Work on the range

People often ask me: ‘Why can’t I perform the way I do on the driving range once I get out onto the course?’

Although there is no ‘one’ answer to this question, often it is down to the fact that we do not prepare ourselves properly. In order to give yourself a chance to play to the best of your ability on the course, it is important to create a little competitive pressure in your practice.

On the driving range, it is easy to stand there shelling balls aimlessly. We need to have a specific target in order to narrow the field of our focus. If you are practicing your 7 iron, pick a pin to aim at and if you are using your driver, mark out an imaginary fairway in your mind.

Visualise your first tee shot, go through your pre-shot routine and execute the shot. Challenge yourself to hit the imaginary fairway three times in a row before moving on. Create some pressure and don’t leave the range until you have achieved your goal.

Another big difference between the driving range and the golf course is that you do not always have a perfect lie when you find your ball on the course. Whether you play off a mat at Awali Golf Club or on the undulating fairways of the Royal Golf Club, it is important that you find the time to practice from the lies that you will likely encounter out on the course.

Finally, it is important that you do not underestimate the pressure that you will inevitably feel when playing in front of other people. Over time, it becomes easier to do but initially, it is a good idea to do some work on the range to combat this pressure.

On the range, ask one of your playing partners to watch you, call the shot you are going to hit, for example, ‘I’m going to hit the ball at the red flag at 125 yards’, go through your routine and pull the trigger. Having another pair of eyes judging your ability to play will certainly force you to be more accountable for your shots.

As with any aspect of golf, prior practice prevents poor performance! Get out there on the range and work on some of the ideas.

For more information on this topic or to find out more about the golf coaching services offered at Awali Golf Club, please contact me on 39761873.

Good luck and happy golfing!