If you have an opportunity to attend the 3M Championship at TPC Twin Cities, it is a great time to learn and observe how the best golfers in the world approach their practice and study their technique.  You can learn a lot spending time on the practice range and short game area.  

Chipping and Pitching

Observe their club selection and how they change clubs based on the distance, lie, and the desired ball flight.  Many amateurs tend to only chip and pitch with their highest lofted club.  Pay attention to the players posture, grips and ball position.

Bunker Play

The elite player’s set up for a bunker shot is much different than a pitch shot or full swing.  Their stance is wider, the club face tends to be very open and the position the handle much lower that they would make a standard pitch shot.  Note the length of the swing and the speed that they swing the club.

Putting

Observe the consistency and precision of their set up.   Note the distance that they stand from the ball, the amount of tilt from the hips and the relationship of their body alignments.  Look at the relationship of the backswing to the forward swing and the tempo and pace of the stroke.

Warm-ups and Practice

Warming up for a round and practice are two very different processes.  If you observe a player warming up, they are getting their body prepared to play and hitting a series of shots with several different clubs typically starting with short irons and working into driver.  Generally, they are trying to get themselves in a positive mindset and get a gauge on their ball striking for the day.

A practice session will typically be after a round and the focus will be more on ball flight errors, swing changes or things that they didn’t do well on the golf course.  Notice that the player will typically be using some tools for feedback.  They may use some type of training aid, a launch monitor, many have their coach or caddie observing them.

Attending a PGA Tour event like the 3M Championship is a great opportunity to observe and learn from the best players in the world.  By observing the techniques, strategies, and approaches of tour players, golfer can gain valuable insights into improving their own games.