To reach perfection in our game with the small ball, we need a lot of training. Optimal training includes the swing technique, ability to concentrate, physical stamina, and dealing with stressful situations.

In major tournaments the player needs great abilities of concentration and physical stamina, during several days. This can only be achieved if the player has a good physical condition and basic health. Beneficial practices are jogging two or three times per week, quick walking (preferably in hilly terrain), gym exercise, swimming, cycling, etc… without forgetting to monitor the heart beat rate.

Also swing technique training should be done twice a week, for an hour or two (straight shot, spin shots, delicate force shots). It is not so important to play a huge number of shots, but rather to pay careful attention to the small details of playing technique. Where am I standing, compared to the lane and the ball? How am I holding the putter? How do I perform the swing (especially when using side spins)? Remember to test different kinds of balls in the delicate force shots.

In the optimal case, this training should be done under the supervision of more experienced players, who give their psychological support, and can make comments about details that could be performed in a better way.

Monday	10-20 min. gym exercise etc.	30-60 min. jogging etc.
Tuesday	10-20 min. gym exercise etc.	swing technique training
Wednesday	10-20 min. gym exercise etc.	30-60 min. jogging etc.
Thursday	10-20 min. gym exercise etc.	swing technique training
Friday	10-20 min. gym exercise etc.

Training of national team candidates, and preparation for a major tournament

When we arrive at a minigolf course where we have never played before, or where our playing experience is very limited, it is advisable to practice the minigolf course in groups.

Each group should include 3 or 4 players, practicing 4 or 5 lanes of the minigolf course. Then the groups exchange their experiences and playing instructions, and take another set of 4 or 5 lanes under examination, until all players have practiced all lanes. To learn the lanes properly, it is necessary to use at least 1½ or 2 practice days for a course of 18 holes.

It is also important to perfect the skill of choosing and fine-tuning the best possible ball material for each lane. Everything that is learned, should be effectively and continually communicated between the players, team leader and coaches, to make it possible for the team to handle all difficulties and problems immediately when they arise.

Interval training is a good way to learn the playing rhythm of the lanes of the course. For example, repeating the lanes 1 – 5, then repeating lanes 6 – 9, and so on. (Or repeating lanes 1 – 5, then lanes 5 – 9, then lanes 9 – 14, and so on.) The pauses between training sessions should not be left too short. Relaxation is an important part of training.

Some players prefer more training of lanes, while others prefer to play more rounds. For both kinds of players it is important not to neglect the other aspect too much. (If a player prefers to focus mostly on lane training, he should also play enough rounds. And a player who prefers to focus mostly on playing rounds, should also spend enough time on lane training.)

To prepare the players properly for the tournament, also stressful situations should be simulated during the practice rounds. (Making disturbing noises, or restlessly walking here and there near the player, while he is concentrating for a difficult shot.) Sufficient time for relaxation should be allowed between such simulated disturbances. Afterwards the mistakes made by the player can be analyzed, to assess how well he performed under stress, compared to his performance in a relaxed state of mind.

These stress rounds should not be arranged too often, and not on the last day of practice before the competition. Otherwise the players might become too tired or stressed to maintain a solid state of mind and body during the competition.

To create a good atmosphere in the team, it is important that the players can fully trust their team leader and coaches in all situations. Finding the right kind of persons as coaches for major tournaments is often a difficult task for the team leader. It would be ideal if one or two national team candidates, who practice with the team players all year but cannot qualify into the team, make themselves available for coaching duties.

The players need to feel good during the training days and competition. This requires a well-chosen hotel, comfortable room-mates, not too long distance from hotel to minigolf course, and well arranged food supply during the competition.