As a golf coach I see many people working on their games at the driving range. Looking and hoping to find the secret to make them play better the next time they play. Often, achieving completely the opposite!!!
Over the last 12 months I have been learning and researching how players can improve their on course performance.
A book that has had a huge impact on my beliefs and understanding is “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle. In his book Daniel looks at what talent is and what it takes to become “talented” For years it has been assumed that people who have talent were born with it!! This, by all accounts, is not true and talent can be learnt/developed.
One of things that is needed is what Daniel calls “Deep Practice” I will talk more about how I have interpreted this is future posts, but I wanted to share with you a number of ways that you could improve your time at the driving range.
Here are a few of the rules that I coach my players when they practice on the driving range
- Clubs and golf balls should be placed well behind the mat
- After EVERY shot you should move off the mat.
- After EVERY shot you should change club, target, shot (Just like you would when you play on the golf course) NEVER hit the same shot twice
- Reflect on EVERY shot that you hit, write down in a notebook your thoughts and feelings.
I have put together some drill sheets that you should take to the range and try. There is an 18 ball drill, 36 ball drill and a 72 ball drill. All of the shots are very different, they will test EVERY part of your long game. It will develop the transferable skills that are needed to develop your on course games.
Please feedback to me how your DEEP PRACTICE went, how long each drill takes, how it improved your on course play.
I look forward to hearing from you. ENJOY
