Jackson Reid
Whether it's due to bad weather or just wanting to practice at home, there are many ways to practice golf indoors. You can practice your swing in front of a mirror, using a basketball or golf club, or use a launch monitor to get ball flight data. You can also set up a golf simulator, which can be expensive, or simply use a putting mat and a few balls. There are many drills you can do at home, such as putting a coin on your putter and creating a gate with Lego blocks to get instant feedback on your swing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drills | Check your swing in a mirror or on video, use a basketball to practice your takeaway, use two books to practice your putting stroke, practice your swing without touching a wall, use a coin taped to your putter to get instant feedback |
| Equipment | Putting mat, golf balls, golf simulator, launch monitor, golf net, rubber golf balls, target board, bucket, golf club |
| Planning | Set goals, be realistic about what is available to you, consider the timeline for your off-season |
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What You'll Learn
Practising your putting stroke
The Putting Gate Drill
This drill will help you "square the face" to the target line. Place two golf tees side-by-side, four inches apart, and perpendicular to your target. Place a golf ball between the tees and put your putter behind the ball, leaving half an inch between the toe and heel of your putter and the tees. Practice putting straight putts from four feet away on a level lie, making short strokes between the tees. With a short stroke and a square putter face, very little can go wrong, especially on short putts.
The Alignment Drill
This drill will help you work on your aim, which is something that every golfer struggles with. Use some alignment sticks, a ruler, and a coin to practice. Make some dots on the ruler at equal distances from the centre and at the same length intervals. Then, set a coin in the pocket behind the face of your putter. Make your stroke, keeping the coin from falling out of the pocket, so that your backswing and forward swing are of equal lengths.
The 25-Foot Lag Putt Drill
Place 12 golf balls 25 feet from the cup and go through your pre-shot putting routine for each shot, rolling all 12 putts to the cup. After the first round, evaluate whether you hit the majority too long, too short, or off-line. Repeat the process, aiming towards the same hole, and evaluate again after 24 putts. This drill will help you stay focused on your pre-shot routine, build confidence, and limit strokes on the green.
The Four-Foot Putt Drill
Place your ball four feet away from a golf hole on level ground. Repeat the drill above and see improvements in your four-foot putts. Place one golf ball in four different locations, surrounding the hole from four feet away. Move around the hole in a circle, hitting each ball. If you sink the putt, leave it in the hole. If you miss, replace the ball and move on to the next putt. Do this drill every day to gain a sense of how to confidently judge short, breaking putts.
The Book Drill
This simple DIY drill will help you practice the back-and-forth pendulum motion of putting. Place your putter head in the smallest possible gap between two big books and practice your stroke. Once you've practised enough, place a golf ball in the gap as well and putt. Add another level to this drill by placing a glass cup at different distances away, simulating putting on the green.
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Using a basketball to perfect your takeaway
If you're looking to improve your golf game indoors, a basketball can be a useful tool for perfecting your takeaway. Here's how:
First, grab a basketball and position yourself in your normal golfing posture. This means your left shoulder should be slightly higher than your right, and your right elbow should be slightly bent. Hold the basketball so that you are looking straight down at the lines on the ball, ensuring they are straight out in front of you.
Now, practice your takeaway. A good takeaway is crucial to setting up a successful golf swing. It's important to keep your forearms still during this movement. As you finish the takeaway, the lines on the basketball should still be pointing towards you. This indicates that you are maintaining the correct path for the club.
Another drill to try with the basketball involves focusing on your release. In this case, as you practice the takeaway, release the basketball as you would release the angles in your wrists during a regular swing. The ball should go straight towards your target. If it veers off to the right, it suggests that you are 'casting', or releasing the angle too soon.
Using a basketball is a great way to visualise and practice the ideal takeaway movement. It helps you focus on keeping your arms in the proper positions and maintaining a consistent swing plane.
In addition to the basketball drill, there are other ways to practice your golf swing indoors. You can try simple drills such as standing with your back to a wall and taking a practice swing, ensuring the club doesn't touch the wall. You can also look into indoor golf training aids like the Rukket Pathfinder Impact Mat, which helps with swing plane alignment and correcting common issues like hooks and slices.
By utilising these indoor practice methods, you can improve your takeaway and get ready to hit the course with a stronger golf game.
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Using a mirror to check your posture
Good posture is essential for a great golf swing. If you have good posture when you swing the club, the clubface hits the ball, and the ball travels based on the force and angle of impact. Correct posture in golf is the foundation for your swing, whether you're on the tee, in the rough, or on the green.
Using a mirror is a great way to check your posture. Teaching pro Cathy Kim suggests practising in front of a mirror to get the look and feel of things. She says:
> Do this in front of a mirror. Practice it. You're really going to have to engage your core there. The ultimate goal is to make sure it stays flat when you swing the club."
Kim also suggests taking a golf club and running it parallel to your back. She explains:
> Take your golf club and stick it on your back with the grip touching the tailbone. You're going to work on closing up the gap between the lower back and the golf club itself."
Another drill to check your posture is to stand up straight and let your arms hang down naturally by your sides. Clap your hands together and grip the club where your hands meet. This ensures your club position is aligned with your body, so that when you hinge at the hip, your angles are correct.
