GOLFERS of all abilities will often try to hit a miracle shot during their round, generally with disastrous results. Ask yourself, why would you hit a shot during a competition round that you haven’t practised constantly on the range?

When on the range it’s important to make sure you work on your short game, particularly the shots you know you will have to play out on the course.  Ever noticed how tour pros spend every second on the range honing in their skills by playing the shots they will actually need in a tournament?

For this reason, I have a short-game exercise for my players I like to call the nine-hole drill.

This drill can include chips, bump-and-run shots, 15-metre pitches and lob shots. Whatever nine shots you include, they should be the ones you most commonly use during your round.

After working on each of these shots around the green, practise with one ball, using each of your nine shots to a nominated pin position.

Try to get up and down from each of these shots and record your results – two shots is par, three is a bogey and so on. Keeping these results will soon show you which part of your short-game needs the most improvement.

Remember to always work your way through the clubs in your bag during longer sessions on the practice fairway.

Start with your wedges and work up to your driver and don’t forget to practise all the drills your coach has given you.

During your next lesson, ask your PGA professional to break down your game and build a skills program that targets both your strengths and weaknesses.

Having a personalised practice schedule can shave shots off your game and your new handicap will reflect this.

Hit ’em well!


If you have any questions, email me at [email protected] and don’t forget to include a contact number.

  • Jason Laws is the NSW PGA Teaching Professional of the Year