Isn't it a fact of life that the first person who teaches one about a topic or a skill remains in one's mind more than any other.

This is as it is for me.

My first professional said many things to me but one of the most sage was that not only should one practice to improve one's golf, but one should practice ALONG THE RIGHT LINES.

I have thought about this over the years, and have put his advice to good use.

So often one sees people on the practice fairway hitting ball after ball, spraying them over a wide area.

These people do not improve very much because they are not practising along the right lines. They are practising their faults. Their golf swing remains the same, good or not so good.

How often do you see someone hitting short wedges to 50 to 80 yards for say two hours, and then go home.

No, they hit a few chips, and then graduate to hitting longer shots.

I believe that one should practice as often as possible for a week or two using just 2 clubs. For example the sand and pitching wedges.

With these clubs, practice simulating varying conditions, for example, imagine having to hit over a bunker and stop the ball quickly. Hit out of a bad lie, hard pan, a divot. Practice different down swings to make the ball do different things.

Experiment with depth of divot to vary the spin.

Become skilled in what you do so that when a situation comes up on the course, you have practised the shot many times at practice.

Practice hitting the club different distances. Hit low shots, high shots. Increase your arsenal of shots with the one club.

Do this with every club in your bag, and spend a week or two with each, doing the same thing as you did with your wedges.

Your shot making will improve greatly and you will have more one put greens thus lowering your score and your handicap.

By practising in this manner, your mental game will improve greatly. Your confidence to make a certain shot when it is needed will be sufficient to allow you to pull it off.

About the Author

Bill Maitland is a thinking, inventive golf guru. He thought out and developed simple techniques and tips which enabled him to lower his handicap from 25 to 18, then from 18 to 15, and finally from 15 to 12. He is a passionate golfer, and delights in helping others with their game should they want his help. To learn about his tips and simple techniques,

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