Golf Tip
Presented by Jeff Ritter, Nike Golf Camp National Director
Driving Range or The Golf Course: A Healthy Balance
This tip is all about the balance between practicing and playing. For a younger golfer, or a developing golfer, it is way more important to spend your time playing on the golf course. We have been conditioned in this game to work on our swing, or to hone certain aspects of our game in relation to our ball striking ability.
The real secret to shooting a great round is understanding how to score. The only place you can learn how to score is the golf course. Through playing on the course you will find yourself in situations that are unnatural and different than what you see on the driving range. Playing competitive golf with your friends will always help develop your skills. Playing with other golfers around your skill level will allow you to see what they are struggling with, and how they are working to overcome these issues.
When I was a younger golfer, I was a pretty good junior, but I got really wrapped up in what my swing looked like. I was focusing on perfecting the stroke of my swing, and not focusing on a swing that worked for me. I was basing my swing off other golfers, and I was turning down opportunities to play so could work on my swing at the range. I would go for weeks at a time without playing a round of golf, only just practicing improving my swing. Looking back on these times, I can see how this hurt the progression of my golf game.
Play more than you practice. That is how you learn to score, that is how you learn to become a mentally tough player. This will also help you identify what other areas of your game do need work, and then you can practice those certain skills. Unless you are out there testing your game in real conditions it is very difficult to spend your practice time wisely on what you need to work on. That is our tip for this week! If you are wondering if you should be practicing or playing, the answer is playing! That is how you learn how to score and elevate your game.