How to Practice Trouble Shots Under Pressure

Add a score to the escape

Trouble practice should include consequences. Drop a ball behind a tree, in rough, or on a slope and play it until holed. Par is whatever a sensible recovery should produce: maybe three shots from trees, maybe two from greenside rough.

The five-ball recovery test

1. Create five different bad lies.
2. Choose the safest playable target for each.
3. Hit one ball only.
4. Record whether the next shot is clear.
5. Repeat next week and compare decisions, not just contact.

When reviewing these sessions, FocusGolf can help separate the swing from the choice. Its Wear OS, Apple Watch, and Garmin app detects swings automatically, tracks shots and distances without sensors, and stores session history; paired with video review, the swing metrics can show whether a shorter punch swing stayed controlled or crept back toward full speed.

Pressure rule

If the first recovery does not create a clear next shot, count it as a failed decision even if contact felt good. Trouble-shot practice is about escaping the hole, not impressing the range.