Shooting balls into darkness all winter is pointless. Fabian Bünker shows five exciting alternatives to improve your game.Knowing not all golfers can spend extensive time training, here are five long game golf training tips you can practice efficiently on any driving range.
1. Assess the Quality of Your Shots
Take 30 balls and hit each with a different club toward different targets. Before each shot, follow a pre-shot routine like on the course or in a tournament. Afterwards, grade the quality from 1 (very good) to 6 (poor). This increases focus since no one wants to give themselves bad marks.
2. The Tai Chi Swing
This requires intense concentration in a calm environment. Perform your golf swing elements in extreme slow motion to feel every part and control them consciously. Closing your eyes helps enhance the internal image. Expert practitioners can time their Tai Chi swing precisely, aiming for 30 seconds to a minute.
Practice this at home without a ball or with practice balls if space allows, and at the driving range gradually increasing pace using a 30-60-90 percent tempo rule. Never hit full speed swings (100%) on course to avoid losing control.
Focus points for Tai Chi tempo swings:
• Give clear movement instructions
• Concentrate on one swing aspect
• Find a quiet place (turn off phones)
• Get external feedback (coach)
• Start without balls
3. Practice the Draw
A draw curves from right to left, starting slightly right of the target line and bending back. Swing the club from inside to outside feeling, with the clubface slightly closed to the swing path. If you tend to slice, this drill helps counteract it.
4. Practice the Fade
The fade curves left to right and is achieved by swinging the club from outside to inside with the clubface slightly open. No general technical tips are given because each golfer’s swing adjustments vary; professional coaching is recommended if you struggle.
5. Focus on Specific Body Parts
When working on swing technique during winter, smartphone videos may not provide proper angles for self-analysis. Instead, concentrate solely on one body part, like your left wrist, while hitting balls. Feel its movement and positioning. This method, especially aligned with coach feedback, enhances swing stability.
Whether improving technique or simply hitting balls, add variety to your range practice with these five tips!