Delo’s Divots: Going out to the driving range and practicing is
a good thing. You will always improve with practice. But if you
want to improve even more, challenge yourself while you are on the
range. There are many ways you can do this.
Going out to the driving range and practicing is a good thing. You will always improve with practice. But if you want to improve even more, challenge yourself while you are on the range. There are many ways you can do this.
First off, if you are not required to hit off mats, then don’t. Driving range mats give a false sense of security. You can hit an inch behind the ball and the club will slide right into the ball, and the result will be a good shot.
Instead, hit of grass whenever you can, and don’t give yourself a perfect lie. The tougher you make it on yourself, the more you will improve.
Secondly, play games when you practice. Visualize a shot or hole that you need to play, and practice that shot. Maybe it is the second hole at Gavilan or the eighth hole at Eagle Ridge. Set up and tell yourself that you must hit the ball straight or a little to the left to keep the ball playable. Or, you are hitting an iron shot at the fifth hole at Gilroy Golf Course. Don’t go left of your target or your ball is bouncing down the hill some 20 yards from the green.
Practice can be as fun as you make it. Challenging yourself is just one way to accomplish this.
