they do this is by spending a lot of time hitting a variety of shots from different distances and lies. They pay close attention to the feel of each shot, experimenting with different techniques and adjustments to understand how they affect the outcome. By constantly refining their feel for these shots, pros can develop a wide array of shots that they can rely on during a round.
Another important aspect is course management and strategy. Pros spend time studying the courses they play, understanding the nuances of each hole and the various shot options available. They develop a feel for the strategy that works best for their game, knowing when to be aggressive and when to play more conservatively. This feel for course management is a critical part of their practice routine and helps them make better decisions during tournaments.
Additionally, pros often practice with specific targets and challenges to simulate tournament pressure and refine their feel for pressure situations. They may set up competitions with their peers or create unique challenges that test their skills. This helps them develop a feel for performing under pressure and making critical shots when it matters most.
Finally, pros also focus on refining their sense of feel in terms of equipment. They work closely with club fitters and manufacturers to understand the nuances of their equipment, such as the feel of different shaft flexes, grip sizes, and clubhead designs. This knowledge helps them make subtle adjustments to their equipment setup, fine-tuning their feel, and optimizing performance on the course. By prioritizing the development of their "feel," golf tour professionals can consistently execute shots and make strategic decisions that set them apart.
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Frequently asked questions
Golf tour pros practice their putting in a variety of ways. Some pros practice with a training aid, such as a mirror, to check their alignment and eye position. They may also add drills to work on their stroke. Another method is to simulate tournament pressure by creating a game, such as surrounding a hole with tees and challenging themselves to make a set number of putts in a row. They may also practice putting in a ladder format, starting with a short putt and gradually increasing the distance to maintain competitive pressure.
Amateurs tend to focus on hitting the ball straight and perfecting their swing, which gives an "illusion of competence" but does not necessarily lead to lower scores. They also tend to hit a lot of 7-irons and drivers, whereas pros focus more on wedges and drivers. Amateurs also tend to neglect practicing bunker shots, which are important to master.
Golf tour pros focus on replicating real-round situations during practice. They work on different shots they will encounter on the course rather than repeating the same club twice in succession. They also focus on the "feel" for different shots rather than constantly reviewing their swing on video. Additionally, it is important to identify your weaknesses and tailor your practice sessions accordingly, which can be done through stat-tracking systems. Lastly, it is crucial to eliminate distractions and maintain full focus during practice.
