As we approach the 2025 golf season, now is the perfect time to refine your skills and lay the groundwork for a standout year. Incorporating effective drills into your practice routine can make all the difference. This guide outlines five of the most impactful drills, explaining how to practice them, what they are designed to accomplish, and how to track progress and provide feedback to your coach. For added insight, we’ve referenced tips from renowned coaches Adam Young and Chris Ryan to enhance your results.
Drill 1: The Gate Drill (Putting Accuracy)
Objective: Improve putting accuracy by developing a consistent stroke and precise aim.
How to Practice:
- Place two alignment sticks or tees on the green, spaced just slightly wider than the width of your putter head. This creates a “gate” for your putter to move through.
- Position a golf ball just in front of the gate. Ensure your putter can pass through without hitting the sticks or tees.
- Align your target, then make your putting stroke. Focus on keeping the putter face square and the stroke smooth as you roll the ball through the gate toward your target.
- Start with shorter putts and gradually increase the distance as you gain confidence and consistency.
Designed to Accomplish:
- Enhances the precision of your stroke by promoting centred contact.
- Builds confidence in making accurate, repeatable putts.
Scoring and Feedback:
- Track how many successful putts you make through the gate out of 10 attempts.
- Share your results with your coach to analyze your stroke path and alignment for further refinement.
For more tips on putting drills, visit “Adam Young’s Ultimate Putting Guide.”
Drill 2: The Line Drill (Swing Path and Ball Contact)
Objective: Refine your swing path and ensure solid ball contact for straighter, more
consistent shots.
How to Practice:
- Place a chalk line, string, or alignment rod on the ground in line with your target.
- Position your golf ball slightly forward of the center of the line.
- Take your normal stance with the ball, ensuring your clubface is perpendicular to the line.
- Swing the club, focusing on keeping the clubhead moving along the line during the takeaway and follow-through.
- Use this drill to identify and correct issues such as over-the-top or inside-out swings.
Designed to Accomplish:
- It helps develop a neutral swing path, reducing slices and hooks.
- Promotes cleaner, more centred ball strikes.
Scoring and Feedback:
- Record the number of consecutive clean ball strikes that follow the correct path.
- Share videos of your swings with your coach to receive detailed feedback on club path and body alignment.
For a deeper dive into swing mechanics, check out “Chris Ryan’s Swing Path Secrets.”
Drill 3: The Ladder Drill (Distance Control)
Objective: Improve your ability to control distance with wedges and irons for better scoring opportunities.
How to Practice:
- Place targets at incremental distances, such as 20, 40, and 60 yards. Define these targets with markers, cones, or towels.
- Hit three balls to the closest target, focusing on landing the ball as close as possible. Then, move to the next target.
- Adjust the length and speed of your swing to match each distance. Focus on maintaining a consistent tempo.
- Vary the targets in each session to simulate on-course conditions.
Designed to Accomplish:
- It enhances touch and feel for partial shots.
- Builds confidence in dialling in specific yardages.
Scoring and Feedback:
- Award points based on proximity to the target: 3 points for within 5 feet, 2 points for within 10 feet, and 1 point for within 20 feet.
- Share your scores with your coach to identify areas of inconsistency and refine your wedge play.
Discover more about distance control in “The Wedge Game Masterclass by Rick Shiels.”
Drill 4: The Clock Drill (Short Game Precision)
Objective: Improve chipping and pitching precision by practicing from multiple angles and lies.
How to Practice:
- Place balls at equal distances around a hole, simulating the positions of the numbers
- on a clock face. Start with distances of 3 to 5 feet, then extend as you improve.
- Choose a wedge suitable for the shot and chip each ball toward the hole, aiming to leave it within a club’s length.
- Focus on varying your technique based on the lie and the angle of the approach.
Designed to Accomplish:
- Teaches adaptability to different lies and slopes.
- Builds confidence in executing precise short-game shots under pressure.
Scoring and Feedback:
- Record how many chips land within a club’s length of the hole out of 12 attempts.
- Discuss the results with your coach, focusing on areas where you struggled, such as uphill or downhill lies.
For more insight into short game drills, visit “Short Game Mastery by Phil Mickelson.”
Drill 5: The Fairway Finder Drill (Driving Accuracy)
Objective: Develop consistent accuracy off the tee by narrowing your target focus.
How to Practice:
- Start by marking a “fairway” 60 yards wide on the range using existing trees, driving range fence posts, or cones as boundary markers.
- Take your driver and hit ten shots, aiming to land each one within this area.
- Once you consistently land the ball within the 60-yard fairway, move the markers closer together to reduce the width to 40 yards.
- Focus on maintaining a smooth tempo and balanced swing, prioritizing accuracy over maximum distance.
Designed to Accomplish:
- Builds confidence in driving accuracy with a progressively challenging target.
- Encourages a controlled swing and reduces penalties from errant tee shots.
Scoring and Feedback:
- Record how many shots land within the designated area out of 10 attempts
- Share your consistency metrics with your coach to identify areas where mechanics or mental approaches can be improved.
Read “Driving Tips by Rory McIlroy” for additional tips on driving accuracy.
Incorporating Feedback and Progress Tracking
Consistent feedback and tracking are crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of these drills. Here’s how to do it:
- Video Analysis: Record your practice sessions to review your performance
- objectively. Share these videos with your coach for detailed feedback.
- Scorecards: Keep detailed records of your drill scores and progress over time. Look for patterns in performance to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular sessions with your coach to review your results and adjust your practice plan.
Insights from Top Coaches
Adam Young emphasizes the importance of purposeful practice in his article “Transform Your Practice Routine.” He highlights that drills should be tailored to specific goals, such as swing mechanics or mental focus. Similarly, Chris Ryan’s “Top Golf Drills for All Skill Levels” advocates combining technical drills with on course simulations to bridge the gap between practice and play.
Ready to Elevate Your Game?
2025 is your year to shine on the golf course. By incorporating these five drills into your routine and working closely with your coach, you’ll be well-prepared to achieve your best season yet. Start practicing today and track your progress with tools like the Skillest App to connect with Bryn Parry for personalized coaching. For more tips and resources, follow us on social media.
Let’s make 2025 your most successful season yet!