Hayden Springer's TPI Assessment: What Golfers Can Learn about Practice from Math Class

When it comes to improving performance, not all practice is created equal. The structure of practice sessions has a major influence on skill retention, adaptability, and performance under pressure.

The latest video on our YouTube channel features our assessment with Hayden Springer and highlights why understanding the difference between “blocked” and “random” practice is a critical concept for golfers and coaches to understand.

This is one of Dr. Rose's favorite topics and one of the most important considerations in golf instruction.  After all, it doesn't matter what we are teaching if our golfers aren't learning.

Our online Golf Level 2 course features over 20 chapters on skill acquisition and practice principles.  Here's a portion of Dr. Rose's lecture on Blocked vs Random practice: 

Blocked Practice: Repetition Without Variation

Blocked practice involves repeating the same skill over and over in a predictable sequence. Imagine a student solving the same multiplication problem - “6 × 7” - ten times in a row. The student quickly learns the answer, but after a few repetitions, they’re simply recalling it from short-term memory rather than deeply processing the problem.

On the driving range, blocked practice might look like hitting a bucket of 7-irons to the same target with no changes in setup, club, or distance. The feedback feels positive because performance improves quickly within the session. But just like memorizing one math fact, the learning is often superficial. When the golfer faces a different lie or has to hit a different club on the course, the carryover is limited.

Random Practice: Training Adaptability

Random practice introduces variability. Instead of repeating “6 × 7” ten times, the student answers a sequence of different multiplication problems: 4 × 8, 9 × 6, 7 × 3, 6 × 7, and so on. Each time, the brain has to retrieve the solution method and apply it to a new situation. The process is slower and feels less comfortable, but the retention is far greater.

In golf, random practice might mean alternating between a driver, wedge, and 5-iron on consecutive swings, or hitting approach shots to different targets with varying distances and lies. This type of practice more closely resembles the demands of the course - no two shots are the same.

There’s a time and place for BOTH Blocked and Random practice, but, in general, Random is most effective for learning.

Blocked practice is like asking a golfer to solve the same math problem over and over again.

Random practice asks them to solve a new problem each rep. pic.twitter.com/9uLVPb3rKt

— TPI (@MyTPI) December 15, 2023

Why It Matters in Golf

Blocked practice creates a sense of confidence and fluency in the short term, which can be useful when learning a brand-new skill. Random practice, on the other hand, builds adaptability, problem-solving, and long-term retention.

• Blocked practice = good for early learning and technique refinement
   

• Random practice = better for preparing golfers for real-world performance
   

The key is balance. A golfer may start with blocked practice to establish mechanics, then shift toward random practice to prepare for on-course conditions.

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If you're a golfer interested in a physical assessment, you can connect with a TPI Certified expert via our Find an Expert page.