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DRILL OVERVIEW
Jack Nicklaus Short Intervals Drill
Your drill at a glance
Mind gameDrill category
Focused practicePractice focus
15 minutes or lessEach practice interval
1 / 10Difficulty
Club, balls + timerEquipment
This drill is from the Golf Practice Made Fun App.
The Jack Nicklaus Short Intervals drill breaks practice into manageable blocks with time to relax between them. Choose one thing to work on, keep each interval to fifteen minutes or less, and step away before beginning another block.
When I played college golf in the 1990s, I thought hour after hour on the range would turn me into a golfing machine. Instead, I often finished tired and with a sore back. These days I prefer a clear purpose, a short period of attention and a proper pause.
One of my favourite sources of practical golf ideas is Quick Fix Golf. His advice about returning to a drill in short bursts struck a chord with me. The useful habit here is to return with attention, rather than keep hitting simply because there are balls left in the bucket.
Fifteen minutes is the limit for each practice block in this drill, not a deadline for all eighteen scored attempts. Spread the score across several blocks or sessions so you can keep the rests.
Watch the practice advice
Step 1. Choose one focus and set a short interval
What to do
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Pick one task | Choose a drill or one part of your game to practise. Keep the aim simple enough to describe in one sentence. |
| Set your timer | Choose an interval of fifteen minutes or less. A one-minute rehearsal or a five-minute block can also be useful ways to organise this drill. |
| Prepare the practice | Choose your target, club and intended shot before starting. Keep water nearby and have a way to record your score. |
| Use a familiar routine | Decide on the full pre-shot sequence you will use on every ball. Give each attempt the same attention. |
Step 2. Practise, then pause and relax
What to do
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Play one purposeful shot | Use your full pre-shot routine, then play the intended shot. Briefly notice what happened. |
| Rest between shots | Rest for several minutes between shots, rather than firing the next ball immediately. |
| Take a longer block break | At the end of your chosen interval, step away and relax for a few minutes before starting again. Stop earlier if your attention or comfort drops. |
| Return to the same focus | Begin the next block with a clear purpose. You can continue the same task or choose a new one after the break. |
Simple ways to take a break
| Try this | Keep it simple |
|---|---|
| Drink some water | Put the club down and give yourself a moment away from the task. |
| Look around | Watch the birds or take in the view rather than analysing every swing. |
| Relax your breathing | Let your breathing settle comfortably without turning the break into another performance task. |
| Move gently | Take an easy walk or do a comfortable stretch. Resume when you feel ready. |
The timer gives the session structure. You do not need to keep practising until it sounds if you have already lost focus. Keep the break restful and return when you are ready to pay attention again.
Step 3. Score 18 shots
What to do
Hit eighteen balls over your short practice sessions. Use your full pre-shot routine before each shot.
| Score | When to award it |
|---|---|
| 1 point | You used your full pre-shot routine. |
| 0 points | You skipped your routine. |
Score the first nine balls, then the next nine. Add the two scores together for your total out of eighteen.
Take your usual breaks between practice blocks. Breaks and shot results do not affect your score.
Use the idea on the course
Keep your full routine before the shot, then let your attention relax as you walk between shots. The original post calls this remembering to “smell the flowers”. Follow the pace of play; the several-minute rests are for practice-ground sessions.
George’s Conclusion
The Jack Nicklaus Short Intervals drill gives your practice a beginning, a clear purpose and a pause. Choose one task, keep the block short and give yourself room to return with attention.
Build your score out of eighteen over several intervals and keep the rests as part of the drill. For a way to make the routine itself more familiar, try the Jack Nicklaus Metronome Drill.
MAKE THE NEXT BUCKET COUNT
Pick a card. Practise with purpose.
