How to Take your Range Game to the Course

Commonly students of the game will say, “Coach, I go to the range and hit the ball great. I pick the right clubs, I hit the ball straight. Then I go to the course and it is a whole new game. I can’t seem to find the ball at all!”

Let’s discuss why this happens and make a step by step plan so this never happens again.

The main reason why golfers are unable to take their range game to the course is because they never PRACTICE playing golf (trusting the golf swing)! They practice (very poorly) training the golf swing and then expect to be able to walk onto the first tee, and play the game in the same mental consciousness as they did on the range when they were training the swing.

The driving range is a place where primarily two things need to be practiced:

1. Training of the golf swing
2. Trusting of the golf swing

Training the golf swing consists of repeatedly working on mechanics (i.e. shoulder turn, a straight left arm, hip turn, etc.) to improve the swing itself from a geometric perspective.

Trusting the golf swing consists of going through the pre shot routine and executing a shot just as one would on the golf course.

Here is the way practice should be utilized to become most effective for improvement and long term results.

1. Know exactly what you want to work on when you go to the practice facility. (for example shoulder turn at the top of the backswing)
2. Focus on that ONE key for about half of the time that you have to be at the practice facility.
3. After working on the one key, begin to go through your routine and trust your swing.

Here are a few key points on how to trust your swing:

1. Focus on the target. Make your target three key things (remember the word PEP)
1. Precise – not a tree, but a tree limb
2. Elevated – above ground level
3. Positive – a mountain peak or the cactus in the distance, never the water or a hazard

2. Maintain a balanced tempo
1. Use a key word and say it aloud – Seventeen, Ernie Els, Coke-a-Cola. The seven in seventeen (the first two syllables) represents the completion of your backswing, the teen represents the impact.
2. Count to four – 1, 2, 3, 4. On one, look at the target. On two, look at the ball. On three complete your backswing. On four, impact the ball. Each number should be said with even time intervals between one another. It may take some 2 seconds to count to four, it may take 5 seconds. Just be consistent with the tempo of the count.

3. Develop a consistent routine
1. Make your routine some where between 5-15 seconds long
2. Have a “trigger” that mentally starts your routine (i.e. when your glove is pulled tight, when you pull up your left sleeve, when your hands touch the grip, etc.)
3. Watch major championship events on television and see what the best players in the world do in their routine. Then, emulate it, or even better, go to a professional event and follow one player all day. Their routine never wavers!

Now – go to the range, practice training and trusting the golf swing and play like you practice! Post your comments for feedback from Thomas Gibbs. 

For more, visit http://www.gibbsgolf.com