9 Pro Golf Practice Drills to Lower Scores

Want to slash your golf scores? Forget mindless range sessions. Here are 9 pro-level drills to sharpen your game:

1. Putting Accuracy: Gate Drill
2. Short Game Skills: Landing Spot Drill
3. Bunker Shot Practice: Line Drill
4. Iron Shot Accuracy: Impact and Turn Drill
5. Driver Distance and Aim: 3 Fives Drill
6. High-Pressure Putting: Build-a-Streak Challenge
7. Chip Shot Height Control: One Club, Three Heights
8. Fairway Wood Accuracy: Fairway Gate Drill
9. Mental Game Practice: Pre-shot Routine and Visualization

Key takeaways:

• Focus 50% of practice time on putting and short game
• Use drills that mirror real course challenges
• Add pressure to practice with competition and goals
• Track progress in a golf journal

Remember: Perfect practice makes perfect. Use these drills to target weak spots and watch your scores drop.

Practice Area	Time Allocation
Putting/Short Game	50%
Full Swings	30%
Mental Game	20%

Start with 1-2 drills per session, using 25 balls max for each. Mix it up and stay focused on clear goals. Your golf game will thank you.

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Why Pro-Level Practice Drills Work

Pro-level practice drills are game-changers. Here’s why they’re so effective:

1. They target weak spots

Pro drills zero in on amateur struggle areas. Take putting. PGA Tour players sink nearly 97% of putts within 5 feet. That’s no accident – it’s focused practice.

Try this: Set up the "round the world" drill. Place 4 tees around a hole and sink as many consecutive putts as possible. This builds pressure and improves your short-range putting from different angles.

2. They mirror real course challenges

Effective practice feels like you’re on the course. Mix it up:

• Change targets frequently
• Switch clubs often
• Practice from various lies

This prepares you for golf’s unpredictable nature.

3. They build muscle memory

Golf coach Lawrie Montague says:

"The key is to reduce complexity, increase competency which ultimately leads to increased golf confidence on the golf course."

Aim for at least 1,500 repetitions of a chosen drill. This helps you perform without overthinking.

4. They create pressure

Pro drills often include competition. This simulates real play stress and helps manage performance anxiety.

Try this: Narrow your target area progressively during driving practice. The actual fairway will feel wider on the course.

5. They focus on the short game

Most amateurs need work around the greens. Pro drills emphasize:

• Putting from various distances
• Chipping with different clubs
• Bunker play

A solid short game takes pressure off your other skills.

Putting Accuracy Drill

Want to sink more putts? Try the Gate Drill. Here’s how:

1. Set up two tees slightly wider than your putter head
2. Place them 4 feet from the hole on your line
3. Putt through the "gate" without hitting the tees

This drill helps you keep your putter on path, start the ball on line, and build confidence.

"The gate drill is my go-to for maintaining a square putter face through impact." – PGA Tour player

Pro tip: Start wide, then narrow the gate as you improve.

For an extra challenge, try the Coin Drill:

• Place a coin on the green at different distances
• Try to roll your ball over it consistently

Remember, good putting comes down to:

1. Picking the right line
2. Starting the ball on that line
3. Getting the speed right

Practice these drills, and watch your putting improve on the course.

2. Short Game Skills Drill

Want to slash your scores? Focus on your short game. Here’s a drill to boost your chipping and pitching:

Landing Spot Drill

1. Put a small towel on the green
2. Chip to land on the towel
3. Start close, move back gradually

One-Handed Chipping

• Chip with just your lead hand
• Improves clubhead control and feel

Soft Hands Technique

• Place a tee next to your ball
• Chip without knocking over the tee
• Promotes a smooth, controlled swing

Keep your grip light (4-5 out of 10) for better touch and clubface control.

"To improve your short game, you have to practice with a purpose." – James Sieckmann, Titleist Staff Member

Par 18 Challenge

• Set up 9 different short game shots
• Try to hole out in two shots each
• Aim for par (18) or better

This drill mimics on-course pressure while working on various short game shots.

