There is probably no facet of your golf game that cannot be improved by practice. However, unless you are retired or independently wealthy, your day is probably taken up with job and home responsibilities. Playing an actual round of golf-instead of practicing-seems like a much better way to spend what little free time you do have. The best way to increase the value of your limited practice time is by using golf practice drills. By focusing on specific parts of your golf game and concentrating your practice, you'll be able to get more done in your practice sessions and be more satisfied with your golf game once you get onto the course.

How many chances do you get to play each golf shot when you're on the course? Normally, just one. Golf practice drills allow you to set up your difficult shots time and time again. Not only will you be able to develop things like accuracy and distance control, you will add to your self-assurance. Increased self-assurance could have a more significant impact on your score than any golf swing tip or new putting method.

Here's a golf practice drill that can really help your putting. Take 20 golf balls and lay them out in a plus sign or cross with the hole in the middle. This will give you four lines of five balls each. Now, putt each golf ball into the cup. It's your choice-you can clear a whole line at a time or putt in the four nearest balls, the four second nearest and so on. To increase the pressure and make this golf practice drill more effective, force yourself to start over from the beginning any time you fail to sink a putt. Can you imagine the tension this adds to the drill, especially after you've gotten 13 or 14 straight? If you want to fine tune your distance control and really learn what a good putt feels like, this is the practice drill for you.

You can improve your putting if you keep your shoulders and arms in the shape of a triangle. Do you have trouble doing that? Here's something to try. Pick up one of your other clubs and hold it across your chest with the shaft under your arms. Putt the golf ball without dropping the club. Developing a precise and consistent putting stroke will be much easier if you incorporate this golf practice drill into your regular routine.

So now that your putting is on the road to improvement, what about your golf swing? Correct body rotation is an important element of the golf swing. This golf practice drill trains you in the correct body rotation. Take one of your golf clubs and hold it across your shoulders with the shaft behind your head. Position yourself as if you're about to tee off. Don't slack off because this is a drill-get your posture right. Rotate back until the shaft of the club behind your head is pointing straight up and down. Then, finish the drill by rotating at the waist. Move through the impact area (as if the golf ball were there) and continue to the follow through position. Do this rotation drill a few times throughout your practice session. Have you heard of physical memory? This is teaching your muscles to remember what the right rotation feels like.

The best way to lower your golf score is to put together a practice routine using a full range of golf practice drills. Smart practice like this will help you achieve more in whatever practice time you do have.