Make Every Shot Count: A Guide to Quality Practice
By Caleb Kimmel, General Manager, GolfTRK Overland Park
One of the most common things I see on the range - both indoor and outdoor, is golfers practicing without a clear, repeatable routine.
Members come in with good intentions. They’re hitting balls, working hard, and spending time on their game. But too often, there’s no consistent process between shots. No pause to process feedback. No reset between swings. Just ball after ball, one after another.
The problem is simple: your brain needs time to process what just happened.
In fact, twenty deliberate shots with full attention will improve your game far more than one hundred mindless ones.
What Quality Practice Actually Looks Like
If you want your practice sessions to translate to real improvement on the course, here’s how to structure them.
1. Pick a ball limit, not a time limit
Instead of saying, “I’ll practice for an hour,” commit to a specific number of intentional shots. For example, 30 focused balls with a clear purpose. This shifts your mindset from quantity to quality.
2. Use your full routine on every shot
Stand behind the ball. Pick a target. Visualize the shot. Step in. Execute. Hold your finish. This process takes time—and that’s the point. The routine is what carries over to the course.
3. Wait for the data
At GolfTRK, TrackMan gives you valuable feedback on every swing. Do not rush to the next ball. Take a moment to review the numbers, understand what they’re telling you, and connect them to what you felt in the swing.
4. Take intentional breaks
Every 10–15 balls, step away from the mat. Get a drink. Stretch. Let your mind reset. Attention fades quickly when you grind without stopping, and fatigue leads to sloppy reps.
Signs You’re Practicing Too Fast
If any of the following sound familiar, it’s time to slow down:
You can’t remember what your last three shots felt like
Your pre-shot routine keeps getting shorter
You’re swinging before the data loads
You’re hitting balls on autopilot, just to “get reps in”
When that happens, stop. Reset. Or end the session entirely. Practicing while unfocused often does more harm than good.
Make Every Ball Count
Great practice is about intention, not volume. Give every shot your full attention, your full routine, and your full commitment. That’s how real improvement happens.
If you’d like help structuring a more effective practice session or building a routine that fits your goals, feel free to ask one of our coaches or staff. We’re here to help you get better—one quality shot at a time.