Part V: Managing Yourself And Your Game
Lesson #98: My Practice Practices

When I go to the range before a round, basically I'm warming up, getting a feel for my rhythm, and determining the state of my swing. Some days I'll feel more or less loose and supple, which can mean that my shots will move a bit one way or the other. Rather than try to alter that situation in the last minutes before a round, I gear my practice to making the best of it. This is what we call dancing with the girl you brought, and it probably applies to amateur players even more than to the pros.

Also, during pre-round practice I vary my clubs. One day I'll start with the pitching wedge, then skip the 9-iron and go to the 8, skip the 7 and go to 6, and so forth, practicing with only the even-numbered irons. The next day, I'll start with the sand wedge, and practice with the odd-numbered irons. I recommend this regimen to you because it eliminates the possibility that you'll become very familiar and comfortable with some clubs while never getting a good feel for others.

Illustration by Jim McQueen

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