Shooting balls blindly into the dark winter is pointless. Fabian Bünker shows five exciting alternatives to improve your game.Knowing that not all players have ample time for golf training, here are five effective long game training tips you can do on any driving range, even with limited time.
1. Assess the Quality of Your Shots
Take 30 balls and hit each one with a different club towards a different target. Before each shot, perform a routine similar to that on the course or in a tournament. After each shot, grade it from 1 (very good) to 6 (poor). This practice will gradually increase your concentration, as no one wants to give themselves bad marks.
2. Tai Chi Swing
This exercise requires high concentration and a quiet environment. Swing your golf club in slow motion, focusing on the movements you want to change. Closing your eyes can enhance your internal visualization. Advanced players can time their Tai Chi golf swings precisely, aiming for durations like 30 seconds or 1 minute.
Practice it at home without a ball or at the driving range, gradually increasing your tempo using the 30-60-90 rule. Start with 30% speed, then progress to 60%, and finally 90%. Avoid 100% speed swings during practice to maintain control.
Key Tips for Tai Chi Tempo Swings:
• Give clear movement instructions to yourself
• Focus on one swing aspect at a time (e.g., first part of backswing)
• Find a calm environment (turn off your phone)
• Get feedback from a coach
• Practice swings without a ball initially
3. Practice the Draw
The draw flight curve moves from right to left. The ball starts slightly right of your target line and curves back to the left towards the target. To hit a draw, swing the club from inside to outside, feeling like you are swinging the club well right of the target. The clubface should be slightly closed relative to the swing path. This exercise is ideal if you usually slice the ball, as it helps correct that.
4. Practice the Fade
Occasionally, try hitting a fade, a flight curve going from left to right. Simply do the opposite of the draw: swing from outside to inside with a slightly open clubface relative to the swing path. I don’t provide specific technique tips for these shots because individual swings differ. If you struggle with either shot, consider lessons with a pro who can tailor advice to your swing.
5. Focus on Individual Body Parts
If you take lessons and want to stabilize your swing over winter, technique training alone can be challenging without visual feedback. While smartphones can record your swing, angles might not be optimal, and self-analysis is difficult.
Instead, concentrate on one body part during your swing, like your left wrist. Hit balls focusing solely on the feel and movement of that part. This focus helps internalize improvements made with your coach. For example, if working on lowering your arms during the downswing, concentrate on your right elbow’s position. This exercise can bring greater confidence to your technique.
Whether refining your technique or just hitting balls