This article was machine-translated from the Korean original. Read the Korean original
My irons hit perfectly at the driving range. I can even hit the 150-meter target quite well with a 7-iron.
But as soon as I step out onto the course, those shots just vanish. Fat shots, top shots, and slices come out one after another.
It’s not that my skills have diminished. The driving range and the course are actually closer to different sports.
If you know what is different, you can prepare, and if you prepare, your score will decrease first.
01Things that are not on the practice range but are on the field
| exercise book | Field | |
|---|---|---|
| floor | flat mat | Uphill, downhill, grass |
| fat shot | The mat hides it | Revealed as is |
| distance | As displayed | Shortened by grass, wind, and tension |
| mind | Again and again | Only once |
Practice range mats are perfectly flat. Plus, the mats hide fat shots.
Even if the club hits 3 centimeters behind the ball, the mat slides and pushes the ball away. It flies reasonably well.
What if you do the same swing on grass? The club digs into the ground and the ball drops 20 meters ahead.
It wasn't that I was hitting well at the practice range; the mat was just hiding it.
02Then what should I do first?
If you try to fix everything at once, nothing will work. There is a sequence.
- The ball halfway backIf you frequently hit behind the ball, move the ball position half a foot to one foot closer to your right foot.
- 3 seconds at the finishCheck if the right heel is lifted and the weight is on the left foot.
- One club longer, 80%If you hit it hard, the rhythm is broken. Hold it long and play softly.
03One. Look back one ball's width.
If you frequently hit the ground behind the ball on the course, try placing the ball about half a ball to one ball width to the right (back).
If the ball is ahead of the lowest point where the club comes down, it ends up digging into the ground first.
It gets quite organized just by moving the ball position slightly back.
This method works for many people. If it works, it is the fastest way, so please try it first.
However, if you continue to hit fat shots, it is often because your weight remains on your right foot, so please refer to the following.
04Two. Hold the finish for 3 seconds.
When you go out onto the field, you get impatient. When you rush, your body gets up first, and your weight lags behind.
Try standing in the finish position for just 3 seconds after hitting the ball. Your right heel lifts off the ground and
If your weight is on your left foot, you have landed the ball properly. If you are staggering, it is not a swing.
You need to get your balance right first.
This is a drill that can be done at the practice range, so you can try it right away during your next practice session.
05Three. Hold the club longer and gently.
The ball travels less distance on the course than at the driving range. Grass resistance, uphill, wind, tension.
They all eat up the distance.
But most people say, "It's 150 meters, so number 7," and hit it hard. Hitting it hard breaks the rhythm.
It is much more stable to hold the club one length longer and hit softly at 80%.
It's better to land near the back of the green than to fall into a bunker because it's short.
06The reason why the first hole is particularly bad
Everyone gets nervous on the first tee box. The problem is that your body isn't warmed up yet.
Two practice swings before a round aren't enough. If you don't have time...
Hold two clubs overlapping each other and swing slowly ten times. It will loosen up your shoulders and sides.
- Hold two clubs together and slowly ten timesMy shoulders and sides are loosening up. Two practice swings aren't enough.
- Stretching the shoulders and sidesSlowly twist your waist to the left and right.
- Three times for distance control on the putting greenIt makes a difference just knowing whether the green is fast or slow that day.
- Use a safe club for the first hole.You don't have to stick to the driver. One out-of-bounds shot will shake up the remaining holes.
You don't have to stick to the driver on the first hole. Play it safe with a wood or utility club.
It is better to start by placing the ball on the fairway than to get shaken up by going out of bounds on the first hole.
07Even so, there are days when things don't work out.
There are days when you fall apart even after doing all this. On those days, don't try to fix your swing.
If you change your swing during a round, you'll fall apart for the remaining holes.
On that day, give up on distance and just stick to direction. Tee off with a 7-iron, and
You just need to lay up early on the green and make up for it with putting. Your score won't be as bad as you think.
You can correct your swing at the next driving range.
08Just three things today
It is only natural that your driving range performance doesn't translate to the course. There is no need to be disappointed.
Ball position, balance, and club selection. Just adjusting these three things will make a difference in your next round.
However, if the same mistakes keep repeating, the cause might lie in the swing itself.
In that case, it would be faster to take a lesson. I have seen many cases where people tried to fix it on their own and ended up making things worse.
In the next part, I will cover breathing techniques to use when your heart feels like it's going to burst on the first hole tee box.
