Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1182230
Pebble Beach Golf Academy Master Instructor Laird Small has been director of the Academy for 19 years. Small helps golfers relax and improve their consistency through various exercises and drills, lessons, equipment checks and professional analysis. 2. Take a playing lesson with your golf professional. A playing lesson will add a little stress to your game and you will be able to see where you fall down under pressure. With the help of your coach, you can create a plan to improve the execution of your shots under pressure. 3. Short game practice: More than half of all shots occur inside 50 yards of the green. Strike pitch shots to a specific target on the green to learn how far a certain swing hits the ball, paying attention to the trajectory and runout. There are a number of good subscription-based digital services that allow shot-tracking, including one called ShotByShot.com, which pro- vided a printable scorecard. 4. Stretch your body: Often your body's physical limitations — not your swing — prevent you from improving. A good stretching regimen will help prepare your muscles for top performance on the course. 5. Survey your equipment: Make sure that your bag is stocked with the right tools for success. Consider a professional fitting for set makeup, grips, type of golf balls and more. 6. Fuel your body: Drinking plenty of water and eating healthy foods on the course are essential for performing at your peak level for a full 18 holes. The following drills are designed to free you up as a golfers and not be so focused on you swing mechanics — you know, the 40 things you think about before you strike the ball! • Tension-free drill: Strike five golf balls in a row off a low tee one after the other and see if you can feel tension-free in your arms, hands and shoulders, or if any tension crept into the swing. • Target retention drill: Can you keep the image of the target in your mind as you swing the club? If you are thinking about your swing or swing mechanics, you won't be able to focus on the target! • Let-it-go drill: Swing the club freely and just let it go, tension-free! It is a wonderful feeling and you may be surprised about how well you strike the ball. It is also a lot of fun, and golf should be fun! Give these ideas a try and visit us at the Pebble Beach Golf Academy for more direction on your game improvement. Golf is a game we play for a lifetime and we encourage you to be a lifelong learner. Please contact us at 831/622-8650 to learn more. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 9 93 Photo: TGO Photography