“Hey Pro, When Do You Practice?”

Today’s PGAmagazine.com Blog moderator is PGA Professional Scott Hebert.  Scott is the PGA head professional at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa in Acme, Mich.  The winner of the 2008 PGA Professional National Championship, Scott was a member of the victorious U.S. Team in the 24th PGA Cup and is a six-time Michigan Open Champion and a four-time Michigan PGA Champion.

First, let me state emphatically that all PGA Professionals love the game of golf.  If they say they don’t, they’re lying.  But working at a game you love is difficult, especially when you want to play golf at the highest level.  My friends think I have the greatest job in the world.  “You go to work, play golf, and get paid for it!” they say.  Not true.  During the golf season, I work almost every day, and seldom play golf.

Plus, when PGA Professionals do get the chance to play in events, we are expected to excel.  Just like our students, without practice, performance suffers.  So here is how I balance my family, my job and my golf game.

Schedule time to play.
I schedule time to play with members and guests.  My members appreciate the game, truly enjoy playing with me, and it gives me a chance to play.  We need to put playing back in the PGA Professional’s job description.

Support your chapter pro-ams.
Playing in my chapter’s pro-ams is what I use to keep my game in tournament shape.  I not only use these one day pro-am competitions to keep my game sharp, but also to reconnect with my peers.  Plus, I enjoy the camaraderie with my club members.

Good, Better, Best.
Practice on a limited schedule requires discipline.  You need to go to the practice tee with a plan.  Remember the last round you played, what went well and where you struggled.  Don’t practice what you did well.  Instead, practice where you struggled.  This sounds easy, but it requires discipline.

Practice like someone is watching.
This was a great piece of advice I read somewhere, but that sums it up.  Remember we are on a schedule and there is always something else we could be doing.

Don’t get mad, get better.
This advice I got from my father.  The game of golf is more mental than physical and when you lose control of your emotions, you may as well go back to work because you’re now wasting time.  If you can’t think clearly on the practice tee, you won’t stand a chance on the course.

Opposites Attract.
This is the fastest method to become a better ball striker.  If you only hit pull-fades, practice hitting under-draws.  This is the secret to golf.  Only when you are able to hit shots that turn left-to-right and right-to-left will you be able to hit it straight.

Plan to Play.
Everyone would like to play more, but without scheduling time you will not play.  Create a list of your members and check off everyone you played golf with during the 2009 season.  Set a higher goal for 2010 and try and reach it.

Comments

[Casey]

Great ideas Scott. How many members did you check off last year. What kind of practice schedule did you keep last year?

[Sam Arnold, PGA Head Professional, The Vineyard Golf Course, Cincinnati, Ohio]

Scott,

Great article - I totally agree! Thank you for doing this and I think more PGA Professionals need to promote playing! Well done. I will see you at French Lick in June. Have a great Spring!

[Joe Pollack, PGA Assistant Professional, Boulder Creek G.C., Belmont, Mich.]

Scott,

Why didn't you play better in the two tour events I caddied for you last year? I could have used the money:-)

[Brian Groszek, PGA Head Professional, Royal Hawk C.C., St. Charles, Ill.]

Scott,

This is a great article, as I have definitely gotten away from practice and playing in the last couple years and make excuses as to why I can't find the time. I plan on utilizing these ideas for this year and getting my game back!