Shooting balls into darkness all winter makes no sense. Fabian Bünker shows five exciting alternatives that will improve your long game.
Knowing that not all golfers have extensive time for practice, here are five training tips for your long game that you can do with limited time on any driving range.
1. Evaluate Your Shot Quality
Take 30 balls and hit each with a different club to a different target. Perform a routine before each shot as if on the course or in a tournament. After each shot, rate its quality from 1 (very good) to 6 (poor). This will heighten your concentration over time because nobody wants to give themselves bad marks.
2. Tai Chi Tempo Swing
This practice requires high concentration and a quiet setting. Perform your golf swing, especially the parts you want to improve, in very slow motion to feel every movement and control it consciously. Closing your eyes can help strengthen the internal image of the movement. Experts can time their Tai Chi swing precisely, for example 30 seconds to 1 minute long.
Practice indoors without a ball (unless you have enough space for air shots) or on the driving range, gradually increasing the tempo from 30% to 90% speed using the 30-60-90 rule. Avoid 100% intensity swings on the course to maintain control.
Focus points for Tai Chi tempo swings:
– Give clear movement instructions
– Concentrate on a single movement aspect
– Find a distraction-free environment
– Get feedback from a coach
– Start practicing without a ball
3. Practice the Draw and Fade
A draw is a ball flight curve from right to left, starting slightly right of the target and curving back to it. Swing the club from inside to outside with a slightly closed clubface relative to the swing path. This helps golfers who tend to slice the ball to correct their shot.
A fade curves from left to right and is practiced by reversing the draw technique: swing from outside to inside with a slightly open clubface. Since every golfer’s swing is unique, personalized coaching is recommended to master these flight shapes.
4. Focus on Specific Body Parts
To stabilize your swing over winter, focus on one body part at a time, such as the left wrist. Hit balls while concentrating solely on how that part moves during your swing to enhance feel and control. This technique complements lessons with a golf pro and can improve your confidence and swing stability.
Whether improving your technique or just hitting some balls, incorporate these varied exercises into your training routine for better results.