Miles Bennett
There are many ways to train for golf at home, and it's a great way to stay sharp in the off-season or when you can't get to a course. You can set up a practice area in a basement, garage, spare room, or outdoors in a backyard, patio, or garden. If you have limited space, you can use training tools like Izzo True-Spin Practice Balls to get feedback on your swing without worrying about breaking anything. Practicing your putting inside of 10 feet is important, and you can do this with a simple tool like PuttOut or a mat like Perfect Practice Putting Mat. You can also use a launch monitor, such as SkyTrak or FlightScope Mevo+, to get insights into your shots, or a golf simulator if you have the budget. To improve your chipping, you can use a chipping net to help you hit your landing spot. Additionally, you can work on your body and fitness with exercises designed to improve your golf game, such as speed training.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Equipment | Mat, net, launch monitor, golf simulator, putt cup, putting mat, alignment sticks, practice balls, golf clubs, impact stickers, smartphone apps, video recording devices |
| Drills | Metronome drill, one-handed putting, gate putting, "train tracks" drill, backyard putting green |
| Other | Visualisation, watching professionals, reading/watching instructional content, fitness and speed training |
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Putting practice
Putting is one of the most crucial parts of golf, and it is a skill that separates elite golfers from amateurs. It is also an area where golfers often make mistakes. Here are some ways to improve your putting practice at home:
Equipment
- You can practice putting on a mat, or even on the carpet in your hallway, with a glass cup.
- If you want to give yourself more of a challenge, you could try PuttOut, or a putting mat like the Perfect Practice Putting Mat or the SKLZ accelerator.
- A launch monitor is the best way to practice at home, as it gives you important insights into your shots.
- Impact stickers can be placed on your club to see where the ball is striking the face.
Drills
- Practicing putting inside 10 feet is important, as this is the distance where golfers have a good chance of sinking putts.
- Use tees by placing them outside the heel and toe of your putter head, and try to putt your ball through them. This ensures your putter is moving on a good path.
- Place a coin on the back of the putter head to check if your stroke is too uneven.
- Try putting one-handed with your trail hand to improve your feel of the putterhead release.
- The rubber band drill helps you hit the center of the putter face. Wrap a rubber band around either side of your thumb, which is placed on the sweet spot of the putter, and practice hitting balls without touching the rubber bands.
- The gate putting drill, created by Tiger Woods, involves setting up one gate in front of your ball and another halfway to the hole. You then have to roll the ball through both gates and into the hole, which will improve your putting speed control.
- To improve your distance control, find a hole, place a club or flagstick about two feet behind it, and then back up to 20 feet and hit putts. Your goal is to get the ball into the hole without it touching the club.
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Drills and equipment
If you have the space, a backyard putting green is the best way to practice your putting at home. If that's not an option, you can practice putting on a mat, or even on your carpet. A product called PuttOut is a relatively inexpensive tool that can be used on an existing surface to add an extra challenge to your practice. You can also use a product like the SKLZ accelerator to keep costs down. Practicing putting inside 10 feet is very important, as this is the distance from which golfers have a good chance of making putts.
If you have a spacious backyard, patio, or garden, you can create an outdoor practice area. This will give you the space to practice your swing, although you'll be at the mercy of the weather. If you don't have much space, you can use training tools like Izzo True-Spin Practice Balls, which are foam balls that allow you to take a full swing indoors without worrying about breaking anything. Alignment sticks can also be used as a visual feedback tool to help you see if you're swinging off your intended path.
To practice chipping at home, Master Leadbetter Instructor Robin Symes recommends placing a quarter one fist's length behind a golf ball and taking your swing without hitting the quarter. This will train you to hit down on the ball. Chipping nets are another affordable way to improve your short-game skills.
To improve your swing speed, you can complete a speed training session in just 30 minutes. You can also use a golf simulator or a smartphone app to analyze your swing and provide feedback on your technique.
If you're looking to invest in some equipment, a launch monitor is a great way to practice at home. It will give you insights into exactly how you're hitting the ball. Units in the $2,000 range will offer data such as shot shape, side spin, and club path metrics, as well as access to golf simulation.
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Golf fitness
Golf is a game that can be played throughout one's life, but taking your fitness seriously is crucial if you want to keep improving as you age. Tiger Woods kickstarted the golf fitness trend, and now there are numerous exercises designed to enhance golfers' performance.
