Practice drills that work

Putting (the quickest way to cut your score)

• Gate drill: place two tees just wider than your putter head, a short distance in front of the ball. Roll 10 putts through the gate.
• Ladder drill: putt from 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 metres. Miss one and start again.
• Lag drill: from a long putt, try to finish inside a putter length of the hole. Two-putting is the goal.

Chipping and pitching

• Landing spot: pick where you want the ball to land, not where you want it to end. Put a towel there and try to land on it.
• Up-and-down game: drop 9 balls around the green at different spots. Score a point for each time you hole out in two.

On the range

1. Warm up with a wedge, then a mid-iron.
2. Use a target for every shot, never just “hit it”.
3. Follow a routine: pick a target, practice swing, hit.
4. Finish with 5 shots as if you were on the course, with a different club each time.

Know your distances

Hit 10 balls with each club and note the average carry (not the longest). Write them down. Knowing your average distance is worth more than hitting it far once.

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General guidance for casual golfers. For personal coaching, book a lesson with a golf professional at your club or range.