Shooting balls into the dark all winter is pointless. Fabian Bünker shows five exciting alternatives to advance your game.
Knowing not all golfers can dedicate much time to training, here are five long-game training tips you can apply at any driving range even with limited time.
1. Assess Your Shot Quality
Take 30 balls and hit each with a different club towards a different target. Perform a routine before each shot as if on the course or in a tournament. After each shot, grade the quality from 1 (very good) to 6 (poor). This boosts concentration and motivates improvement.
2. Tai Chi Swing Practice
This requires high concentration and a quiet environment. Perform your swing or the parts you want to change in slow motion to feel every movement consciously. Closing your eyes helps strengthen the mental image. Start without a ball and gradually increase swing speed from 30% to 90%, avoiding full speed on the course to maintain control.
3. Practice the Draw
A draw curves from right to left starting slightly right of the target line. Swing the club from inside out with a slightly closed clubface to the swing path. This is especially good if you usually hit a slice, as it helps counteract it.
4. Practice the Fade
The fade curves left to right. To hit a fade, swing from outside in with a slightly open clubface. For both curves, seek professional guidance to address individual swing adjustments for consistent play.
5. Focus on Specific Body Parts
If you take lessons, try concentrating on one body part during your swings, such as your left wrist. Feel its movement and position to reinforce technical improvements from your coaching. This focused practice increases swing stability.
Whether refining technique or just hitting balls, these tips add valuable variety to your winter training on the range!