Golf drills: the complete guide to rapid progress

Why golf drills are essential to training

A good drill isn't just about hitting balls; it imposes a constraint, replicates a course situation, and provides immediate feedback on performance. This is precisely what distinguishes a player who is stagnating from one who is progressing.

An effective golf exercise must meet four criteria:

• a measurable objective (number of successes, area of dispersion, precise distance); ;
• a situation close to the actual journey, not an isolated gesture without context; ;
• a clear constraint (target, imposed distance, obligation to succeed before continuing); ;
• a requirement for concentration, to avoid inattentive automatism.

Without these four elements, even an hour of practice will only lead to limited progress. That's why structuring your session around...’golf drills Targeted training radically changes the progression curve, even for a beginner.

Summary table of the best golf drills

For a quick overview before detailing each exercise, here is a summary by playing area and by objective:

Each of these golf drills is detailed below, with the exact method to perform it.

Golf drills for the long game

Practice drill for consistency

Choose a specific target at medium distance. Hit sets of up to 5 balls with the same club, then change targets or clubs. The goal is not the distance achieved, but the dispersion around the target.

Key points to keep in mind during this exercise:

• a complete routine before each ball; ;
• a short pause between each stroke to avoid automatism; ;
• a quick analysis of the series once the 5 balls have been played.

Controlled trajectory exercise

Place two visual markers slightly to the right and left of your primary target. Try intentionally hitting the ball towards each area, alternating between them. This exercise develops clubface control at impact, a key technical point for any player looking to break through a plateau.

It is particularly suited to intermediate players looking to improve their accuracy rather than pure distance. On the 230-meter covered driving range at Golf du Belvédère, this exercise can be practiced comfortably regardless of the weather, a real advantage in Haute-Savoie.

Golf drills for the short game

A large proportion of golf shots are played within 100 meters of the green, yet many players dedicate most of their time to driving. Rebalancing your game towards these golf drills Playing small games is often the quickest way to lower your score.

Roll approach exercise

Place several balls around the green at different distances, between 5 and 10 meters. The goal is to get the ball rolling as early as possible to get it closer to the hole, rather than making it fly unnecessarily.

This exercise is particularly recommended for beginners because it:

• reduces the number of missed shots around the green; ;
• improves slope reading; ;
• builds confidence before tackling more complex situations.

Exercise in lifting approaches

Practice with a wedge, systematically varying the distances and trajectory heights. The goal here isn't the perfect stroke, but rather precision: learning to feel the difference between a shot from 20 meters and a shot from 40 meters with the same club.

To structure this work over time, integrate these golf exercises into a golf training routine consistent rather than practicing them in isolation.

Golf putting drills

Putting accounts for nearly half of the strokes played on a scorecard, making it one of the most profitable areas for improvement.

Short Putts Practice

Place five balls one meter from the hole. The goal is to sink them consecutively: if a ball is missed, the series starts again from the beginning. This "zero miss" constraint develops consistency and pressure management skills similar to those found in real golf course situations.

Long-distance dosing exercise

Place markers at different distances: 5, 10, and 15 meters. The goal isn't to sink the putt at all costs, but to stop within a safe zone of about 50 centimeters around the hole. This golf drill develops ball feel, essential for avoiding three-putts.

Golf exercises to do alone or at home

You don't need access to a practice facility to work on certain fundamentals. Several golf drills can be done at home, without hitting a ball.

Posture exercise without a ball

In front of a mirror, work on your posture, alignment, and balance. Simple in appearance, this exercise is extremely effective for identifying and correcting recurring dexterity flaws, often invisible without visual feedback.

Swing rhythm exercise

Perform slow swings, focusing solely on the fluidity of the movement. Rhythm is a factor in consistency that is too often overlooked, yet it directly influences the quality of ball-club contact.

How to structure a session according to your level

The way you use these golf drills differs depending on your experience:

• Beginner : prioritize 2 to 3 exercises maximum per session (posture, rolling approaches, short putts), with a simple objective and sufficient recovery time between each set.
• Intermediate player : add a constraint of dispersion or consecutive success, and alternate between long game and short game in the same session to get closer to the real requirements of the course.
• Experienced player : reduce the number of balls per exercise, but increase the requirement (narrower target, obligation to succeed before changing exercises).

If you're a complete beginner or would like personalized feedback on your swing, individual coaching remains the fastest way to correct a technical flaw. This is precisely one of the points covered in private lessons with Julien and Adrien at the...’Belvedere Golf School.

The equipment you need to perform your golf exercises correctly

Most of the golf drills described above don't require sophisticated equipment. A few simple accessories are all you need to effectively structure a session, whether at the driving range or at home:

• ground markers (tees, hoops or towels) to delineate a precise landing zone; ;
• alignment sticks, useful for visualizing a trajectory or starting lane of a ball; ;
• a compact putting mat, to reproduce the dosage exercises at home; ;
• a tracking log, to record the success rate of each golf exercise from one session to the next.

If you wish to invest in small training equipment adapted to these golf exercises, you will find a selection at the Proshop of Golf du Belvédère, where Patrice, Alicia and Adrien can advise you according to your level and your objectives.

Common mistakes to avoid with golf drills

Avoiding these four mistakes is often enough to transform a mundane session into a truly productive one.