Rick Shiels warns what ‘so many’ golfers do wrong when practicing which is stopping them lowering their handicaps

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It’s time for winter golf, which is an opportunity for golfers to hit the driving range and work on their game for the summer.

But sometimes you can work for hours on the range, work on all types of swing techniques and swing thoughts, and still not see any improvement. Practicing is difficult over the winter, especially when you can’t get out on the course to apply what you’re working on.

For any golfers looking to lower their handicap, it’s important to learn how to practice properly, and Rick Shiels has spotted something “wild” that he sees amateur golfers do wrong all the time. 

The ‘wild’ thing that Rick Shiels sees ‘so many’ golfers do wrong when practicing

Shiels, speaking on his podcast, said that what golfers do wrong when working on their game has nothing to do with the drills they do or the advice they follow. Instead, he said it’s important to consider the company you keep when working on your game.

He explained: “I think too many people practice solo. I don’t think that is good. I think practicing purely solo doesn’t give you that competitiveness.

“When you talk about being a kid, and you used to have chipping and putting competition, it was teaching you competitiveness and nerves. You have got a shot to win a chocolate bar, and you want to play that shot great!

“I remember when I went to college for the first time, and we felt like we played games all the time. It was just fun, pressure, excitement, competitiveness. I wish almost that carried on. I think as you move away, I think a lot of people practice on their own, and you are not really testing yourself properly.

“It’s why these schools in America do so well. Luke Poulter is going to school in America at the moment, and it’s like there might be 20 kids there that all want to be fantastic players, and they are pushing each other every day.

“They are in the gym pushing each other, on the driving range pushing each other, on the short game area, or playing nine-hole matches. That is how you get better.

“I honestly think full swing driving range practice is not the secret, and so many people do it. It’s actually wild how many people just do full swing practice at a driving range. It serves a purpose, but you are solely trying to get better at this game of golf, and you are only practicing one element of it.”

One of the biggest issues with the range is that it doesn’t replicate the pressure of the course, and practicing with others and putting a competitive edge on what you do is definitely advised!

Success of the American collegiate system

Shiels’ point is proven when you look at the very top of the game, and how many successful players have come through a competitive school environment. 

Of the winners of the last 20 majors, only Rory McIlroy and Cameron Smith didn’t play university golf. 

Most of those winners were American, and you would expect them to progress through that proven system on their way to professional golf, but this rule applies to the International major winners, too.

Jon Rahm attended Arizona State University, Matt Fitzpatrick went to Northwestern, and even Hideki Matsuyama went to Tohoku Fukushi University in Japan. 

These environments have been proven to produce superstars, and talented golfers push each other to fulfill their potential in every aspect of their game.

Shiels isn’t recommending you enroll to play in the NCAA, but if you can find a way to replicate this competitive environment, it could do wonders for your game!