In order to improve your finesse wedge game, it's important to practice ... intelligently. As Titleist staff member James Sieckmann advises, try to structure your practice to be as similar to real playing conditions as possible. One way to recreate real-world conditions is to use games to simulate on-course pressure.

Another, as James discusses in this video, is to dedicate a large portion of your practice time to random practice. In random practice, you play a wide variety of finesse shots from different lies, distances, etc. (just as you encounter during a round of golf). Block practice, where you hit a number of shots the same way, with the same club, over and over, is important for building proper technique, but so much of the short game relies on artistry - imagination, creativity and adaptability - that James suggests splitting up your practice time as follows:

• Block Practice: Fundamental Development (10-20%)
• Random Practice: Skill Development (70%)
• Practice Games: Transfer Training (10-20%)

Follow James' formula for working "hard and smart" and bring your short game skills to the next level.