Create a game plan
When evaluating a new student for the first time, after a few
questions and a swing analysis, we’ll create a game plan.
What the game plan entails is a strategy to improve in areas
where we feel needs the most work. Example question: Where do you
lose most of your strokes? A common response is inconsistency.
Where? Oh, off the tee maybe, or around the greens, et cetera. The
majority of the time, the student doesn’t know.
Create a game plan
When evaluating a new student for the first time, after a few questions and a swing analysis, we’ll create a game plan.
What the game plan entails is a strategy to improve in areas where we feel needs the most work. Example question: Where do you lose most of your strokes? A common response is inconsistency. Where? Oh, off the tee maybe, or around the greens, et cetera. The majority of the time, the student doesn’t know.
On the PGA Tour, players know where they’re throwing strokes away. They keep stats on all aspects of every round. Examples: fairways and greens hit in regulation, up-and-downs from off the green, putting stats, number of putts, strokes and measured distance. After the round, they study the report and assess each hole shot per shot.
Before your next round, grab an extra scorecard for the course you’re playing. In the first box, where you enter your name, write fairways; the box below, mark greens, then putts and, lastly, up-and-downs. Depending upon your level of play, as you complete each hole, place a check mark in the box where you achieved your goal.
Example: For a low handicap player, the objective is to hit the fairway and hit the green in two shots and, hopefully, one- or two-putt. If the first hole is a par 4, and you hit the fairway off the tee, put a check mark in the box marked fairway. If you hit the green in two strokes, check the box marked greens. Once you reach the green, count how many putts. Continue hole by hole. When you complete the round, check the report card to see how you did.
If you’re hitting most of the fairways, but few greens in regulation, chances are you need to work on your approach shots; same applies for up-and-downs and putts. Evaluate each area to see where you need improvement. Next time you head to the practice tee, work on the specific areas you’re struggling with instead of just beating balls. Keeping track of your stats eliminates guessing and gets you on the right track for improvement.
Don Leone is PGA Director of Instruction at Coyote Creek Golf Club. He can be reached for questions or help at 463-1800 ext. 118, or by e-mail at:
dl****@co*************.com
