Driving range practice without a target will not get you to par on the course. Don't practice bad shots or poor habits. (Mike Bailey/TravelGolf)

Warming up: Combine stretching with short-game exercise

By Karl Fischer,
Contributor

Take a short iron (pitching wedge), and swing the clubhead down the line to the pin. Now put a ball in the way.

You will be surprised how effortlessly and accurately the shot comes off. Don't worry about hitting the ball far. Just get solid impact. Get the clubhead on the backside of the ball, and swing through its butt. Every club strikes the ball on its pants, not its head (the top of the ball).

Once you strike half a dozen balls off your target shoulder. Work on impact. Now pick a defined quarter-sized target, and start striking the ball to this point. Remember to always think ball to pin, down the line.

Always work up to your longer clubs in the warm-up, taking five to 10 swings with each club starting with the wedges. We like to hit the big ball, but the short game is where the money is made. To make short-game practice more fun and challenging, hit your balls at the quarter or another specific ball.

Driving range practice without a target will not get you to par on the course. Don't practice bad shots or poor habits.

August 4, 2003

Karl Fischer has spent some 35-plus plus years teaching golf nationally and internationally earning the title of "IGAD-Doctorate," "CIMTP-Certified International Master Teaching Professional," "CMCB-Certified Master Club-Builder" and "CGC-Certified Golf Clinician." He has written six golf books, thousands of editorials, tips, "Bullet-Proof Drills" and much more. He can be reached at KF@555golf.com or by phone at (817) 673-8888.