Proper training is an important factor in improving your game. An often overlooked aspect of golf training is the short game. Extra time at the range hitting the long ball is a blast; nothing will improve your game more than spending you time working on shots ranging less than 100 yards.

The secret to any training system is to stick a routine. Split your training time evenly between both the long and short game. Two hours pounding drives should equal committing to two hours putting on the 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.

Your putter swing is absolutely the most important part of your routine training. Matches are lost and won on the green more than other sections of the course. Practice shots from inches to feet, uphill, cross slope and downhill while on the putting green.

It is also important to remember that you can practice at home as well. There may be a part of the garden that a few deep chips will not hurt. You can let the back yard go without mowing an extra week and practice short, gentle chip shots without hurting the turf.

Metered practice will improve your game more than any elements of your golf training routine. Spending an hour, a few days a week, will pay off more that long stints on the weekend. Weekends are best-spent playing eighteen any way.