Mental Training: Variable Practice

Variable Practice

Variable practice is used in the days/weeks leading up to a tournament.  It is a competitive type practice that builds trust, varies shot to shot, and creates tournament like pressure.

It is difficult to perform under pressure when an athlete is caught up in technique and swing mechanics. At this point your swing is no longer changing, but in a maintenance stage.  Use variable practice to build trust in your technique allowing you to use more thought on the things in front of you (ie. Course management, targets, and ball flights).     

Just as the name indicates, practices should vary shot to shot.   In tournament play you aren’t likely to have the same shot twice in a row.  In variable practice you should prepare in this fashion.   Vary club selection, targets, and lies as much as possible.  Whether you are on the range or short game area you should vary your target, club, lies for each shot.  On the putting green you should vary distances and breaks. 

In each practice task you set up try to create tournament-like pressure.  It could be as simple as having to do a number of push-ups for not completing your goal.  Ensure you are challenging yourself with each task, whether it’s in practice or on the course, in order to simulate what you will feel during a tournament round.  

Variable practice is vital part to the performance cycle that should not be overlooked.  Use these three keys in your tournament preparation to be prepared for your next event!

If you have any questions or wish to learn more about mental training please contact Scott Swainston (ScottS@ijga.com).

Mental training sessions will be available at IJGT Student-Athlete Development series events: the Bridgestone Series at Greate Bay, the Major Championship at Hershey CC, and the season finale - The Bridgestone Golf Tournament of Champions!

Please contact Scott directly for more information.