Instruction
A winter golf drill to improve your ball striking
My most recent articles on GolfWRX have highlighted the importance of golfers to striking the sweet spot more often. The next logical step is to describe some ways golfers can improve that ability, which is the focus of this article.
Now that winter is well and truly in motion, golfers are left to spend their dark nights at the floodlit or indoor range. Others are reduced to backyard/garage practice — perhaps into a net, if a golfer is lucky enough to own one. The good news about winter is that it is the perfect time for golfers to work on their ball striking, and I will share an exercise that has been proven to work very well, and add a twist that creates even better results.
The Drill
If you’ve read my last few of articles, you know the marker pen drill well. Here is a quick re-cap of it.
-
- Mark the ball with a dry-erase marker pen.
-
- Place the ball as shown.
-
- Check where you hit on the face.
The Twist
This time we are going to do something a little strange, but I will explain some results of a study I conducted with golfers, which justifies my reasoning. Instead of marking the golf ball and trying to hit the middle of the face over and over, we are going to try and hit three different sections of the face.
- Hit 30 golf balls.
- Alternate between trying to hit the middle, the heel and the toe section (10 balls each section).
- Keep track of your results.
- Whichever section you had the lowest score with, do the next 10 golf balls focusing on only hitting this section.
- Repeat.
The Science
Golfers who follow me know I approach things from a motor learning science perspective. Practicing something you wouldn’t normally want to do (such as hitting off-center shots), but which is closely related to the skill you want to improve (hitting the ball on the sweet spot) is known in scientific circles as “differential practice.”
A few years ago, before I had even heard of this term, I conducted a study with three groups of golfers.
- Group 1 tried to only hit the sweet spot.
- Group 2 tried only to hit either toe or heel sections.
- Group 3 did a mixture of both.
What most of you would guess is that Group 3 ended the five days with the most improvement (as defined by their ability to hit the middle of the face). However, what shocks most people (and shocked me at the time) was that Group 2 outperformed the “sweet-spot only” group. That’s right; trying to only hit the sweet spot improved their ability to hit the sweet spot less than those who were intentionally trying to miss it.
What a counterintuitive result! It looks as though the old mantra of “perfect practice makes perfect” needs to be thrown out of the window.
There are several theories for why this works — including improved perception-action coupling, increased external focus of attention (as opposed to focusing on body movements), improvements in the ability to adapt degrees of freedom, etc. However, for the average golfer, it doesn’t matter exactly how it works — just that it works!
End notes
The next time you are stuck indoors as it is raining (or snowing) cats and dogs, get into your garage and peg a few up. Spend an hour or so working on this drill and you won’t be sorry when spring time rolls around. I have even modified the drill slightly for those without a net in their garage. As long as you have a room big enough to swing a golf club, why not?
Here’s the modified two-step drill.
Step 1
Draw a mark on a tee/bottle cap.
Step 2
Peg it up, hit it and take a look.
Note: Adam describes differential practice drills, as well as many other forms of practice you can use to speed up your golf improvement, in his amazon bestselling book “The Practice Manual – The Ultimate Guide for Golfers.” But it on Amazon.
The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.
“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.
Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.
If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.
Understand What Cold Does to Your Game
Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.
Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.
Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.
Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing
Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.
Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.
Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.
Take More Club Than You Think You Need
This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.
The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.
Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.
Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens
Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.
Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.
Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.
Embrace the Mental Challenge
Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”
That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.
Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.
Warm Up Longer and Smarter
This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.
World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.
Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.
The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.
What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.
So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.
Stop Overthinking Every Shot
Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.
This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.
How to actually do this:
On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.
Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.
If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.
This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.
Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)
Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.
Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:
Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.
Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.
Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.
Save Your Best for When It Counts
Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.
How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.
Here’s what actually works:
Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.
Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.
Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.
The Bottom Line
Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.
You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.
Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.
Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.
Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee
Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.
Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.
Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.
The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.
Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens
This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.
How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.
Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.
Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.
When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.
Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient
Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.
He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.
Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.
Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.
Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.
PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.
Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
Best fairway woods of 2026: The most versatile fairway woods + the most forgiving fairway woods
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
The 24 players who can win the Masters
Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB: 2026 Masters
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
J.J. Spaun’s winning WITB: 2026 Valero Texas Open
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Alex Fitzpatrick WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Ping G440 LST (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus...
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Driver: Ping G440 Max (9 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX 3-wood: Ping G440 Max (15 degrees) Shaft:...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2021 Truist Championship
Rory McIlroy’s victory at the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship 2021 (now the Truist Championship) marked a significant return to form,...
Collin Morikawa WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees) Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 60 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade SIM Tour (14 degrees) Shaft:...
