PRACTICING LIKE THE PROS
by Dr. Rick Jensen
How many golfers do you know that have taken many lessons, read
numerous books, and been to several golf schools, and yet you see
very little improvement in their game over time? In the game of golf,
increased knowledge does not necessarily result in improvement. For
many players, access to too much knowledge can be a dangerous thing
and may even inhibit progress. The disease of "information overload"
is all too prevalent in the game of golf, and yes, it is
contagious! Have you been infected? Take the following
self-assessment:
Do you find yourself working on a different swing
key each time you play?
Do you subscribe to any magazine that
has the word "golf" in the title?
Do you take advice from anyone who has some to give?
Do you spend more time tinkering than you do
practicing one specific drill?
Do you approach the game of golf like a "wine-taster" -
trying a little bit of this and a little bit of that?
If you answered "Yes" to many of the above questions, you may be
infected with "information overload." Don't worry - the disease is
treatable. Your prescription would read, "Practice like the pros."
Touring pros have the ability to get the most out of their practice
time by always practicing with a purpose, obtaining regular
instruction and feedback from their pro, and repeating the same
motion thousands of times. It is not uncommon for a touring pro to
hit hundreds of balls in a row, focusing only on one swing key.
You may have heard the phrase, "Practice doesn't make perfect -
perfect practice makes perfect." So just what is "perfect practice?"
Perfect practice can only be accomplished when you know exactly what
it is that you are trying to achieve. It means that when you go to
the range, you have a plan and know specifically what skills you are
there to develop. When you get to the range, you must know ahead of
time the drills, exercises, and practice strategies that you will be
executing during that practice session.
Unfortunately, many golfers get to the range without a plan;
instead, they begin hitting balls and then do a quick-and-dirty
assessment of what they may need to work on at that time. Rather than
attempting to identify problems in your swing each time you get to
the range, you should instead refer to your pre-established practice
goals to determine what drills you will be doing on that day.
Often, golfers spend practice time socializing with their friends
or partaking in non-productive activities that may be enjoyable but
do not relate to their practice goals. These golfers often feel like
they are putting the time in, yet not seeing any improvement. Do you
waste time socializing during practice? Do you spend time trying new
skills that are not part of your intended plan for progress? Do you
spend time helping others when you should be working on your own
game?
Ask yourself, "What percentage of my practice time is productive?"
Perfect practice includes your ability to make sure that your
practice time is focused in a specific direction. This discipline
approach to training will allow you to achieve maximum skill
development - your ultimate training goal. Even if you can't practice
"as much as" the pros, you can "practice like the pros." Make the
most of your practice time and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Dr. Rick Jensen is President of the
Performance Enhancement Center of Boca Raton and the Director of
Sport Psychology at the Academy of Golf, PGA National Resort and Spa.
He works extensively with touring pros on the PGA, LPGA, Nike and
Golden Bear Tours, and is a frequent lecturer at golf clubs
nationwide. He can be reached at 561-852-3603. Email:
Rjensen@Floridagolfing.com