You can also use a mirror to check your weight distribution. If your weight is favouring one side, get out a mirror and check your knee bend, hip bend, and spine orientation. When you are bending correctly, and your weight is evenly distributed, the golf club should sit flush with the ground.
You can also use a mirror to copy the posture of a PGA Tour pro. Look at a picture of their posture from a down-the-line and face-on view, and then stand in front of a mirror and practice.
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Setting up a golf simulator
Choose the Right Space
First, select a room in your home that is large enough to accommodate all the equipment and allow for a full golf swing. The room width should be at least 12 feet to accommodate the screen, net, and player movement, especially if there will be both right- and left-handed golfers. The room depth is also important, with a minimum recommended depth of 12 feet to ensure enough space between you and the impact screen, as well as comfortable space behind you. If you have a smaller space, consider a portable setup or retractable screens. Ensure the space is well-lit but adjustable to avoid glare, and don't forget to consider ventilation if setting up in an enclosed area.
Select the Right Equipment
Look for software that offers a variety of golf courses, including popular professional courses and customisable options. High-end simulators may also feature swing analysis, shot tracking, and ball data analysis tools. Some software offers multiplayer functionality. Depending on the software, you may need a dedicated gaming PC or laptop to run it. Choose a projector that suits your needs and budget, considering factors such as resolution and compatibility with your chosen software.
Install the Components
Prepare the space by clearing any obstructions and making necessary modifications, such as installing a ceiling mount for the projector or securing the impact screen. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to set up each component, starting with the hitting mat and sensors, ensuring proper alignment and calibration. Install the impact screen and projector, achieving a smooth, wrinkle-free surface and a clear, focused image. Set up your software and connect all components according to the guidelines.
Calibration and Maintenance
After setup, calibrate the system by adjusting the launch monitor, ensuring the impact screen is properly tensioned, and checking the projector's focus and alignment. Conduct regular maintenance to keep your simulator in top condition. Check components for wear and tear, and replace any damaged parts as needed. Keep your hitting mat clean and free from debris, and regularly clean your impact screen to maintain image clarity and prevent dust buildup. Update your software as new versions become available to enhance your experience and fix any bugs.
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Practising your chipping flow
Setting Up Your Practice Area
First, you'll need to create a practice area. If you have access to an indoor golf driving range or a local golf team's practice facilities, that's a great option. Otherwise, you can set up a mini practice area at home. Invest in a chipping net and a putting mat, and place them in a small room or basement, ensuring you have enough space for your backswing. Use lightweight practice balls, such as foam balls or plastic balls, to minimise the risk of damage. You can also use a yoga mat on a flat surface to simulate a chip shot off a tight lie.
Choosing Your Targets
To add structure to your practice, set up specific targets at varying distances. You can use household items such as towels, trays, or bowls, or aim for trees, benches, or markers if you're practising outdoors in a local park. Remember to maintain proper technique and alignment, even when using lighter-weight balls. Chipping into a couch or a soft, cushioned surface can help you develop feel and control with real golf balls in a safe environment.
Perfecting Your Technique
Start with a narrow stance, weight slightly forward, and practice making clean, shallow contact with the golf ball. Focus on maintaining consistent contact and controlling the trajectory and spin of your shots. You can experiment with different stances and club selections as you gain confidence. When swinging, let your knees bend naturally as you rotate your upper body. Accelerate through the ball, and adjust the distance by changing how far back you bring the club.
Drills for Improvement
- Use an alignment stick or an extra wedge to prevent flicking your wrists when chipping. Grip it like an extension of your club, with your hands slightly in front of the ball, touching your left rib cage. Hit chips with your left arm creating a "y" shape in your backswing.
- Open up your front foot slightly to aid hip rotation and open the club face to engage the bounce. Put most of your weight (70-80%) towards your target.
- Start with hip-height swings and gradually increase the height as you improve.
- Practice with different types of balls, such as ping pong balls, to understand how your stance and swing affect ball flight.
- Stand facing an open wall, holding an imaginary golf club. Take a small backswing and check that your forehead remains steady without jerking away from the wall.
Remember to set goals and focus on what is realistic for your practice sessions. With dedication and creativity, you can improve your chipping flow and take your golf game to the next level, even when practising indoors.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some simple drills you can do at home to practice golf:
- Use a basketball to practice your takeaway in the golf swing.
- Stand facing an open wall with your forehead lightly touching it. Take a small backswing and check if your forehead stays steady.
- Tape a coin to the centre of your putter and create a gate with two tee pegs or Lego blocks. If you don't hit the ball at the centre, the coin will cause the ball to shoot offline.
- Get a putting mat and line up six balls roughly a foot apart. If you make the first putt, move on to the next one. Each time you miss, start all over again.
You can practice your putting stroke with just a putter and some books. To practice chipping and putting, you will need a mat, rubber golf balls, a target board or bucket. If you have more space, you can set up a golf net and use foam or whiffle balls. Launch monitors and golf simulators are also options, but they can be expensive.
Focus on what is realistic and available to you. Set goals and work towards measurable results. Practice your swing in front of a mirror or record yourself to check your posture and swing control.