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
-
Equipment1 week agoWhat’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
-
Equipment2 weeks agoCadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
-
Whats in the Bag3 days ago
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag1 week agoCameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoNelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
-
Equipment2 weeks agoJustin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
-
Tour Photo Galleries2 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 Cadillac Championship
BoomBoom
Feb 29, 2016 at 2:40 pm
This is is an invaluable tip imo.
I recently the author’s book, which contains this drill recommendation (and many others). This drill specifically has been super helpful in improving my strikes. I’m currently working through fixing a tendency to hit short irons near the heel which I discovered as a result of grabbing a dry erase marker and pounding some balls into my net in the garage. It would’ve taken me ages to just feel/figure out on my own that almost all my strikes were too far to the inside.
I only wish there was a way that was as precise and completely cost free as this method to get post-shot feedback on path and face angles.
Chris
Jan 2, 2016 at 8:58 pm
Do you have am idea of how to correct a slight over the top swing? I will try it and leave my feed back. Thank you
James
Dec 15, 2015 at 1:10 pm
I definitely going to give this a try over the next few weeks. It reminds me of a drill to fix the shanks. Most people think they need to just move the ball out to the toe and make the same swing. But that actually makes it worse. What works is to do the opposite and line the ball up on the hosel. You look down you realize you have to adjust something in your swing else you will completely whiff the ball. It’s almost magical, yet very counter intuitive for most people to grasp.
Adam Young
Dec 16, 2015 at 4:02 am
Good point James. I have also carried out a study looking at that thing (or very similar). You can read the study here (it’s actually where I got this picture from)
http://www.adamyounggolf.com/blind-golfers-the-study/
Mbwa Kali Sana
Dec 12, 2015 at 3:26 pm
It’s completely ridiculous to try to ” hit the ball” at a given place OF the clubface And a loss OF Time .Better work on the FUNDAMENTALS OF YOUR golf swing And on YOUR physical weaknesses .
The club goes too fast to have any Contrôl OF where the clubface Will contact the ball . When I swing ,I never think about the ball :all I know is it ‘s there ,And my club picks it up on it’s way
Adam Young
Dec 13, 2015 at 10:48 am
Mbwa – if you currently don’t posses the skill to do this (which it sounds as though this is the case), try making the drill easier by doing it with chipping swings or even putting first. It is entirely possible to do this and master the skill of being able to hit where you desire on the face. With my elite players, we focus on different grooves, or even splitting the face into 10 parts, having a height and a toe/heel element to it.
Adam Young
Dec 13, 2015 at 10:51 am
Also Mbwa, this is a fundamental. In fact, being able to hit where you want on the face is even more of a fundamental than grip stance and posture.
Brad young
Dec 21, 2015 at 10:42 am
This helps engage the right side of your brain – the part that will help with “feel”, which will greatly help when you get out on the course. When you are out on the course, if you are thinking bout technical aspects of your swing, you will not play well. It’s all about feel out there, and hitting the correct spot of the ball with the correct spot of the club.
“The club goes way too fast to have control of where the club face will contact the ball”. This is so not right. If you go to the range, can you not purposely hit the ball with the toe or heel of the club? If not, maybe this is a “physical weakness” you should work on. It may really help you when you are out on the course.
terry
Dec 10, 2015 at 5:47 pm
I’m going to try this practice.
Here is how I practice at home in my man cave. Get a length foam pipe cover (about 3′) at a plumbing supply place. Cut a piece off about the height of a golf ball. Put a piece of electrical tape on the clubface it’s full width. On the bottom of the “foam ball” (across from the joint) with lip balm or lip stick draw a line maybe 1/2″ tall. Swing. The lip balm leaves a mark on the electrical tape showing exactly where on the clubface the ball was struck. You have to refresh the mark on the ball every 3rd swing or so but only takes a second. The foam ball pops up in the air and does no damage. It shows where you are making contact with the ball. But doesn’t tell anything about distance or trajectory of course. I can do a full pitching wedge swing in my mancave…. do this all year round. Is excellent for those who no option other than swinging a club inside their living quarters.
ParHunter
Dec 10, 2015 at 12:00 pm
Could this differential practice be applied to the low point as well? So trying to intentionally hit a shot fat, then trying to hit the ball into the ground, then catching it clean?
Problem is the feedback I guess. Does anyone know a mat that shows where the clubfaces makes impact with the ground?
Adam Young
Dec 10, 2015 at 6:07 pm
There is a mat coming out soon – within the next year or so.
