Whether you’re aiming for the fairway on a beginner course or plotting to conquer a par-5 hole at a championship course, refining your golf skills is key to playing your best game. One of the most effective ways to improve? Practicing targeted drills that can strengthen specific aspects of your game.
Alignment Stick Drill
Proper alignment is essential for consistent and accurate shots. Use alignment sticks (or clubs) to create visual reference points for your feet, hips, and clubface.
- Place one stick on the ground for your clubface line and another for your feet alignment.
- Practice ensuring all lines are correctly aligned while striking the ball.
This drill is great for building a habit of aiming properly on every shot.
One-Handed Putting Drill
Master the art of control on the greens with this drill!
- Use your dominant hand to practice one-handed putting while staying square to the target.
- Focus on generating a smooth, controlled stroke and maintaining a still head position.
This develops feel and ensures you’re not overcomplicating your putting stroke.
Gate Drill for Putting
Consistency in putting can shave strokes off your score.
- Set two tees just wider than your putter head and practice hitting putts through the “gate.”
- Focus on proper alignment and striking the ball from the center of the face every time.
This drill will improve your accuracy by ensuring you avoid mishits.
Chipping Circle Drill
To improve your short game, place tees or coins in a circle around the hole at various distances.
- Practice chipping balls from 10–20 yards outside the circle with the goal of landing them within the circle or sinking them.
- This develops touch, accuracy, and confidence around the green.
Balanced Swing Drill
Balance is a foundational skill in golf.
- Stand on an uneven surface (like a foam balance pad) or practice on one leg while making slow swings.
- Focus on maintaining balance throughout the swing.
You’ll find that this drill helps create both stability and fluidity, which are crucial for all stages of the swing.
200-Yard Target Drill
For players struggling with their driver, the 200-yard target drill can help increase accuracy.
- Pick a target at 200 yards and use your driver to aim not for distance but consistency in landing close to or hitting your target.
- This helps focus on swing control rather than brute force.
Pause-and-Hold Drill
If tempo is an issue, practice pausing your backswing at the top for a moment before transitioning into your downswing.
- Spend time feeling the motion with smooth, controlled movements.
- This improves rhythm and prevents rushing, which often leads to wild shots or poor contact.
Bunker Practice Drill
Sand shots can ruin a great round if you haven’t mastered them.
- Draw a line in the sand a few inches behind the ball and focus on striking just behind the line.
- Repeat this motion, ensuring clean sand entry before contact with the ball.
After consistent practice, greenside bunkers will no longer feel like a nightmare!
Tee Drill for Ball Striking
To strike the ball cleanly, use this simple drill.
- Place a tee in the ground just high enough for the ball to rest on.
- Practice swinging without making contact with the ground or just barely grazing it to develop precision and ensure clean ball-first strikes.
Wedge Distance Control Drill
Pitching and wedge distances can make or break scoring opportunities.
- Practice hitting to different distances (e.g., 30, 50, 70 yards) while focusing on controlling your swing length and speed.
- Begin to feel the correlation between your swing and specific yardages over time.
This drill builds touch and precision for those finesse shots when you’re pin hunting, even in-home golf simulator.
Conclusion
Practicing these top 10 drills can transform your game by targeting all aspects of your swing, short game, and overall consistency on the course. Training regularly with purpose will not only refine your skills but also boost your confidence when it’s time to play.
