In my previous article, the importance of setting goals was discussed.
Goals unify purpose, which speeds up progress. Championship players have a goal mindset, which develops their game to a high level.
Part of the process is to create goals with specific objectives to be achieved during practice sessions. The idea is you must complete the objective before moving on to another. Here is an example: two-putt from 30 feet. Here is another example: hit a ball within 20 feet of the flagstick from 75 yards.
Your practice goals should target the weakest parts of your game. If you have driving accuracy issues, set goals around driving accuracy. If you can’t chip, set goals for chipping from various places around the green. As you get better, make the objectives more difficult.
I add a pressure packed element to my practice sessions with students. I ask them to achieve the objective a number of times in a row. If they fail, they have to start over. It might take them a lot of time and effort to achieve the goal, but I don’t give in to their frustration. An example is to hit five bunker shots in a row from the same position to within a three-foot circle. When my students get to the fifth shot, they know they have a lot riding on it. Once they learn to deal with pressure, they are better equipped to compete. They gain more confidence.
All of my students know they will have to meet objectives during our learning sessions. It starts the very first day I work with them. The objectives I set are commensurate with their skill levels. As the students progress, the goals become more difficult. They become excellent players.
Make your practice sessions productive by objectifying your goals. Don’t give yourself a break. Meet the objective. Your confidence and satisfaction will soar.
Kent Chase is a Class A PGA professional instructor at the Malaska Golf Academy, Las Sendas Golf Club. He is a top 50 U.S. kids master teacher and a Southwest Section PGA teacher of the year. More than 50 of his students have won state high school championships, and many of his students have played professionally.
Connect with Kent at KentChaseGolf.com or at LasSendas.com.