ParHunter
Dec 11, 2015 at 6:19 am
Great, I was looking for something like that. Should be easy to do. There are fabrics that look different depending to which side you brush them.
Adam Young
Dec 11, 2015 at 12:24 pm
Ive experimented with a lot of things. Luckily, we have a fairway bunker at our facility which offers great feedback for ground strike.
jason
Dec 10, 2015 at 9:52 am
I do not have a net but would like to try this drill over the winter. What are the details on the modified two step drill? Are you just marking a plastic tee and clipping it? Are you setting up the tee height the same distance for an iron or where the equator of the ball would be?
Adam Young
Dec 10, 2015 at 11:17 am
Yes, just the tee – it’s for those without a net or whiffle ball. The marks will typically be on the bottom groove, although I get my players to experiment with hitting different heights on the face with different tee heights. This works on your ability to control the swing arc height and low point position simultaneously (a requirement for great striking ability)
Jamie
Dec 9, 2015 at 11:28 pm
Do you address it at the center of club face, then try to hit it off toe/heel? Or, do you address it on the toe/heel wherever you’re trying to hit it?
Adam Young
Dec 10, 2015 at 7:11 am
Start with addressing it where you want to hit it. However, I have variations of the drill which involve much more difficulty, which I progress players to as their rate of success increases. For my elite players, I often get them to hit different shapes while addressing the ball in various manners. You will rarely see this type of practice conducted by most, but my quantified research on the tee is showing some promising results over ‘standard’ methods of practice.
Taylor
Dec 9, 2015 at 6:58 pm
Such a hassale to keep marking golf balls…just put painters tape on your club face and you have impact tape. Masking tape words too, but I can see it better with painters tape. Replace tape after a few hits.
Adam Young
Dec 9, 2015 at 8:10 pm
Dr Scholls is also a good option – just spray the face and off you go (although it can be more expensive).
I prefer marker pen in my teaching, as it can be a easier to quantify and see multiple hits.
TR1PTIK
Dec 9, 2015 at 11:33 pm
Another benefit of the marker is that it provides a more accurate picture of the exact point of impact though I do prefer Dr. Scholls. You can also purchase the Great Value brand at Walmart, but it’s not that much cheaper and if I did develop a case of athlete’s foot I’d rather of a name brand product to use. lol.
Tom
Dec 10, 2015 at 2:06 pm
I was spraying Dr, Scholls om my iron face on the range yesterday and the guy in the next stall had a perplexed look. His buddy came by and ask him what I was doing and he replied ” it keeps him (me) fom spraying balls all over the range.
Adam Young
Dec 9, 2015 at 6:46 pm
Hi guys – it would be important to note that the ‘differential practice’ group had worse performance initially, but their ability to strike the sweet spot improved after 5 days. The link to the original study is here
http://www.adamyounggolf.com/the-study-differential-versus/
BAL
Dec 9, 2015 at 4:08 pm
How should one try to hit off-center to get the most out of this drill? Is it in distance from ball in setup or is it an adjustment in the swing by feel?
TR1PTIK
Dec 9, 2015 at 4:44 pm
When I tried this a while back I played with stance and swing, but there are so many variables you can play with. Ultimately, it’s going to be whatever produces the most consistent results.
TR1PTIK
Dec 9, 2015 at 3:41 pm
I toyed with this a while back when working on my driver and had good results. My miss with driver stems from striking the ball low and off the heel of the club so I intentionally tried to impact the ball high and toward the toe. Made a tremendous difference in my ball striking with that club. It’s cool to see an article months later that confirms I was on the right track.
Adam Young
Dec 9, 2015 at 8:12 pm
That’s right – often times, trying the opposite pattern to our fault can help to balance this out. Over time, you become less conscious of ‘trying’ to correct it, and it becomes automatic. This can be lumped under the term ‘perceptual adaptation’.
golfraven
Dec 9, 2015 at 3:10 pm
I really like the idea of the marker on small plastic tee. Have dozens of those and will certainly try out.
Adam Young
Dec 9, 2015 at 8:13 pm
You can also pop it on a whiffle/airflow ball. I like the tees – you can really refine which groove you hit if you are a better player
Steven
Dec 9, 2015 at 2:44 pm
Great article. I am glad to see that someone is paying attention to this line of research. It has some pretty interesting results.
Jay
Dec 9, 2015 at 3:26 pm
I believe Karate Kid pioneered this line of research/training
Adam Young
Dec 9, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Yes, differential practice is not commonly known. It blows away the ‘perfect practice makes perfect’ mantra. I have evidence of its efficacy in other studies I have done also.