W
e watch them week after week.
We're familiar with their swings,
how they approach a golf course,
and the equipment they use.
But what most of us don't know, or bother to
emulate, when it comes to the professional
golfers we watch and admire is how they prac-
tice. That doesn't mean practicing as often and
intensely as golfers who make their living
shooting low scores. And by no means does
it mean hitting ball after ball with your driver
trying to match their prodigious tee shots.
What it does mean is approaching practice
from a different perspective, one in which your
routine is consistent, mapped out, and focused
as much on the short game and on-course re-
sults as it is on swing mechanics.
"Many amateurs waste too much time on the
driving range hitting ball after ball and practic-
ing with clubs they will use only 10 to 20 per-
cent of the time," says Derek Nannen, Director
of Instruction at Eagle Mountain Golf Club in
Fountain Hills, Ariz. "Professionals go to the
range with a specific plan on what area of their
game they want to improve."
In some cases, Nannen says, it will be funda-
mentals or swing plane issues, but each practice
session will include a significant amount of
time on the short game.
"Remember, 75 percent of your score comes
from within 75 yards of the flag," he said. "So
try to spend at least part of every practice ses-
sion using your short-game clubs. This will
help improve your scores faster than any other
clubs in your bag."
FROM THE PRACTICE TEE
TO THE GOLF COURSE
Another key aspect is to create practice rou-
tines that lead to performance on the course.
That means not just working on your swing
technique, says Jeff Fisher, Director of
fi
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YOUR GAME
OB SPORTS GOLF & LEISURE
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WINTER 2014
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obsports.com
TRAINING GROUND
n Here's how the Tour pros practice their game on the driving range BY jim dover
< The range at Tijeras Creek Golf Club features
specific targets ideal for quality practice sessions.
