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Practice is essential to improvement. That’s a concept most of us easily grasp. The question is what to practice? The 80/20 model answers that question. The 80/20 model is a very specific practice program designed to help golfers of all skill levels improve their game and attain their goals.
The first step in any golf improvement program is to identify exactly what you need to do to improve your game. Seek out the advice of a quality teaching professional. Find out exactly what you need to do in order to improve your game. Take these images to the practice area and use this model for a productive practice session.
The 80/20 model is based on two distinct one hour blocks of practice time. Simply alternate these two blocks on alternate days. The first block calls for you to spend 48 minutes (80%) on 20, 40, 60 and 80 yard wedge shots, work up the ladder from 20 to 80 and then back down. During the last 12 minutes (20%) of your practice work with a 7 iron and a driver. Keeping in mind the concepts learned from your teaching professional as you practice.
During the second hour, spend the first 48 minutes (80%) within 20 yards of the green working on three core shots. For the first core shot you will need a chair. Place the chair about two feet in front of you and practice chipping under the chair.
The second core shot is a short pitch, 10 to 12 yards from the hole. Back up the length of the club you are using (most lofted club) from the spot where you hit your first core shot and play a pitch shot over the chair to the hole.
The third core shot calls for you to back up eight more yards and move the chair about a third of the way closer to the hole. Your goal is to execute a high pitch over the chair, dropping the ball as softly as possible on the green. As you practice all of these core shots be very careful to avoid the temptation to lift the ball. Concentrate on proper fundamentals and full swing images and you will find the chair is no obstacle.
Spend the second block of this hour (12 minutes or 20%) on putting. Spend time practicing long lag puts and 3 to 5 footers.
Research shows that a minimum of 60% of shots lost to par are within 60 yards of the hole for the strongest of players. For weaker players, the percentage is ever greater. There is no magic pill that will improve your game. It takes knowledge of your swing and the changes that need to be made to it (information your teaching professional can provide), a good roadmap (the 80/20 model), and practice, practice, practice. While mastering your short game, you will exponentially improve your ball striking.
Bruce Olson is a Senior Instructor at Matt Swanson’s School of Golf at Wildcat Golf Club. Contact Bruce at 713-413-4484 or
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