Target Practice

• Pick two targets on the range to make an imaginary green
• Level 1 – Hit a wedge. If successfully within the boundaries, go to level 2
• Level 2 – Hit a 7 iron. If successfully within the boundaries, go to level 3
• Level 3 – Hit a drive. If successfully within the boundaries, you pass the game
• If at any time you miss a shot, start again
• When you can pass the game 3 times in a row, make the target smaller.
• If you fail the game 3 times in a row, make the target bigger

Towel Practice

This is another speed control game on the greens. It will test your feel quite a bit!

• Paint a black golf hole on an old towel measuring about 3ft x 3ft
• Make 5 stations around the towel in a circle
• Putt a ball from each of those stations twice – never the same station in a row.
• Score yourself out of 10 for how many stayed on the towel (collect the ball after each putt)
• Start 5 feet away from the towel – if you can score 6/10, move back a foot, and keep continuing.
• If you only get 3/10, move closer.

Seal the Deal

This game is intended to improve your feel on the putting green, and improve your lag putts.

• Start from 10 feet away
• Putt two balls towards the hole – one long of the hole, and one short
• Now you are going to try and “seal the deal” – Your next putt needs to end up between your short and long putts.
• You must start over if any of your 3 putts fail to achieve their goal.
• If you are successful in sealing the deal, use your feet to pace off the distance between your long and short ball. If it is 6 feet, or less you can move on to the next level
• Level 2 is played from 15 feet away, level 3 if 20 feet, level 4 is 25 feet etc.
• See how far you can make it!

Mastering the Strike

• Using a dry erase marker pen, draw a dot on the ball
• Place it in a position so the dot will be hit (back of the ball, slightly below the equator).
• Draw a line down the middle of the clubface
• Level 1
  • A – hit ten shots from the toe side of the club (pass = 7/10)
  • B – hit ten shots from the heel side of the club (pass = 7/10)
• Level 2 = 20 shots, alternating between toe and heel side. Pass rate = 14/20
• Level 3 – split the clubface into thirds – a toe1/3^rd, heel 1/3^rd and middle 1/3^rd
  • A – hit ten shots from the toe side of the club (pass = 7/10)
  • B – hit ten shots from the heel side of the club (pass = 7/10)
  • C – hit ten shots from the middle 1/3^rd of the club (pass = 7/10)
• Level 4 = 30 shots, alternating between segments – pass rate = 20/30
• Level 5 = same as above, but set up out of the opposing segment (e.g. hit a toe shot while setting up out of the heel)

These games are lumped under differential and variability learning, and have been shown to speed up your awareness, coordination and strike quality long-term (much more than just trying to hit the center).

Focus Putting

Place a small coin on the ground – putt from 4ft

• Make 5 stations around the coin.

• Putt 20 balls from each station

• Get a score out of 100

First time – try to think about where the coin is (target awareness)

Second time – try to think about keeping your head still during the shot

Third time – try to think about the line on the putter head at address

Fourth time – try breathing out as you putt – focus on the breath

See which one you score highest with – use that one during competitions. Each player can respond to different focal points during putting, and this game might help you discover which one you are most successful with.