The routines of the best - tips for the driving range & the course - Part 3

Tip 3: Less is more

You may be wondering how you can increase your self-confidence on the golf course and perform more confidently in important tournaments, whether alone or in a team. Have you ever experienced what it feels like when you are playing in a team and suddenly several members are watching you play? Your reaction to such situations can be revealing and tell you whether you have a reliable routine that you can stick to.

If you are hitting balls on the driving range - an activity that many golfers do not particularly appreciate - you should hit fewer balls in future. However, every shot should be treated as if it were a decisive shot in the tournament. Always choose a new target and find out which routine is best for YOU personally. There is no right or wrong; you have to find the routine that suits you best. Even the best players in the world have their own individual routines. However, they all have one thing in common: they always go behind the ball and visualise the next shot!

The time required for this preparation may seem a little longer at first, but over time it will become second nature. In your training, you should also learn to walk away from the ball if you feel uncomfortable and take the time you need. It is essential to develop a "thick skin". You will find that hitting balls in this way is much more fun and you will quickly become noticeably more confident.

Learn the timing, train your rhythm and develop inner calm. The first exercise consists of hitting a ball with full concentration, for which YOU take 45 seconds. Some people manage this after just 10 seconds and then spend the remaining 35 seconds bored. For the second attempt, start by focussing on your target, plan your preparation and then make a decision. I am aware that 45 seconds can seem long. But the point is to learn what you can incorporate into your routine and what you might want to leave out. You can use your mobile phone to time yourself and see how long it takes on average.

Next, try the opposite: hit 10 balls in 45 seconds, one after the other. You will realise that this is possible, but this rhythm will not really help you on the court. It may suffice as an impact exercise, but nothing more. You will realise that if you take 20-30 seconds for each shot, you can achieve a more consistent and better result, which is certainly every golfer's goal.

Speaking of "target": Please aim before every shot!