Work on your short game – chipping, pitching, putting and bunker play account for more than 50 percent of your stokes in a round of golf so practice the things that can help you improve your score the most … the short game.

Have fun while you practice … practice can be as much fun as playing if you approach it the right way. Make a game of it by establishing goals in each practice session.

Remember long-term improvement – Don’t forget that even though you are trying to get the winter rust off of your game long-term improvement is the ultimate goal.

Establish a plan for improvement and follow that plan. You always want to ‘practice with a purpose’ and not just ‘beat practice balls.”

Long-term improvement comes from taking quality instruction, proper practice on a regular basis and the willingness to work on both the practice tee and the course.

Establish your plan for improvement and work on it…plan the work and then work the plan.

PGA professionals Marc Brady and Buddy Mason can be reached at Tryon Country Club at 828-859-9561 for more information.