Embedded Files
PODCAST OUT NOW!! APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS!
This is the page that we may feel like writing about our day's adventures, and could give some insight into our minds while playing the game.
This is the page that we may feel like writing about our day's adventures, and could give some insight into our minds while playing the game.
Short Game (Chipping and Pitching) Practice Routines
by Chris Hurlbut
9/30/2023
Well, I was getting ready to play a round of golf at William Devine at Franklin Park this past week and was killing some time before my tee time on the practice chipping green. I'm usually pretty dialed in and focused on the task at hand, but couldn't help but notice a fellow golfer that started practicing nearby. They had one of those tubes that hold 15-20 balls and were rifling off 15-20 yard chips one after another. The individual actually had great form and you could tell that they have been playing the game for a bit. I debated with myself for a few minutes, "Do I approach them and give some advice or not" I did not, but it gave me the motivation to write this blog.
I am a big proponent of practice, as it is with anything in life you MUST practice at anything to get better at it. Playing just once a week is never going to improve your golf game. Also though, any golfer; amateur, professional or someone who just plays the game once a week doesn't ever fire off 10 or more shots in a one to two minute time frame, it just doesn't go that way on the course. So, your practice sessions shouldn't be this way as well.
Try to mimic exactly how things will go during a round of golf while you are practicing. Most importantly, TAKE YOUR TIME! First of all, throw your balls down and pick one of the holes/targets, then read the green, envision what kind of chip or pitch that needs to happen. Is it a better shot to leave the ball below the hole than go right at it, wheres the easiest spot to clean up with the putter? Find the landing spot that the ball should drop onto depending on your shot attempt (bump & run, one hop & stop, etc etc), now take your time and focus on the swing that is needed for that shot shape. If you fatted it, why? if you skulled it, why? the ball ran by too far even though you hit it good, why? Make the adjustments that you need to do thoughtfully and be consistent with it until you've "perfected" the shot. Also, incorporate your pre-shot routine into your practice sessions. For every single chip or pitch on the practice greens, I am doing the same pre-shot routine. It will help slow yourself down and concentrate at the task at hand.
Just dropping a dozen balls down and hitting them one after another isn't going to really do that much for your game, the situational awareness of your task at hand will be much more of a help in the long run...
-Chris
The First Step to Playing Better Golf
by Chris Hurlbut
Sept 7th, 2023
I have played this game of golf for many years now and I always find that the majority of amateur golfers have no pre-shot routine, NONE what-so-ever. The majority of folks just tee the golf ball up, grip it and rip it! Which is fine, but if you're trying to really improve your game and become better at it, my first suggestion is always to create a pre-shot routine.
I'm going to make this post about my own pre-shot routine and how it is very simple and easy to incorporate into anyones game, heck it only takes 15,20 maybe 30 seconds tops! First of all, stand behind your ball and look at where you're going, are you attempting to hit the green on this shot? Is it your tee shot on a par 4 and just want to stay away from the fairway bunker and keep it in play? Find a spot out in the distance of where you want the ball to end up and keep your focus there. I also like to take my one or two practice swings behind the ball after finding my target location. Next, step up to the ball/address the ball. Make sure you are aimed correctly to that desired target, club face at this target, your body/feet will then naturally be left of (right if you're a LH golfer) the target. Look up at the target again, keep your mind focused on this one spot that you want to hit the ball to. All the while I'm doing this routine, I am talking to myself in my head, "trust your swing", "you can do this", "you know what needs to be done".
Now one of the most underrated and least talked about aspects of a pre-shot routine IMO, take a deep breath, exhale completely, and then swing! When the human body has exhaled from a deep breath you're completely relaxed at this point and your ability to swing the same consistently will be easier this way. There are a few other additions to my pre-shot routine that are situational.... When I am pitching or chipping the ball, you should be paying attention to the slope of the green, finding your landing area and concentrating on where you want the ball to land, and how much of a swing you need to take to do so. This last part can also be very important to putting as well, find a spot that you think the ball needs to roll over 5ft, 10ft in front you in order for the ball to go in the hole..
I promise you folks, if you incorporate a pre-shot routine into your golf game, and do this for EVERY SINGLE SHOT, your game will improve. It may not be a big drastic change right off the bat, but over time your scores will drop lower and lower...
-Chris
For all Questions, Business Inquiries, Collaboration Requests, and more; Please Email us by clicking below.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse