It’s easy to measure a practice session by how many balls you hit. But according to IJGA Coach John, more shots don’t necessarily mean better practice.
One of the most common habits coaches see on the range is what Coach John calls “rake and fire”—pulling one ball after another and hitting without taking the time to reset, choose a target, or think about the purpose behind each shot.
While repetition has its place in training, effective practice requires more than simply hitting balls. Once players have completed their block practice and worked through their technical drills, the focus should begin to shift toward practicing with intention.
From Repetition to Purpose
Block practice is an important part of developing techniques. It gives players an opportunity to repeat a movement, work through drills, and reinforce the swing changes outlined in their individual blueprint.
But once that technical work is complete, Coach John encourages players to shift their focus externally.
Instead of simply hitting toward the range, choose a specific target. Use an alignment stick. Take your time before each shot. Before stepping in, identify the swing thought or checkpoint you are working on.
Then, when you address the ball, everything should have a clear purpose.
The goal is simple: one ball, one purpose.
Practice More Like You Play
On the golf course, you rarely hit the exact same shot over and over again.
Every shot presents something different—a new target, a different club, a different distance, and a different decision. Your practice should begin to reflect that reality.
Coach John recommends hitting no more than two or three balls with the same club to the same target before making a change. Pick a new target, switch clubs, reset your routine, and begin again.
This creates a practice environment that requires greater focus and decision-making rather than allowing players to fall into the rhythm of hitting ball after ball without thinking.
The objective isn’t necessarily to hit fewer balls. It’s to make each ball more valuable.
Make Every Rep Count
Purposeful practice requires patience. It means slowing down enough to go through your process, commit to a target, and understand exactly what you are trying to accomplish with each shot.
Rather than judging a session by the number of balls you hit, ask yourself:
What was the purpose of each shot?
As Coach John explains, if you want your practice to gradually transfer to the level of performance you expect on the course, your training has to reflect the way you actually play the game.
Technical drills build the movement. Purposeful practice teaches you how to use it.
The next time you’re on the range, don’t just rake and fire. Pick a target, follow your process, change clubs and targets regularly, and make every ball count.
Practice with purpose.
When we partnered with Sir Nick Faldo, he would start each clinic with telling the students the importance of “practice with purpose”.
Our of a group of 100 students the one student who raised their hand to say that she practices with purpose for each shot was Juniper Jang, who is now on her fourth year on the LPGA.
