Many people believe that simply getting out on the course and playing as often as they can is practicing their golf game. While playing often does help you improve, to really see improvement you need to perform golf drills that will target very specific components of your game so you can improve them. Just getting out on the course means you could just be practicing the same errors, drills focus on golf mechanics and will fix those errors.

Drills to strengthen your core come in handy when you need to improve your swing. One such drill is similar to push ups. Get in a push-up position on the floor and hold your body straight with just your hands and feet on the floor. Then, lift your right hand and left leg up and balance for 10-15 seconds. Repeat this move with your left hand and right foot. This drill increases strength and also works on your balance.

One of the simplest putting drills is simply to practice putting when you have an opportunity. At home, you can putt a few shots during each commercial break of your favorite show. At work, putt a few while the computer boots up in the morning, or when youre waiting for a report to run. Vary your shots so youre not putting from the same distance each time. Adding a few practice putts in each day can go a long way in improving your putting skills.

No matter which drill you are working on, think about how your body is working while you practice the drill. Would you do better if you have more strength in your lower back? Would increased flexibility help you perform better? This is when you can combine fitness into your drill practice. If your drills help you identify areas where you can strengthen your body, by all means incorporate some exercises into your fitness routine to combat those weaknesses.

Drills can hone in on particular problem areas and really help you focus on the steps to improve those areas. With a little extra effort, youre on your way to a great game of golf.

Susan Hill

Susan Hill is the President of Fitness for Golf, a website dedicated to helping golfers improve through golf specific programs.

Susan has earned national certifications as a fitness trainer with several organizations including the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the International Sports Science Association, and the American Council on Exercise. She currently trains golfers of all levels at the Sunriver Resort, a top U.S. golf destination resort in Sunriver, Oregon.

As a Chek certified Golf Biomechanic and Sports Performance Nutritionist, she is now among an elite group of golf fitness experts nationwide. Susan has worked with hundreds of golfers ranging in skills from beginners just taking up the game of golf to collegiate, amateur and tour players looking for a more competitive edge.

She is a contributing writer to Golf Illustrated, a guest speaker at private and public golf clubs, and a published writer on topics of health, fitness and golf. She was selected as one of the top three trainers as the Trainer of the Year 2003, having been chosen among over 85,000 trainers across the country.

Her work has also been featured in SELF magazine and on ESPN radio.