‘How practice rounds let you master shots’

Solve problem shots in your stress-free practice

that. When I was healed and able to start my comeback, I had to develop a slightly different movement through the ball. But the biggest change I made was in my practice routine, as I explain in my five tips on this and the previous page.

I play competitive practice rounds here and there, but not so much. I still play with my friends, but for fun. I thought I would lose my competitiveness between tournaments if I didn’t compete in ‘social’ rounds. But I think we play enough competitive rounds in our careers. Instead, I work on improving my shots in ‘social’. I think copying that could help anyone.

In my #1 advice, I mention how the birth of my kid made a difference. The big proof to me that my mentality is now a lot different was when I started winning last year I didn’t feel the same excitement. Before, it meant so much; every result meant so much. Now it is more like “OK” and it just meant less to me. Because I don’t care how it goes as much, I can focus better on the important things. It is not so life dependent and it sounds a bit like I don’t care, but I know when I am on the first tee I really care. It’s just that after a round I really don’t care as much as I used to. Whether it is 70 or 65 or 75 doesn’t matter like it used to.

Winning four times surprised me, though. It was not in my thinking and it has been a little odd coming to tournaments this year with people saying “you are ranked this and this”. I was never really that guy before so it put a little extra pressure on myself. It has helped that I now have had a little bit of success in America. Before, I wasn’t sure if I was ever good enough for America because, while the European Tour is very strong, I am so much more comfortable on it, therefore it is easier to have success there. With more starts over in America, I feel more comfortable now.

BMW PGA champ Alex Noren signed to wear Nike apparel and shoes at the start of 2017.

I am not competitive at all when I practise on the course. Yes, I’m trying to hit the best possible shots, but I am not keeping score – it is more the balance of hitting the right shot and playing holes like they’re meant to be played. If I just practised on the driving range and then went out to compete with my buddies in a money match and faced a dog-leg left around a tree, I’d just opt for my ‘go to’ shot to make sure I found the fairway. But in my new way of practising, I try to actually hit the correct shots for the hole because I know in the long run that is going to be more helpful. So I’ll throw five balls down and learn how to hit a draw round the tree when I need to. In the end my ultimate goal is to hit that shot during a tournament. If the next hole asks for a fade, then that is what I will hit. This is the best way to improve, I think.