By Sarah Bidney
No matter your golfing ability, how you practice matters. First things first, always have a target in mind. To ensure proper alignment lay clubs down on the ground to aid in your aim.
Second, no matter what you’re working on, remember quality over quantity is key. I always ask my students to take their time with each shot – they need to have a simple thought in mind – keep it clear, keep it simple. Having too many swing thoughts can be overwhelming. I would rather hear a client hit 25 shots with a clear purpose than hit 200 without much thought. The first is practice, the second is exercise.
Need some focus? Here are three basic ideas to work on:
•As mentioned above, set up an alignment station with 2 clubs or sticks on the ground parallel to each other. The imaginary line through your ball, parallel with the sticks/clubs on the ground, is your true target line. 
•Work on brushing the grass on the target side of the ball.
•Once you brush the grass be sure to finish, avoid getting stuck with your head down trying to force the brush of the grass.
Finish with your weight completely on your front foot (back foot is up on it’s tip toe, none of the sole of your shoe should be pressed against the ground)
Correct follow through
The front side of your body should be pointing at or past your target.
It really isn’t any coincidence your best shots have an effortless and balanced finish!
Keep it simple, take your time and get more out of your practice starting now.
The Grass is Greenest in Your Own Fairway… Let’s work to find it more often!
More Pro Tips by Sarah Bidney: Keys to a Successful Grip
Sarah Bidney, PGA Teaching Professional, has been helping golfers improve their games since 2002. Having taught in Naples, Florida, and Park City, Utah, she returned to Iowa in 2008 to grow the game of golf in her home state. Currently Sarah is the only woman to be named the Iowa PGA Teaching Professional of the Year (2010 & 2012) and is a 2-time Golf Range Association of America Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional. Sarah loves to help clients of all ability levels improve their game and their enjoyment of golf. She resides in Urbandale, Iowa, with her spouse and two children. Sarah writes a bi-monthly golf pro tip blog series, published every other Friday, in the hopes of helping golfers across the country improve their life-long love of the game.
Sarah Bidney, PGA
2010 & 2012 Iowa PGA Teaching Professional of the Year
2012 & 2013 GRAA Top 50 Growth of the Game Teaching Professional
2012 U.S. Kids Top 50 Kids Teachers – Honorable Mention
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