For the first time this semester, Golf Performance Enhancement met outside – at Bear Creek in Chandler because Western Skies’ putting and chipping greens are being re-seeded. When we got there, the greens at Bear Creek were being aerated, so we had to improvise by moving the entire class out onto the driving range. In Golf Performance Enhancement, we’re always talking about different ways of practicing. You want to practice like you play, and going to the driving range and hitting a bunch of balls in succession is a terrible replication of play. In a tournament, you could go five or even ten minutes between shots sometimes.
The 30-Ball Practice Drill is a great way to practice like you play. Use only one ball at a time, and focus on one task at a time. Don’t stand there with a pile of balls in front of you. That tells your mind that the task is to make the pile of balls go away. The 30-Ball Practice Drill is about learning to hit quality golf shots.
Start with the short game tasks first. The maximum number of balls to accomplish each task is 30. Try to ingrain a pre-shot and post-shot routine to allow each shot to come out of you more often. This is called focused practice. Learn how to think while preparing to swing the club. The only way to learn to be truly engaged on the course is by being truly engaged when you are practicing.
1.) Make three six-foot putts. Two-putt three 30-foot putts. Two-putt three 60-foot putts. Start out by performing each task three times. Make it more difficult by performing each task three consecutive times.
2.) Hit three good short chip shots. Hit three good long chip shots. If it takes you three shots to hit one good short chip, write down 1/3. Ideally, the you want to chip within one-putt distance. Move to the next step only after you have chipped and one-putted.
3.) Hit three good short pitch shots. Hit three good long pitch shots. Same as above. Make them shots you have to think about. Remember, you are also learning the process.
4.) Hit three good short sand shots. Hit three good long sand shots. Same as above. But this time, focus on the outcome instead of the process to find your comfort zone.
5.) Hit one good full sand wedge. Be happy with all aspects: intention, attention, commitment, execution, and post-shot routine.
6.) Hit one good full pitching wedge. Good is something you feel, not something you judge.
7.) Hit one good full 9-iron. Come to expect to hit good shots. Progress is when the norm moves to a different level.
8.) Hit one good full shot, choosing a club between 4-iron and 8-iron. Later on, pick a club you aren’t comfortable with in order to expand you comfort zone.
9.) Hit one good full shot, choosing a club between 3-iron and 3-wood. Be really satisfied with this shot.
10.) Hit two good drives. Start by hitting two good drives before expanding to hit two good drives consecutively.