Why Most Practice Doesn't Work
Most golfers "practice" by hitting a bucket of balls on the range with no specific goal. They hit driver until they stripe one, then move on feeling good. But nothing has actually changed. Their misses are the same, their tendencies are the same, and their scores stay the same.
Effective practice requires structure. You need to know what to work on (your stats tell you that), how to work on it (a drill or routine), and how to measure progress. That's what a practice plan gives you.
Golf-Specific Fitness
Golf fitness isn't about bench pressing your body weight or running marathons. It's about the physical qualities that directly affect your golf swing and your ability to perform consistently over 18 holes.
Mobility
Hip rotation, thoracic spine mobility, and shoulder flexibility. These are the foundations of a repeatable, powerful swing. Limited mobility leads to compensations, and compensations lead to inconsistency.
Stability & Balance
A solid base matters for every shot. Core stability, single-leg balance, and rotational strength help you maintain your posture through the swing and stay solid on uneven lies.
Endurance
Your best shots happen when you're fresh. Walking 18 holes takes physical stamina. If your swing falls apart on the back nine, fitness is part of the answer.
Rotational Power
Clubhead speed comes from the ground up through rotation. Targeted exercises build the fast-twitch power that creates effortless distance.
Practice With Purpose
A good practice session starts with a goal and ends with feedback. Here's the framework The Grand Plan was built around:
- Review your stats — Where are you losing the most shots? Driving accuracy? Approach play? Short game? Putting?
- Pick one area — Don't try to fix everything at once. Focus on the highest-impact area for this session.
- Use structured drills — Not just repetition, but drills that simulate on-course situations with targets and consequences.
- Track results — Log your practice and your next rounds. Did the work translate? The data will tell you.
Practice Plans That Fit Your Life
Not everyone has three hours for the range. The Grand Plan approach works whether you have 20 minutes or a full afternoon:
- 20 minutes: Focused putting drill or short game routine at home or on the practice green.
- 45 minutes: Targeted range session on one specific area with measurable goals.
- 90 minutes: Full practice session covering warm-up, focused work, simulation games, and cool-down putting.
Practice at Home
You don't need a range to improve. Some of the most effective practice happens at home:
- Putting on carpet with alignment aids
- Chipping into a net or bucket in the backyard
- Mobility and stability exercises in the living room
- Visualisation and course management planning
The key is consistency. Fifteen minutes a day beats two hours once a fortnight.
"Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. And perfect practice starts with a plan."