A proper training programme is the most important part of your golf training routine. When training, most folks forget to work on shots close to the green. Extra hours hitting a picturesque drive can be fun, but fixing the kinks in your shots in the sub 100-yard range will cut strokes from you card faster.
For and training regiment to be effective, you must keep a regular routine. Golf training time should be shared equally between driving and approaches. An hour pounding drives should at least equal an hour on the putting green.
Do not neglect approach shots either, or chip shots and or shots out of the sand. A long, arrow straight drive is a thing of beauty to watch, but an accurate chip shot will save two-puts and win matches. When training, it is best to simulate real world conditions. Sure, you could rake the sand perfectly smooth for each and every practice shot and place ball gently on top, but that will never happen on the course. Toss the ball straight up in the air to simulate the dreaded fried egg flop. Set your practice shots up right against the wall of the sand trap practice high angle outs, or the smart shot off to the side.
There has to be a park in the neighborhood that is not always trimmed on time. Train at rescuing your game from the deep salad. Not making it to the driving range is not a reason to skip training. If you spent an hour at the driving range this morning, then you owe yourself an hour of short game practice. A bucket of balls is the only equipment you need to practice chipping from the unattended edges at the park.
Incorporating your putter into your training routine will prove the most important thing you can do. More matches are decided on the green than any other part of the course. Practice the long shots, the short taps and even a few from the fringe while on the putting green.
Do not forget that you can practice at home too. You can chip from the garden and weed at the same time. Refrain from mowing the back yard another week and practice some light chip shots. Find a neighbor and take turns hitting practice balls into each other yard to work on blind chip shots.
Regular practice is the most important element in your training routine. You will be better off with an hour, three times a day than four hours on a Sunday. Most important, enjoy your time. Golf is no fun if becomes work.