3. Bunker Shot Practice

Bunker shots can make or break your round. Here’s how to boost your sand game:

The Line Drill

1. Draw a line in the sand 2 inches behind the ball
2. Hit the sand at the line, not the ball
3. Use a smooth, accelerating swing

This drill teaches you to hit the sand first – the key to good bunker play.

Setup:

• Open stance and clubface
• Ball forward in stance
• Feet dug into sand for stability

Keep your lower body quiet during the swing for a consistent strike.

Joe Plecker, Director of Instruction at Landings Club, says:

"Make those early adjustments, and everything else starts falling into place."

Practice Routine:

Shots	Focus	Goal
10	Hit line consistently	7/10 success
10	Vary distance to hole	Land within 6 feet
5	High shots over obstacle	Clear and stop quickly

Practice bunker shots weekly. Soon, you’ll turn this tricky shot into a strength.

4. Iron Shot Accuracy Drill

Want to nail those iron shots? This drill’s got you covered. It’s all about nailing the impact and getting your whole body into the swing.

Here’s the two-part breakdown:

1. Nail Your Impact

Set up your 7-iron. Picture a line from your club’s bottom edge, through your belly button, up to your chest. That’s your impact sweet spot. Start with your back foot way behind, then inch it forward.

2. Turn, Baby, Turn

Rotate those shoulders fully on your backswing. Keep your lower half steady while your upper body does the twist.

Practice Plan:

Shots	Focus	Target
10	Impact	7 clean hits
10	Full turn	8 good rotations
5	Both	Hit different distances

Remember:

• Hit down to make the ball go up
• Hands lead the clubhead
• Use those legs for stability

Butch Harmon, golf guru, puts it simply:

"Hit down so that the ball goes up."

Now get out there and start striping those irons!

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5. Driver Distance and Aim Drill

Want to crush it off the tee? Here’s how to boost your driving game:

The 3 Fives Drill

This drill sets you up for powerful, accurate drives:

1. Get behind the ball
2. Shallow your swing
3. Keep your right forearm under the left

Spend 30-60 minutes each week grooving this setup.

20 Ball Driving Challenge

Take it to the range:

Shots	Target	Points
20	Fairway	+1 per hit
20	Off-target	-1 per miss

Aim for a positive score. As you improve, narrow your target.

Keys to Success:

• Match your iron shot tempo
• Attack from a shallow angle
• Tweak tee height and ball position

Mike Bender, GOLF Top 100 Teacher, puts it simply:

"Driving accuracy comes with practice and patience."

6. High-Pressure Putting Drill

Want to sink putts when it matters most? This drill’s for you.

Build-a-Streak Challenge

Here’s the deal:

1. Put 5 balls 3 feet from the hole
2. Set a target (start with 25 consecutive putts)
3. Putt until you miss or hit your goal

As you get better, bump up that target. The real sweat starts as you get close to your goal – just like in a tournament.

Friendly Face-Off

Spice it up:

1. Grab a practice buddy
2. Take turns picking holes
3. Keep score, set stakes (loser buys lunch?)

It’s fun, and it adds that competitive edge.

Four-Count Routine

Try this pre-putt ritual:

1. Practice stroke, read green
2. See the ball going in
3. Look at the ball
4. Stroke it – no delay

"Your routine is your secret weapon under pressure." – David Milne, PGA Golf Instructor

Pro Tip: On the course, every putt’s the same. 3 feet or 40 feet, use your routine. It builds confidence when you need it.

Here’s a reality check: PGA pros miss 1 in 5 from 5 feet. Don’t sweat it. Focus on a smooth stroke, not just sinking it.

7. Chip Shot Height Control

Want to improve your short game? Master chip shot height control. This drill helps you hit low, medium, and high chips with one club.

Here’s how:

1. Set three targets at different distances
2. Use one wedge for all shots
3. Adjust your setup to change shot height

• Low chip: Ball back, hands forward, 60-70% weight on lead leg
• Medium chip: Ball center, neutral hands
• High chip: Ball forward, open clubface

Practice each shot 10 times. Focus on clean contact and landing on target.