If you can't work on your swing, focus on your body. The TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) is a programme tailored to golfers. A TPI-certified expert will assess your swing and body to devise a workout plan to enhance your game. Speed training programmes like SuperSpeed can help you hit the ball farther and reach more par 5s in two.
You can also improve your swing speed at home. A 30-minute speed training session can help refine your technique. Bobby Jones emphasised the mental aspect of golf, played on a "5-inch course—the distance between your ears". Watching professional golfers on TV and observing their conversations with caddies can offer insights into their approach and handling of pressure. Visualising shots before swinging can also enhance your mental game.
Practising your putting is another vital aspect of golf fitness. You can use a simple setup like a glass cup and a carpet or invest in tools like PuttOut or a putting mat. Practising inside 10 feet is crucial, as golfers have a higher chance of making putts within this range.
Additionally, chipping nets are an excellent way to improve your short game skills. They provide a target, helping you become consistent from different yardages. If space is limited, foam practice balls like Izzo True-Spin Practice Balls allow you to swing indoors without causing damage. Alignment sticks, or "train tracks," are another useful tool for visual feedback, helping you instantly adjust your swing path and reinforce muscle memory.
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Launch monitors
There are various launch monitors available on the market, ranging from affordable to high-end options. If you're looking for a budget-friendly launch monitor, the SC4 Pro offers excellent value for money. It has a built-in screen, simulator capabilities, and can be used both indoors and outdoors. It provides data such as side spin and dispersion, making it a versatile option for home use.
For those seeking a more advanced experience, the SkyTrak+ is a popular choice. It provides incredibly detailed data, including ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate, allowing you to deeply analyse your shots. SkyTrak also offers indoor golf simulators that you can set up in your garage, providing a pro-level experience at a reasonable price.
If you're looking for professional-level accuracy without breaking the bank, the Bushnell Launch Pro is a fantastic option. It offers similar performance to high-end models but at a fraction of the cost. The Uneekor is another excellent choice in this category, providing ten metrics and an easy-to-read e-ink screen.
For those on a tighter budget, the Rapsodo MLM is a feature-rich launch monitor available for under $300. It offers impressive capabilities, such as Doppler radar and two cameras, allowing you to track the ball and record your impact at 240fps.
With the advancement of technology, launch monitors have become more accessible and affordable, making them a viable option for golfers looking to improve their game at home.
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Chipping nets
When choosing a chipping net, it's important to consider its strength and durability as it needs to withstand the impact of receiving ball after ball. It should also be easy to assemble, store, and pack away. The size of the net depends on what you want to practice. If you want to work on full swings, you'll need a larger net, but if you just want to focus on chipping, a smaller model will suffice.
The FORB Practice Golf Chipping Net is a great option for those looking to train chip shots and enhance their short game. It's easy to assemble, with four steel pegs and a fibreglass pole providing maximum stability and support. It also comes with a heavy-duty carry bag for protection and portability. This net is versatile and can be used on all playing surfaces, making it a convenient choice for golfers on the move.
Another benefit of using a chipping net at home is that you can track your impact tendencies. By observing how the ball returns off the net, you can get clues about the direction and quality of your hit. For example, if the ball spins left and rolls away from you, it indicates a "draw", while a straight return suggests a straight hit. This feedback can help you adjust your technique and improve your golf shots.
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Frequently asked questions
The most popular way to practice golf at home is with a mat and net. A launch monitor is also a great way to practice at home as it gives you important insights into your shots. Other equipment includes golf simulators, smartphone apps, and video recording devices.
If you have the space, set up a practice area in a basement, garage, or spare room. Alternatively, if you have a spacious backyard, patio, or garden, you can create an outdoor practice area. If you don't have much space, you can use foam practice balls to take your full swing without breaking anything.
Place a quarter one fist's length behind a golf ball and take your swing without hitting the quarter. This will train you to hit down on the ball properly. Chipping nets are also a great way to improve your short-game skills as they provide you with a target.
One drill is to hit putts using only your dominant hand to improve your hand-eye coordination and create a smooth putting stroke. Another drill is to set up "train tracks" with alignment sticks to give you instant feedback on your swing.
You can watch professional golfers on TV and pay attention to how they approach different shots and handle pressure. You can also spend time visualizing your shots and reading golf instructional books or watching videos to gain insights into various aspects of the game.
