Hi Paul-
Back to practice...
Structured practice is good, but the focus of each practice or section of each practice must match your needs and intent. For instance:
1. Technical/Mechanical
2. Repeatability/Feel
2. Distance/Power
3. Accuracy
4. Preparing to compete-use of baselines, pressure, situational variances etc
5. Mental
As with all sports, the mental side is as important as any of the other. Whether it's casting at a sighted fish, spot in a stream or for competition, optimal performance comes from a heightened awareness and focus while simultaneously staying physically and emotionally relaxed. This is an oxymoron for most people as the harder they focus, the harder they try and more they tighten up. However, with some work it can be trained. The problem is, in today's "tell me what I'm doing wrong so I can do well today" world, most people lack the dedication or commitment to carry thru with effectively working on a mental game.
You said "Enlightenment" describing a feeling you must get when working on accuracy going from target to target. The ZONE. The zone is the ultimate heightened self and spatial awareness accompanied by a tremendous calm and sense of righteousness. It's a place misunderstood by most people. As a result, most people have no idea how they end up in the zone. I was fortunate to be trained, while in college, be two Olympic swimmers on a program which would put me in a transcendent place, like the zone. All my practice session employ a degree of this program. If you wish, I can email you something I have written describing the process. Fly casting has replaced golf in this way for me!
Putting together a structured practice needs to allow room for adjustment based on self awareness. Some days we have more patience than others. Some days we are more calm than others. Some days we are more coordinated than others. etc etc. Adjusting and tailoring a session allows for the most benefit.
These ideas and tenants played a huge role in my 16 year career on the PGA Tour. At 6'7", my skill and ability at repeating shots was substandard at best. But, the tour is all about taking advantage of situations, something I luckily realized early on.
As for wind.....it's amazing when throwing for distance the difference a slight breeze in vs away can make in the lay out and reach of a cast.....just saying. Give me 5 mph down and left to right and I'm feeling a false sense of machismo. LOL.
Love the drill Mangrove Cuckoo
Cheers
Phil