Whether you are trying to get down to a scratch handicap, or you are trying to break 80, 90, or even 100; all golfers are trying to improve their game. But it takes more than just playing a few extra rounds to become a better golfer. It takes not just practice, but the right kind of practice. That is why we had Flint Hills National golf pro and TGW’s resident product expert Rick Hatfield put together this four-part training routine to get your game ready.
1. Warmup/Pre-Contact
Warming up is important. You need to get loosened up and ready to swing before you ever hit a golf ball. To establish a good kinematic sequence, tempo, and stretch, players should warm up with either the Orange Whip Swing Trainer or the Jef World of Golf Flex Swing Trainer. Regardless of dexterity, as part of the warm-up routine players should swing both right- and left-handed. This allows you to get all of your muscles loose and help develop rhythm and timing as you prepare to hit shots.
The kinematic sequence is how the different parts of the body move and accelerate through the swing. For example, in your downswing, the proper sequence would be to lead with the hips, rotate the torso, then swing your arms, and release the club last. For a demonstration, see our video of the Golf Flex Swing Trainer in action.
2. Contact Drills
To promote more solid contact, Rick recommends players use the Michael Breed Smash Bag to achieve proper shaft angle at impact and avoid casting the club. With its ability to measure smash factor (a measure of solid contact) and launch angle, players should practice with the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor. The EyeLine Speed Trap also works well to help players correct swing path issues which also can result in poor contact.
See how the Michael Breed Smash Bag helps train proper contact by watching our video about this training aid.
Receiving instant feedback and visible metrics to track your golf swing is important. That’s why launch monitors are a valuable product to have while you’re practicing. The Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor is affordable, portable, and tracks everything you need for more product practice.
3. Short Game
For players to score well on any day, they have to have a solid short game. The ability to chip it close when an approach shot misses the green, and giving yourself a chance to get up and down with a one-putt, is crucial to carding better scores.
Rick enjoys using the EyeLine Golf Target Circles and would recommend players spend time chipping around the practice green with a specific number of shots in mind that must end up within a certain target circle. Experiment with different clubs, paying attention to the club that can produce the most success with the fewest attempts. Players might learn that it is not with their highest lofted wedge that they are most successful around the green.
Bunkers are no exception when it comes to practice. We have to give ourselves a chance to save par by hitting it close when we do find the sand. The Dave Pelz Bunker Board helps players understand and more importantly FEEL the proper bunker technique, helping you recover from missed approach shots.
4. Putting
With the ability to putt from different lengths at numerous targets and “zones”, the Well Putt Mats are great for any golfer looking to develop not only their aim, but their “feel”. Feel is the ability to control the speed of a putt and its exact stopping location. These are great because golfers can practice from the comfort of their own home – day and night. See how to use this important training tool in our video.
By following these four steps, you can develop a proper and more effective golf practice routine. Make sure you get a proper warm-up and loosen up your muscles, train for proper contact with all your clubs, spend time working on your short game where strokes can truly be saved, and train your putting to become more accurate. If you focus on these four areas, you will see results on the course. Be sure to visit TGW.com for all your practice needs and start shooting lower scores!
Looks more like an ad to promote training aids vs genuine advice. Would be interesting to add up the cost of all this stuff.
Tin Cuppish. Use the money to pay for a lesson by a pro with camera s. Have the lesson sent to your phone or computer. Most golfers that keep it under 80 have tendencies that re-occur. Buy an iPhone holder to re-cord yourself. Perception isn’t always reality. Nothing worse than grooving a flaw. You’ll learn what to look for in your swing and eventually will be able to make adjustments during a round. Good players miss shots but recover by knowing for them what caused a miss. Alignment sticks, camera holder and teaching pro will be a more productive use of your moolah getting to a single digit handicap. You can then get a rebate from your golf buddies😎