Not a game …. “We’re talkin’ bout practice” were the iconic words from Allen Iverson during his post-game interview in 2002. Allen was adamant about inferring the difference between practice and competition, and he was right! In football, players practice on the football field. In baseball, players practice on the baseball field. In tennis, players practice on the tennis court. Golf is the only sport where our playing environment is profoundly different and more challenging than our practice environment.
In golf, the average practice environment has little, if any variables. Whereas the course provides many obstacles and extreme challenges. Fundamentally, golf courses take on a different degree of challenge due to course set-up, the nature of each hole, the shots needed to navigate those holes, and then there are the environmental variables such as grass, rough, sand, wind, bushes, trees, houses, water hazards, out of bounds, … you get the point. There is an unlimited number of environmental variables that make the golf course more difficult than the practice range.
What we can’t do is build a “practice course” but we can find subtle ways to emulate the course environment. By incorporating a few diverse, unusual, yet effective training regimens, we can be on our way to playing better golf.
First, let’s talk about the ideal practice environment. Note to reader, everyone will have a different ideal practice environment. Factors like skill level, competitive tournament schedule, strengths and weaknesses, and practice environments are just a few things that will shape and alter your practice.
So let’s break it down. Practice can be categorized in many different ways. However, for the purposes of this article, let’s explain the three main ways golfers practice.
Technical – Acquiring the proper technique by changing your motor pattern(s)
Skill Development – Measuring how well you retain your technical changes in practice with drills/games
Performance 101 & Competition – Practicing with pressure and simulating a competitive environment
We also encourage our players to set long-term and short-term practice “plans” or schedules in advance….
· Long(er) Term Schedule: 6-weeks in advance, plan out which phase of practice you plan to be in during that given week. (Technical, Skill or Performance)
· Short Term Schedule: a weekly running practice calendar
The best players in golf are also the best at reflecting and assessing their past practices or competitions. I commonly see this displayed by the best players in our sport.
Here are some additional questions you can ask yourself for practice…
The 3 C’s
· Context
o Why? Why am I practicing today? (Technique, skills, performance, prep?)
· Content
o What am I training today?
o What kind of drills am I doing today?
o What are you doing today to prepare you for your next tournament?
§ For example, “I’m playing a tournament with small greens so I’ll be working on hitting lots of chips and short putts as well as to smaller targets while holding myself accountable to PGA Tour wedge proximities.”
· Conclusion –
o If I could do that practice session over again, what would I do differently?
o What did I do well today in that practice session?
At ForeCollegeGolf, we encourage our players to use all three types of practice by creating a practice schedule with technical, skill, and performance practice distinctions. We hold our players accountable to not only keeping a regular practice schedule but also, make sure they are assessing and reflecting on their past practices and performances. Gaining feedback in order to learn, grow, and ultimately perform better is paramount to a player’s game!
Mike Smith is the Founder & CEO of ForeCollegeGolf and specializes in assisting junior golfers & their families through the college recruiting process. Email him @ mike.smith@forecollegegolf.com
