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Let’s start with something simple—but powerful: a quick way to actually measure your game.
Many golfers think they’re improving….but they have no way to prove it. If you don’t have a baseline, you’re guessing and guessing leads to frustration.
How to Assess Your Game
Whether you are just starting out or stuck at the same level, begin with a simple playing assessment:
Number of “3-Putts” per round
Times you chip more than once on a hole
When in a bunker: did you get out?
Number of times you were able to hit the green (from the fairway) using an 8 iron or less?
Too many times, I see golfers struggling with the standard:
Putts per round
GIR (Greens in Regulation)
Fairways hit
These often end up causing more frustration than improvement. Simple is Best when establishing your first stats.
Go Deeper (Example: Putting)
So, you’ve played a few rounds, recorded some data, and now realize you need to work on putting. We can focus the assessments on the three key skills:
Distance control
Start line
Green reading
These are the “Big Three” for putting. These assessments act as skill tests to establish your current ability.
Assessment Games/Drills:
“Leap frog”
“Ladder drills”
“Gate drills”
Simulated playing drills that require you to keep a total score.
Assessment games are not only great for establishing your baseline, they can be incredibly fun as well. I enjoy trying to beat my personal best scores each week.
Here are some links to Games and Drills I have shared in the past:
Practice with Purpose
The next time you head to the practice range have a specific purpose.
Arbitrarily hitting balls, chipping to the same targets, and putting around the green may feel like practice—but it’s really more of a warm-up.
There must be an intention to it all.
Create a plan
Know what you are trying to improve.
Assess your current level.
Identify which skills need the most work and where you stand with each.
Build a plan with this knowledge.
When you practice with a plan, you will improve!
If you want help building a plan for your game—or want me to look at your swing
👉 I coach online here: https://skillest.com/@garyshanklandgolf
Hope this has been helpful!
I would love to hear from you, please reply to this email with future topics you would like me to cover,