When we practice a skill, there are two ways to practice it. One is called block practice. That refers to doing the same skill over and over until you get it right. Another way is called random practice. That means to practice one skill a little while, switch to another one for bit, switch to maybe a third, and keep going back and forth.

Researchers have found that when a person uses block practice exclusively, their progress is slow and day-to-day gains are small. Random practice on the other hand leads to quicker, larger gains, on each skill.

So the next time you go to the range, try this. Warm up with a few wedges, short ones, long ones, then a few 7-irons, a driver or two. Then go back and forth among these three clubs in no particular order.

The reason this works better is because when you work on one skill over and over, after a while your mind becomes disengaged. You lose focus and stop learning anything. You might even go backwards.

Switching to a different skill at frequent intervals gives your brain a new problem to solve, keeping it alive, alert, focused, and active.

Read this article for a fuller explanation.