This practice game will simulate the pressure on the course.
GOLF.com
Welcome to Play Smarta regular GOLF.com game improvement column that will help you play smarter and better golf.
Golf is already hard enough, but when you add pressure to the mixtureit can make even the simplest shots feel impossible. Often, the best players are the ones who can handle those nerves the best.
The only way to improve under pressure is through experience. Putting yourself in those high-pressure situations every now and then is essential if you want to become a truly high-level player.
There’s no substitute for feeling those nerves under the gun, but there are ways you can try to simulate those feelings when you practice. For more contact us GOLF Teacher to watch Christy Longfield.
High pressure cutting game
For the practice game of Longfield, she recommends either carving 30 or 60 minutes on the green. If you choose 30 minutes, catch three balls, and if you choose 60 minutes, catch six.
The goal of this game is simple: try to sink a chip with one of the balls before the time runs out. The catch is, once you chip from one spot, you have to move to a new spot and a different lie.
“You’re going to take your balls and move to a new place,” says Longfield. “So you’ll never have the same (chip). Now you will have different grass conditions, different distance, different slopes. Similar to course practice.”
When you make a chip with one of the balls, you can remove it from the roll. Once you make a chip, you will have fewer opportunities at the next station to putt the ball. Once you reach your last ball, you’ll only have one shot at each new spot to make it.
“The further you go, the harder it gets,” says Longfield.
