Comments on: Two Great Ways To Practice On A Golf Course

By: Rich P

Rich P — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:31:25 +0000

Great idea Andy….Now to get up early and get to the course to try it out….
Thanks for the tips, every little bit helps!!
Rich

By: Robert Butler

Robert Butler — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:45:37 +0000

They sound like great practice ideas. Limited time means some backyard chipping and a bucket of balls before the game if I’m lucky.

I like the tips – keep them coming thank you.

Robert

Andy’s Reply:

Hi Robert,

Many thanks for your comment.

All the best.

Andy

By: Dave Duff

Dave Duff — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:03:21 +0000

this best ball scramble sounds a great idea as i and my mate always play nine hole extra after the mid week comp on a wednesday, worst ball sounds good to

By: Brendan

Brendan — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:27:11 +0000

Have often played the worst ball game ‘for fun’ early when no one’s around – have never looked at breaking 40 for 9 holes, but it’s certainly helped my concentration on each shot and playing under pressure. Nothing like draining a 10 foot birdie putt and then having to do it again!

Another empty course game I liked to play was to aim my shots at fairway or green, but then chip/putt the ball into the rough or bunker. I liked being able to track fairways and greens hit, as well as working on scrambling – where shots are really saved: any mug can have a par if they’ve hit the green in regulation, but you’ll have a good day if you keep getting up and down. The chip/putt into trouble is always to a specific spot as well, not just a swipe, so there’s even more practice. It doesn’t have to be sideways; backwards or forwards can work too if there’s a bunker 50 yards from the green or into a ‘favourite’ bit of rough etc.

Cheers

By: clive woodward

clive woodward — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 17:02:02 +0000

yes , agree with your coaching points here – allows you to play on your own with a real purpose , especially worst ball scramble , best as alwsays , Clive

By: Lawrence

Lawrence — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 06:39:22 +0000

Interesting. I, too, call it best/worse ball practice. However, my approach to this routine is to immediately correct missed shots, based on the theory that: “A mistake uncorrected is a mistake.” You may quote me on that.

When a corrective shot is necessary, I play that ball ‘out,’ too. That way I can measure improvement by noting the infrequency of corrected shots in a round. However, I challenge myself to make the next shot from the bad lie of the first ball, and I try to beat the good shot of the second ball. By doing this, I build confidence knowing that I have corrected all of my bad shots, but also know that I can overcome a not so good first shot with good second. In other words, if my drive is not so good, my 3 wood can still get me on the green.

Since we tend not to practice getting out of bad lies, I just as often practice getting out of them. Instead of becoming disheartened with high scores from bad shots and letting them become ingrained in my psyche, I not only practice correcting these mistakes, but I practice hitting better shots as a result of them. I believe that this is the kind of practice needed for match play.

By: Rudolph

Rudolph — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 06:05:56 +0000

Hello Andy,
Thank you for the tip (worst ball scramble) I like this one. I think we are very privileged to be able to play the whole year round (South Africa) or perhaps spoiled.

By: William Cason

William Cason — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 22:42:43 +0000

Played once since receiving your instructions. Played better than usual. At this time I am not playing much due to work and the weather. Thanks

By: Roderick

Roderick — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 09:44:20 +0000

Great suggestion to try the worse ball routine to help with course management – one of my weaknesses. Have been using a version of the better ball routine, but not for a full 9 holes, and it definitely shows what I’m actually capable of when everything clicks. Will try it for the full 9 next time I’m practising.

Cheers, Roderick

By: Chris

Chris — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 08:42:17 +0000

hi andy… have used the best ball scramble for a long time cos i play early in the morning and usually on my own. great teaching aid and boosts the confidence especially if both balls are good shots. cheers chris

By: David staniforth

David staniforth — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:50:57 +0000

Wow,what a brilliant idea,in both cases.
Must do it soon.
It will encourage me toplay on my own more.
David

By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 20:51:54 +0000

HI ANDY, JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT I LOVE ALL THE TIPS
YOU HAVE SENT ME . BUT NOW MY CLUBS HAVE BEEN PUT AWAY FOR THE SEASON TO BE WITH MY SONS IN THE DEER WOODS. KEEP THEM COMING, PLEASE. BECAUSE I KNOW NEXT YEAR WILL BE MY BEST SEASON
YET. THANKS AGAIN.

SINCERELY, LARRY THRUSH

By: John van Vlaanderen

John van Vlaanderen — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 13:39:48 +0000

Hi Andy,thanks for your tip on best and worst 2 ball. I tried the best ball and had 7 pars and 2 bogeys for 9 holes. Best I have played in 10 years.
You are right, no pressure. At the moment I have put away my clubs for the year. Looking forward to next season. I have never broken 80, but even tho I’m going to be 67 in a couple of weeks, I still think that one day soon it will happen.

Keep on sending good tips for my game.
God blessyou.

By: Larry

Larry — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:35:09 +0000

:lol:

Thanks for all the tips Andy,they really help my golf game. I have too try this best ball , worst ball tip. Sounds like a very interesting way to work on your game.

I,ll let you know how it worked.

Good to here from you Andy

By: Pat Whelton

Pat Whelton — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 17:54:55 +0000

Thanks Andy My game is really improving. All your tips are sending my handicap one way down ,down ,down, YERTHEMAN