In a 2002 interview, in what is now known as the “We talking about practice!” interview, Allen Iverson disparagingly mentioned the word practice a total of 22 times. “Not a game, practice!” he said. Most athletes despise practice and can’t wait until game time. The greats fall in love with practice, not just the game. It is, however, not just any old haphazard practice that counts; Instead, it is the purposeful, deliberate practice that matters.
Walk by any driving range in town and you will find the vast majority of golfers engaging in what is called, “Turn and Rake” practice. Mindless, rhythmic practice that lacks purpose not only does not lead to improvement but reinforces bad habits. Turn and Rake range time does not simulate a true competitive environment and leads to more frustration and confusion. This approach to practice lacks focus, purpose, and intention. To break these habits, one must identify specific technical skills to improve, enlist a quality-over-quantity approach, and enjoy the process of attempting to improve.
First, start by truly warming up (hitting balls without care or concern about any outcome other than getting your body warm/loose). Then, set a ten-minute timer and work on a specific skill with focus and intention, attempting to create muscle memory. Too often, golfers are thinking about the technical aspects of their swing while in competitive environments. Instead, make sure to leave the analytical thinking about your swing on the range. Finally, create a game/competition with yourself or others, be precise with your targets (instead of hitting aimlessly). You can repeat the technical/competitive portions for as many rounds as you’d prefer. When your practice becomes more purposeful, you will see commensurate improvements.
Are you practicing with purpose?
If not, what parts of your game do you want to work on with deliberate intention?