Shooting balls into the dark all winter is pointless. Fabian Bünker shares five exciting alternatives to improve your game.
Knowing that not all golfers can invest a lot of time in training, here are five effective training tips for your long game that you can implement with limited time at any driving range.
1. Assess Your Shot Quality
Take 30 balls and hit each with a different club targeting a different area. Perform a pre-shot routine as if on the course or in a tournament. After each shot, grade the shot quality from 1 (very good) to 6 (poor). This exercise sharpens concentration, as nobody wants to give themselves bad scores.
2. Tai Chi Swing
This requires high concentration in a quiet environment. Swing your golf club in slow motion focusing on the parts you want to change. Closing your eyes can help to visualize the movement. Practiced golfers can time their Tai Chi swing, aiming for durations like 30 seconds or 1 minute.
At home, do this without a ball unless space permits hitting practice or air shots. At the driving range, gradually increase tempo using the 30-60-90 rule: start at 30%, then 60%, finishing at 90% speed. Avoid 100% swing tempo on the course as control is lost.
Key tips for Tai Chi tempo swings include:
• Clear movement instructions
• Focus on one swing aspect
• Quiet environment (turn off phone)
• Get feedback from a coach
• Start without a ball
3. Practice the Draw
The draw is a ball flight from right to left. The ball starts slightly right of the target line and curves left back to the target. Hit a draw by swinging the club from inside to outside, feeling like swinging the club far right of the target, with the clubface slightly closed relative to the swing path. This drill helps players who tend to slice the ball to work against the slice.
4. Practice the Fade
Try hitting a fade, which curves left to right. Simply reverse the draw technique: swing from outside to inside with a slightly open clubface relative to the swing path. No specific technical tips are given as each golfer needs personalized adjustments. With difficulties, consider lessons with a pro who can help you achieve these shot shapes.
5. Focus on Specific Body Parts
If you take lessons, try to stabilize your swing over the winter by focusing on one body part during practice, e.g., your left wrist. Hit balls concentrating solely on that part’s movement and feel. This builds awareness and can reinforce changes made with your coach. For example, concentrate on your right elbow if you are working on arm position in the downswing. This method brings confidence and improves technique.
Whether working on technique or just hitting balls, add variety with these training tips to your practice!