Last Updated on August 8, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
I love to practice. I always have, I find it relaxing, helpful for my game and overall enjoyable. However, I can’t tell you that my practice has always helped me get better at golf. At times, I’ve neglected focusing on the right things, and practicing the right way and it’s cost me more than just my time. Take a look at these 7 warning signs you’re practicing golf all wrong.
You Experience Pain During or After Practice
Golf practice shouldn’t hurt. If you walk off the practice tee and your back, shoulders, wrists or any part of your body is hurting, you are doing something wrong.
Always make sure you stretch before you practice to help avoid injury.
You Have No Clear Focus During Practice
Hitting golf balls with no real target or focus is just a form of exercise. It’s not golf practice. If you are not thinking about what you are trying to do, you’ll struggle to lower your golf scores. You have to choose a specific goal, whether it be working on your weight transfer, trying to hit a draw, or simply getting the ball up off the ground.
Focus while you are on the range so you can focus again when you are on the course.
Your Stats Aren’t Improving
Track your stats.
Look to see if you are missing fewer fairways, hitting shots closer to the hole, taking fewer putts, etc. Even if you find that it’s taking you one less shot to get out of a bunker or you are hitting your driver five yards further, it’s well worth your practice time. Keep track of your stats so you know whether your practice is working.
You’re Not Seeing Progress in Your Swing Mechanics
Take a video of your swing every few months. Even if you don’t know how to analyze it yourself, you can plug it into a swing analysis app and look for differences between your game and that of the professionals. If things look the same from month to month, you aren’t making enough positive progress.
Start to really look deeper into the issues in your game. Considering working on some new drills.
Your Mental Game is Suffering
Are you getting more frustrated on the golf course?
Have you lost your confidence?
You may be overdoing your practice sessions. Mental toughness and clarity are important in golf, but your practice should build you up, not break you down.
When your mental game struggles, take a week off from practice and see what it can do.
Your Scores are Stagnant or Getting Worse
You knew this one was coming.
Check your handicap and see which way it’s trending. However, if you are working on implementing a new swing concept or method, give yourself a few months to get it working.
Effective practice should translate to better on-course performance, but it may take a little time for this to happen.
You’re Not Enjoying Practice Anymore
Practice should not be a chore. If you are no longer enjoying your time on the driving range, figure out what is causing this. Sometimes, the routine is the same every time. Other times, you are not bringing enough of a challenge into it. Find a way to make practice fun and enjoyable.
Stop practicing golf all wrong and you’ll see a big difference in your scoring abilities on the golf course.
