Practice Like You Play: The End of "Raking and Hitting"

We have all been there: You hit the ball like a tour pro on the driving range, but as soon as you step onto the first tee, your swing disappears. This happens because of how most amateurs practice.

Raking a ball, hitting it, and immediately raking another one is called "Block Practice." It builds rhythm and makes you feel good (the "Illusion of Competence"), but it does not prepare you for the course. Golf is a game of one shot, one minute of walking, and a completely different shot. To improve, your practice must mirror that reality.

1. The 20-20-20 Rule

Stop beating balls for an hour aimlessly. Divide your bucket into three distinct phases. Quality is far more valuable than quantity.

Phase 1: Technical Block (The Mechanic's Garage)

(First 20% of balls)

This is the only time you are allowed to think about your swing mechanics.

• Tools: Use alignment sticks. Use drills. If you are working on your grip or takeaway, do it here.
• The Goal: Focus on the movement, not the result. It doesn't matter where the ball goes during this phase; it matters that you are making the change.

Phase 2: Randomization (The Simulator)

(Next 40% of balls)

On the course, you never hit the same club twice in a row. You must train your brain to switch gears.

• The Rule: Never hit the same club to the same target consecutively.
• The Routine: Step back behind the ball for every single shot. Go through your full pre-shot routine.
• The "Virtual Golf" Drill: Play the first 3 holes of your home course in your mind.
  • "Teeing off on #1": Hit your Driver.
  • "I have 140 yards left": Put the Driver away, grab your 8-iron, and pick a target on the range that is 140 yards away.
  • "Missed the green": Grab your wedge and hit a pitch shot.

Phase 3: Pressure (The Exam)

(Last 40% of balls)

You cannot simulate the nerves of a tournament, but you can create artificial pressure. If there is no consequence for missing on the range, you won't be ready for the anxiety on the course.

• The Fairway Game: Pick two flags or trees to represent a fairway. You must hit 5 drives in a row that land between them. If you miss one, you must start over at zero.
• The "Worst Ball" Scramble: (Chipping Green) Drop two balls. Chip them both. Putt from the worst of the two shots. Keep score for 9 holes. Try to beat par.

4. The Post-Practice Review

Before you leave, ask yourself: "What was my one key thought today?" Write it down in your phone. Do not leave the range with 10 swing thoughts. Leave with one simple feeling that you can take to the course tomorrow.

Additional Reading

To learn more about how to structure your practice for actual improvement, check out these resources:

• Practical Golf: A Practice Routine That Actually Works: A great breakdown for the average golfer on how to split up your time at the range.
• Adam Young: Random Practice: Adam Young is the leading expert on "motor learning" in golf. This article explains why making practice harder makes golf easier.
• How to Warm Up vs. Practice (GOLF.com): Learn the critical difference between getting your body loose for a round and actually training to get better.