| Practice is important in any sport and golf | | | | on the practice range even if it is your |
| is no exception. To really improve your game | | | | seven iron that needs the work. For example, |
| you must spend time fine tuning your swing. | | | | to work on your seven iron try hitting your |
| But many golfers simply "hit balls" on the | | | | seven a few times, then hit a 3-wood a couple |
| practice range without checking to see if | | | | of times, then hit a four-iron, then a wedge, |
| they are improving. Here are some tips to | | | | then back to the seven for a few shots. This |
| help measure the effectiveness of your | | | | will help you practice your set-up routine |
| practice sessions on the driving range. | | | | for various shots since usually you address |
| | | | the ball and take your stance slightly |
| First, you must identify your objective on | | | | differently for woods, low irons and high |
| the range. Some people are trying to fix a | | | | irons respectively. |
| slice or a hook while others are trying to | | | | |
| add distance to their shots. If you do not | | | | Fourth, do not be in a hurry. Take a break |
| know what your objective is you will not know | | | | for a minute or two after hitting a dozen |
| if you have achieved it. You may not have a | | | | balls or so. If you exhaust yourself you may |
| noticeable flaw to correct but you need to | | | | begin making poor swings due to your tiring |
| train your muscles so you can make good shots | | | | out that would almost never happen in a round |
| consistently. So hitting consistently is your | | | | of golf because on the course there is almost |
| objective in that case. Just make sure you | | | | always a few minutes between shots that |
| have a clear idea of your purpose. | | | | require a full swing. |
| | | | |
| Second, it does not matter too much if you | | | | Finally, take time at home some evening to |
| quit slicing or hooking the ball, or if you | | | | write down on an index card the swing keys |
| add 30 yards to your drive if your shots are | | | | that help you prepare for taking a golf shot. |
| spraying to the left or right. You may have | | | | Most people will have a list of five to eight |
| eliminated the slice in your ball flight, but | | | | things. Go through your set-up routine in |
| did the ball actually go towards your target? | | | | your mind and jot down, in order, what you do |
| I have heard people "oooh" and "ahhh" over | | | | to check your alignment, grip, stance, weight |
| their practice shots even though one went | | | | distribution, etc... and take that card with |
| well to the left of what appeared to be their | | | | you to the practice range. Then read it over |
| target line and the next went just as far to | | | | before EVERY practice shot for the first ten |
| the right. Make sure you identify a target | | | | or fifteen shots. Train your mind to go |
| and gauge if you are hitting the ball within | | | | through that list so it becomes a habit when |
| a few yards on either side of that target | | | | you are playing a round of golf. |
| until the balls rolls to a stop. | | | | |
| | | | Hopefully you will develop your own list of |
| Third, always hit a variety of clubs in a | | | | golf tips from your time spent on the |
| random order on the range. This will better | | | | practice range and you will graduate from |
| reflect how a real round of golf is played. | | | | just "hitting balls" to actually tuning your |
| You never hit your seven iron fifteen times | | | | swing by having a yard stick by which to |
| in a row on a normal round of golf so do not | | | | measure your results on the practice range. |
| get locked into hitting only your seven iron | | | | |