Pro Tip: Use an alignment stick along your chest to keep arms and club linked. This stops wrist flipping – a common amateur mistake.

Jon Hearn, Justin Rose’s short game coach, says:

"It’s going to be a fun journey. You’ll hit shots you wouldn’t believe. This is how amateurs can shoot 77 instead of 85 quickly."

Remember: Chip height affects roll. Low chips run more, high chips stop faster. Match your shot to the situation.

Practice this drill for 20-30 minutes daily. In a few weeks, you’ll see big improvements around the green.

8. Fairway Wood Accuracy Drill

Want to nail your fairway wood shots? Try the "Fairway Gate" drill. Here’s how:

1. Pick a fairway on the range
2. Set up two markers as a "gate" matching the fairway width
3. Hit shots through the gate

Start wide, then narrow the gate as you improve. Use it to warm up before rounds.

This drill sharpens your eye, improves alignment, and boosts confidence with fairway woods.

To level up:

• Switch clubs for different scenarios
• Check your setup and ball position
• Focus on a smooth, sweeping motion

Fairway woods are different from irons. Put the ball forward in your stance, just inside your front heel. This helps you make clean contact and avoid topping it.

"If your practice swing does not hit the ground, you are practicing topping it!" – Kellie Stenzel, GOLF Top 100 Teacher

Take practice swings that brush the ground. It’ll help you hit it clean every time.

9. Mental Game Practice

Golf’s often called a mental game. Many pros say it’s 90% mental, 10% physical. Here’s how to boost your mental game:

1. Pre-shot routine: Create a consistent routine before each shot. It helps you focus and stay calm.
2. Visualization: Picture your perfect shot before you take it. See the ball’s path and landing spot.
3. Positive self-talk: Swap negative thoughts for positive ones. Think "I’ll land this on the green" instead of "Don’t hit it in the water."
4. Breathing: Take deep breaths to calm your nerves and clear your mind.
5. Stay present: Focus on the current shot, not past mistakes or future holes.
6. Pressure practice: Set up challenges during practice to mimic tournament conditions.

To level up your mental practice:

• Start with 5 minutes of mindfulness or meditation
• Keep a golf journal to track thoughts and emotions during rounds
• Work with a sports psychologist for personalized strategies

"The faster you forget about a terrible result, the quicker you can reset and focus on striking your next one better."

How to Use These Drills in Your Practice

Want to make the most of these pro golf drills? Here’s how to add them to your routine:

1. Set a schedule

Aim for 3 practice sessions a week, each about 45-60 minutes. This keeps you sharp without burning out. For example:

• Monday: Hit the range
• Wednesday: Short game work
• Friday: 9-hole practice round

2. Balance your practice

Split your time like this:

Practice Area	Time Allocation
Putting and short game	50%
Full swings	30%
Mental game	20%

3. Use the 20/20/20 system

For a one-hour session:

• 20 minutes: Chipping and putting
• 20 minutes: Wedge play
• 20 minutes: Full swings

4. Track your progress

Keep a golf journal. Note your drills, scores, and areas to improve.

5. Mix it up

Don’t just stick to the range. Get on the course and focus on your trouble spots.

6. Get feedback

Video your swing or use a launch monitor when you can. It gives you real data to work with.

7. Stay focused

Set clear goals for each session. Like: "Today I’ll nail my 6-foot putts."

8. Warm up right

Start with small pitch swings before full shots. It prevents injury and ups your game.

Remember: Practice doesn’t make perfect. PERFECT practice makes perfect. So use these tips to make every session count!

Wrap-Up

You’ve got 9 top-notch golf drills to slash your scores. They cover everything from putting to mental game. Add them to your practice, and you’ll see results on the course.

Here’s the deal:

• Pick 1-2 drills per session
• Use 25 balls max for each
• Keep a golf journal to track progress

"I set up 6 balls from 10 to 60 feet from the hole. My goal? Sink all 6 in a row. It boosted my distance control and confidence on the greens." – Rachel, National Golf Club of Louisiana

To squeeze the most out of these drills:

1. Set clear session goals

2. Mix up your routine

3. Test skills under pressure