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CAN PRACTICE BE FUN?

Sometimes practice can be boring or even seem like drudgery. It doesn't have to be that way. I see so many golfers at the driving range pulling out their drivers and try to hit it as far as they can. Then they get out on the course and wonder why they can't hit a knock down shot into the wind or a half wedge into a green. Well they never practiced the shot. 

Just like anything we want to be good at we have to practice. Next time you go to the range, pull out your sand wedge and warm up by hitting twenty half shots. Then hit some ¾ shots, and then move up to full wedge shots. Now you are warmed up and you've just practiced your wedge game. Next pull out your nine and so on down the line. When you're done with your driver pull that sand wedge back out and hit some half shots again. You'll see how well you've maintained your tempo throughout your practice session. 

After you've worked on your swing try playing a few holes on the range. Pull out your driver and pick out two poles at the end of the range. Pretend they are the boundaries of the fairway. Hit your driver and guess how much and what kind of a shot you have left into the hole. Hit that shot, whether it is a punch shot, a low shot under the trees, a hook or a cut. Now when you get out on the course you will have practiced the difficult shot you are about to hit. 

Practice becomes fun when you hit the shot on the course that you've practiced, especially when you pull it off. Do this same concept with bunker play and putting. Don't get caught in a rut of just going to the driving range and beating balls. Go to the course with just your putter and putt for a couple of hours. You'll be amazed the next time you get over three footer for all the money. Be inventive with your practice. It will not only be more fun but also more rewarding. 

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About the Author

Jeff Shaw was born in Pasadena California in 1960. He grew up in Arcadia California where he was introduced to golf at age four by his father. He played high school golf at Arcadia and later played college golf at The University of Southern California. Following college Jeff entered into the PGA program while working as an assistant golf professional. 

Later, after obtaining PGA membership, Jeff decided to play full time. He participated in events on the Hogan, Nike, Canadain and South Pacific tours. While on the South Pacific Tour he won the pro-am on the Tahiti Open and captured the Nandi Open on the island of Fiji. After returning from the South Pacific, Jeff realized that his first love in golf was teaching and he returned to working full time as a Head Golf Professional.

 
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