In my previous article I discussed Expectation Management, one of two things which I felt was worthy of discussion and something to think about during Lockdown.  The second is your Comfort Zone.

When I see golfers practicing, whether that be at a driving range or on the course, they are doing so within their Comfort Zone.  By this I mean taking the easy option, which can help to build a golfers confidence.  Sounds great if that is the result, however so often it is not.

In a bid to find CONSISTENCY and repeatability, many golfers will stand practicing hitting the same shot, ball after ball, searching for that lightbulb moment when they ‘find’ what they have been looking for.  This can be described as practicing in ‘Swing Mode’.

There is always a time and a place for doing this, such as when learning a new skill or trying to ‘bed in’ a swing change.

The problem however, is you step onto a golf course and stand in the middle of the fairway with an awkward lie, or slightly between yardages, meaning that shot that you have been practicing all week is no longer relevant. 

This often results in a miss struck shot which meaning bogey or worse, following by the usual cursing and berating which can only do a golfer harm…..but remember, ”When you’re feeling glum, pop up your thumb”

PGA Tour Coach, Chris Como suggests:

“Repeatability does not necessarily come from trying to be repeatable. Learn to solve similar problems in a variety of different ways”

I could not agree with him more.  An example would be hitting a pitch shot 70 yards with every club in the bag, from lob wedge up to hybrid.  When I suggest this to golfers who I coach, by and large the most common response I get is “why am I doing this?”

It may seem a fair question at first glance, but picture the situation on the course.  You are stood to the left of the second fairway, behind the copse of Pines following what may be considered a ‘reasonable’ tee shot.  You are approximately 70 yards from the middle of the green.

Those who have been practicing the same shot with the same club may struggle to get the ball on the green.  But those golfers who have been experimenting with the same shot, using different clubs and different shots, may stand more of a chance, provided you are able to execute the shot 7 times out of 10 as I mentioned in my last article!!!!

This is ‘Skill mode’, something which I certainly did when I was a junior golfer.  I remember many hours were spent on the practice ground at Hornsea Golf Club with my fellow Junior members, seeing who could get the ball closest to the flag situated tight behind the bunker, from a tight lie with a 4 iron!  Or who could get the ball the farthest hitting a right handed club LEFT HANDED!

Seems like just something which ‘juniors’ just do, but when faced with a situation when I have no option but to play a shot left handed, when the ball is the wrong side of a bush/or tree, I have the confidence that I can advance the ball forward towards the flag, rather than just a simple chip out sideways, or worse taking a penalty drop.

When we return to golf, try this drill:

Using one club, hit 15 shots to different targets, and call the shot you are about to hit.  For example, a high ‘lob shot’ with a 7 iron which travels 50 yards, followed by a Low running draw which travels 100 yards sign.

There is always a place for practicing just ‘one’ swing, but always leave time to practice for those ‘unexpected’ circumstances.

Remember, PLAY GOLF, don’t play GOLF SWING!