Purposeful Practice Routines
Purposeful Practice Routines for Every Golfer
Golfers often fall into the trap of “range exercise”—hitting bucket after bucket without a plan. This feels productive, but it rarely leads to lasting improvement. Purposeful practice means practicing with structure, feedback, and measurable goals.
Here’s how golfers at different skill levels can build routines that accelerate progress.
1. High Handicaps (20+ Handicap)
Goal: Build solid fundamentals, make consistent contact, and reduce wasted strokes.
Driving Range Routine (45 min)
Warm-Up (10 min): Start with short irons (wedge to 8-iron), focusing on solid contact and balance.
Fairway Finder Drill (15 min): With driver or 3-wood, pick a target between two flags/poles. Goal: 7/10 in your “fairway zone.” If slicing/hooking, exaggerate corrections.
Solid Contact Ladder (15 min): Hit 5 shots each with PW, 7-iron, and hybrid. Track % of clean, centered strikes.
Short Game Routine (30 min)
One Club Around the Green (15 min): Use just a 9-iron or PW to hit bump-and-run chips from 10–20 yards. Goal: 7/10 within 6 feet.
Lag Putting Drill (15 min): From 30–40 feet, putt 10 balls. Goal: leave 7/10 inside a 3-foot circle.
Purpose: Reduce big misses, keep the ball in play, and build confidence with one go-to short game shot.
2. Mid Handicaps (10–19 Handicap)
Goal: Improve distance control, sharpen short game versatility, and eliminate double bogeys.
Driving Range Routine (60 min)
Warm-Up (10 min): Start with wedges, focusing on trajectory control.
Three-Ball Approach Drill (20 min): Pick a 150-yard target. Hit 3 shots: one high, one low, one stock. Repeat with 7-iron and hybrid. Builds adaptability.
Driver Accuracy Challenge (20 min): Create a 30-yard “fairway.” Hit 10 drives. Goal: 7/10 in play. Track dispersion left vs. right.
Finish with Scoring Clubs (10 min): 50–100 yards. Learn your carry distances.
Short Game Routine (45 min)
Up-and-Down Challenge (20 min): Drop 10 balls in random lies around green. Goal: save 4–5 pars. Keep score like real golf.
Clock Putting Drill (15 min): Place 8 balls in a circle, 3–5 feet around the hole. Must make all 8 before moving on.
Lag + Pressure Drill (10 min): 40-foot putts. Putt 10 balls; must stop 8 within a 3-foot circle.
Purpose: Eliminate double bogeys, sharpen wedge game, and start turning bogeys into pars.
3. Competitive / Low Handicaps (<10 Handicap)
Goal: Precision, scoring under pressure, and shot shaping for course strategy.
Driving Range Routine (75 min)
Wedge Ladder (15 min): Hit to 50, 75, 100 yards. Must land 7/10 within a 10-yard radius. Track distances on a launch monitor if available.
Shot Shaping Drill (20 min): Pick a target. Hit a draw, fade, and straight ball with the same club. Rotate through 7-iron, 5-iron, and driver.
Pressure Simulation (20 min): Play “9 holes” on the range. Pick fairways, hazards, and green targets. Keep score based on accuracy zones.
Driver/Hybrid Consistency (20 min): Practice tee shots on “tight fairways.” Track % fairways hit and dispersion patterns.
Short Game Routine (60 min)
Random Up-and-Downs (20 min): Replicate tournament conditions: throw 10 balls into tough lies. Keep score. Goal: 50% conversion rate.
Distance Control Putting (20 min): 20–60 feet, ladder drill. Leave 8/10 inside a 3-foot circle.
Pressure Putting Game (20 min): Make 20 consecutive 4-foot putts. Restart at 0 if you miss. Builds tournament resilience.
Purpose: Prepare for tournament conditions, sharpen scoring shots, and practice under pressure.
The Takeaway
No matter your handicap, the key to purposeful practice is structure and feedback. Don’t just hit balls—measure outcomes, set challenges, and make your practice harder than the game. That way, the course feels easier than the range.
Remember: Amateurs practice until they get it right. Competitors practice until they can’t get it wrong.