Jim McLean Instruction: Spring Practice Drills

By Jim McLean
Special to ARMCHAIR GOLF

(Editor’s note: This is the beginning of a series of seven spring practice drills.)

RING-OF-FIRE DRILL

Problem: The player experiences first-tee jitters and can’t take his or her mind off the trees, rough and water bordering the fairway.

Result: The player makes a nervous swing and hits a wayward opening tee shot.

Goal: Find a mental key that will help the player forget the surrounding trouble and focus on the fairway.

Practice procedure: Here’s a drill I learned from mental coach Chuck Hogan. Each time you address the ball in practice, imagine a ring of fire a few feet in front of your ball. Now, just concentrate on hitting the ball through that big circle. Bring this image with you to the first tee and keep using it throughout the round.

Next time: Stretch-Your-Imagination Drill

Jim McLean is the instruction editor for Golf Digest and the Golf Channel, and an author of numerous, top-selling golf instruction books. For a free intro DVD to his new Building Block Approach, visit Jim McLean Golf School.

Copyright © Jim McLean. All rights reserved. Used with permission.