Let me tell you about my worst practice session ever.
I spent two hours hitting balls at the range, feeling great about every shot. Then, I played the next day and couldn’t hit water if I fell out of a boat. That’s when I learned that random practice isn’t really practice at all.
After years of trial and error, I’ve learned that getting better isn’t about practicing more—it’s about practicing right. I’ve tested dozens of golf practice routines over the years, and I’ve narrowed it down to ten that actually work. Not just on the range, but where it matters: on the course.
Start with Goals and Track Progress
Here’s what changed my game: I started treating each practice session like a mini-lesson with myself.
Instead of vague goals like ‘get better at putting,’ I got specific.
Really specific.
For example, I noticed I was missing most of my putts to the right. So I set a simple goal: make 20 three-footers, focusing on keeping my putter face square at impact.
When I started hitting that target consistently, I’d move to four-footers. Small steps, but they add up fast.
Use your phone to track your practice stats. I have a basic notes app where I jot down things like ‘Made 15/20 three-footers today’ or ‘8/10 chips within three feet of target.’ Trust me, seeing those numbers improve is addictive.
Tackle Your Weaknesses
We all have that one shot that makes us cringe. Mine? Bunker shots.
I used to avoid practicing them like they were radioactive. But here’s the thing: those weaknesses? They’re actually your fastest path to lower scores.
Think about it: if you’re shooting in the low 90s and losing three shots per round to bad bunker play, fixing that one issue drops you into the 80s.
That’s huge.
Here’s how I tackle my weak spots:
- Pick one weakness per practice session (trying to fix everything at once is like trying to eat an elephant in one bite)
- Spend 15 minutes minimum on just that shot
- Start simple: If bunkers are your nemesis, don’t try hitting high, soft-landing shots right away. Just focus on making clean contact and getting out in 1 shot.
Schedule these practice sessions when nobody’s watching. There’s nothing worse than trying to figure out your slice while the entire range gallery watches. Early morning or twilight hours are perfect for working on your weaknesses without an audience.
Practice with a Purpose
It’s 6 PM, you’ve got one hour before the range closes and a bucket of balls sitting in front of you. Most golfers grab their driver and start blasting away.
But you’re smarter than that now.
Here’s my go-to one-hour practice blueprint that’s actually helped me drop five strokes off my handicap:
First 15 minutes: Start with putting, but make it count. I set up three balls at different positions around a hole and play ‘must make two out of three’ before moving back. It’s amazing how adding a little pressure to practice putts makes them feel more like the real thing.
Next 15 minutes: Short game. I pick three targets and play ‘up-and-down’ with myself. Each successful up-and-down earns a point. My record is 7 out of 10 attempts—still trying to beat that one.
Last 30 minutes: Now we’re hitting the full shots, but here’s the key: I play imaginary holes from my home course. Instead of mindlessly pounding balls, I’m hitting shots I actually need on the course.
Master the Key Drills
I’ve tried every drill under the sun. Some were great, some were garbage, and some just made me look silly.
Here are the ones that delivered results:
The Putting Gate
Remember those three-foot putts that keep you up at night? Here’s your fix: Stick two tees in the ground just wider than your putter head, about three feet from the hole.
Now putt through your ‘gate.’ Miss the gate?
That’s an automatic push or pull. Hit the tees?
You’re coming over the top.
After a week of this drill, I started making 8 out of 10 short putts. Just don’t do it during peak hours at your club—setting up tees on the practice green tends to attract unwanted swing advice from every passing golfer.
The Chip Clock
This one’s my favorite because it makes chipping practice fun (yes, really).
Place five balls in a circle around a hole, each about 10 feet away, like numbers on a clock. Your challenge? Get three out of five within two feet of the hole.
Once you can do that consistently, move the balls back or try different clubs.
The 9-to-3 Drill
Instead of making a massive shoulder turn like Rory McIlroy, try this: Take your normal stance but only swing the club back to where your hands are at 9 o’clock and through to 3 o’clock.
It’s like hitting half shots but with full control.
I use this one when my swing feels as coordinated as a giraffe on roller skates. It helps you find that tempo again without trying to overpower the ball.
Practice Like You Play
Every practice session needs to feel like you’re playing golf. And I don’t mean just imagining you’re on the course—I mean recreating those sweaty-palm moments when your ball’s sitting in a divot and you’re trying to save par.
Let me share my favorite ‘real golf’ practice routine:
The One-Ball Challenge
Instead of rapid-firing balls at the range, hit one and go through your entire routine. I mean everything—pick your target, take your practice swings, adjust your grip, the works. Sure, the guy next to you might blast through his bucket while you’re still on ball three, but guess who’s building actual course habits?
The Pressure Cooker
This one’s brutal but effective. Take 10 balls and give yourself one shot to hit each one onto the green from 100 yards.
Every miss costs you 10 push-ups. Trust me, it’s amazing how much better you focus when push-ups are on the line.
(Feel free to adjust the punishment—I switched to having to clean my golf clubs after too many push-ups.)
The Par-18 Game
This is my go-to short-game practice routine. Pick six spots around the practice green. You get three attempts from each spot to get up-and-down for par.
Your goal is to shoot even par (18) or better. The first time I tried this, I shot 24. Now, on a good day, I’m down to 20.
Still working on that 18!
Add consequences to your practice. Maybe it’s push-ups, putting a dollar in the ‘lesson jar,’ or just texting your regular playing partners your embarrassing score.
Whatever works for you.
And please, for the love of golf, practice those awkward lies. Those weird lies are like tax season—they’re coming whether you’re prepared or not.
Practice Smarter, Not Harder
As a weekend golfing enthusiast, practice time is hard to come by. But you don’t need a fancy membership or five hours a day.
You just need a plan that works for your life. It’s not about the hours you put in but what you put into those hours. I used to think beating balls until my hands blistered was the path to improvement.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t.
The goal isn’t to become the next Tiger Woods. It’s to play better golf with the time you’ve got. And maybe win a few bucks from your buddies along the way.