Do you feel like you are practicing a lot but doesn’t play better on the course? I hear this from many players who come to see me. But it isn’t what they are training but HOW they are practicing which is preventing them from improving.
There are two types of practice, and both are important to becoming a better golfer. However, you need to understand the difference between them and know when to use each one. The first is practice blockand the second is random (or variable) practice.
Here’s how each one works.
Block practice
Locking practice is when you are working on your technique and trying to change or make permanent a specific position or movement in your swing. An example would be working on making your curve straighter. This type of practice should focus completely on the process of making that change, focusing on the feeling, thought or image of movement you are trying to create.
During block practice, you should worry less about the outcome or where the ball is going and instead focus on the process and mechanics of the shot. change of pace. This type of practice is most effective when you make a technical change in your swing.
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Variable practice
Casual or swing practice is when you hit shots with a target in mind, and the goal is to get the ball as close to that target as possible. This practice involves changing targets with each shot, just like you do on the course. The emphasis is on selecting a target, visualizing the flight of the ball and executing the shot. This type of practice should occur when you feel confident in your technique and want to sharpen your touch, feel and performance.
What I see players struggle with is when they try to work on their technique AND achieving a great result at the same time. This kind of practice is frustrating because they end up not doing well at all. Improvement takes longer because they are trying to accomplish too much at once, which limits success in each area.
The best way to practice is to focus on one thing at a time and stay fully committed to that specific objective. If you are working in technique, stay focused on the process and pay less attention to the result. This means hitting the same club and the same shot repeatedly while working on the technique change.
Once this change is improved and under control, shift your focus to the target and your ability to execute shots on that target. Do not confuse the two types of practice. Do one or the other, and you’ll see the quality of your practice improve—and your improvement in the course will come much faster.
