No Time to Practice? Sure You Do!

Kim Anders
Director of Instruction
John Jacobs Golf Schools and Academies Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort
Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico, AZ
jkanders4@gmail.com

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Life is busy! Between work, shuttling kids around, looking after the yard and everything else you have to do, when do you have time to practice your golf game? Everyone’s time is limited so you’ll be happy to know you don’t have to get in the car and drive to the course to spend 30 minutes or more on the practice tee, just practice at home! 

Five or ten minutes of “Shadow Golf” can do far more good than a bucket of balls or 9 holes of golf. And, I’ll bet it’s a lot more productive than either one of them. When you get home, grab a club and go out in the yard and position yourself so the sun is at your back and you are facing directly towards your shadow. Mornings and evenings are perfect for this because your shadow will be longer and it will be easier to see what you are doing. Make a few swings and watch your shadow.  

Like a picture, your shadow doesn’t lie. If you can make your shadow look good, you look good. Does your setup look like the players on the Tour? Watch your head to make sure there isn’t too much lateral movement on the backswing or forward swing. Look at your right hip. Does it move to the right on the backswing or stay in about the same place as where it started? Does your right knee move to the right on the backswing? Now turn sideways to see what your setup and swing looks like from that angle. This exercise allows you to see what you really look like without worrying about where the ball is going.  

Let’s face it, we’re all far too concerned with where the ball goes and not what makes it get there. By watching your shadow you will build “good looking” swings and become much more aware of what your body is doing. This awareness and repetition will translate to more consistent swings and shots. Even if your shots aren’t going where you want, they will have become more consistent. I’d much rather see the same swing flaw consistently than a new swing every time you pull the trigger. 

This is a great exercise that will do more for your game than a barrel of practice balls. Why not get the whole family out in the yard for a 10 minute round of “Shadow Golf”.  After all, golf is a family game and it is “A Game For Life”! 

Don’t know what to look for in your shadow? Your PGA Professional can show you all the things you should be watching when playing “Shadow Golf”. Now…no more excuses for not practicing! 

Kim Anders is Director of Instruction at the John Jacobs Golf Schools and Academies at the Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort in Mazatlan Mexico. You can contact Kim at jkanders4@gmail.com.