I’ve played sports my entire life, so I’ve participated in more practices that I could possibly count. They aren’t always something to look forward to, for instance basketball would consist of a lot of sprints, running a play so often you can do it blindfolded, or maybe a drill taking charges where you repeatedly take a shoulder or knee to the chest and hoping it hurts less than the previous time. Golf is different but not different.
In terms of needing practice to get better, that is obvious. If you expect to shave 10 strokes off your game just by showing up to weekend rounds with the boys and drinking a dozen beers without putting in any effort to improve, then you are very mistaken. Like anything else in this world, you have to put the work in.
Now this doesn’t mean you need to be getting up at 5am every morning to go do a 2 hour range session, then come back and study film and then hitting putts on your practice mat until your hands bleed. In fact as an amateur golfer, its quite enjoyable if you love the sport. Something is better than nothing. Take a couple lessons if you can, pick the brains of every golfer you come across that has something to offer, and DEFINITELY spend some time on the range.
I personally love going to the range. I put in my headphones, bring a Gatorade or coffee if I need it, and just get to work. I don’t usually spend more than an hour there, I’ll stretch a little, go through my bucket, and then use the putting green if its open. Its tough when you first start out, but after a little while you start to learn what you are doing wrong and adjust it on the next swing. I would go through an 20 or 30 range balls slicing all of them and the suddenly realize, oh hey you idiot you were bending your elbow this whole time! Or whatever the case may be. This is also why taking some lessons is so helpful, so you can learn the proper technique and understand what you should be doing versus what you are doing.
There’s no right or wrong way to utilize the range. You will probably want to warm up with a wedge, and although eventually you will hone in on what you need to work on, you can start out by doing whatever you want. If you want to hit your irons only, or your driver, maybe work on stingers, the only thing you should want to get out of it is improvement. If you sliced nearly all of your drives the last time you played, maybe work on that. I do however recommend that you always try to get a little putting in each time. No better way to get better at putting than by putting.
If you plan on sticking with golf – which everyone should do (but not at the times I play, don’t be crowding whatever course I’m at!), then put in the work. Have fun with it! Put your favorite playlist on, go enjoy the sunshine and exercise! Look up drills you can work on, and take videos of your swing so you can see where you may be able to improve. Soon enough you’ll be getting better and having more fun out there, and beating all your friends which is always a sweet feeling.
2 OFF THE TEE 