These days,
you don’t have to play 18 holes or head to the range to work on your golf game—you
can practice in the comfort of your own home. There are a whole host of
different training aids out there—one of the most popular of which are mats;
more specifically, practice putting mats.

The benefit of owning one of these is that you can practice at home even when it’s too cold or dark to play, or if your course is shut because of bad weather. Quite simply, if you want your putting stroke to stay finely tuned throughout the whole season, you need one of these.

Many of
the products we’ve featured below don’t just help you to work on your putting stroke,
but they also feature games that add a bit of pressure to your practice.

As well as putting mats, several other mats are available that allow you to work on your full swing. Here’s a selection of the best golf practice mats currently on the market.

The
Perfect Practice Standard Putting Mat is 9ft 6” long and has been designed to
produce genuine 10-14 stimpmeter speeds with no skipping or skidding.

The precise track lines help users to visualise the path of their ball. Should it roll off-course, the feedback allows golfers to adjust their alignment and stroke. The mat, which is trusted by some of the best golfers in the world, also features two hole sizes, which are designed to strengthen precision training.

This putting mat has a lot going on, although it’s not as complicated as it looks. It can be adjusted to run at four different speeds, allowing golfers to practice on greens that represent the closest speed to their home course or wherever they’re about to play. Users can create slopes, too, with a simple adjustment to the mat, and there are plenty of exercises and fun games to play.

Designed with usability in mind, the PuttOUT Medium Putting Mat is easy to assemble and roll up for storage. With its thick rubber backing, it rolls flat straight out of the packaging. It also comes with its own carry bag, so it’s easy to take with you wherever you need to practice. It runs at 10 on the stimpmeter and features alignment lines and a target hole.

For those
unfamiliar with Me and My Game, this is PGA Pro duo Piers Ward and Andy
Proudman. The pair have built a huge following on their social media channels—and
have also created an online shop full of training aids, including this innovative
putting mat.

It comes with three different weight-biased golf balls—slight, medium and heavy braking—allowing you to practice breaking putts at home. If you’re consistently starting the ball on the wrong line, you’re not going to enjoy much joy on the greens—but this mat also features start lines to help your set-up and get you holing out more often. You can choose between 7.5ft (£99.99) and 11ft (RRP £139.99).

Featuring a true-roll surface similar to an actual green and an up-slope to the cup, the Accelerator Pro helps improve every aspect of your putting stroke. It’s a clever piece of kit that features precise alignment guides at 3, 5 and 7 feet that help golfers square the clubface and produce a more consistent stroke. Meanwhile, the ball return allows users to train more efficiently without interruption.

This
hitting mat has been designed to simulate both rough and fairway grass. It’s
perfect for anyone fortunate enough to have an indoor golf studio. For those
golfers who hit a lot of balls into a net in the garden, this mat is also going
to give your grass some relief.

The beauty of the two different types of synthetic grass is that it allows you to work on your strike from various lies. The mat measures 32.5cm wide by 62cm long and comes with three rubber tees (7cm, 5cm and 3cm).

This multi-purpose, portable mat allows you to hit full shots from two different surfaces: clean fairway (0.5” tall) and rough (1.5” tall). It also comes with a 2” tee and a 1” tee, allowing you to hit different shots with different clubs through the bag.

The
CHAMPKEY PRO is available in two sizes: 3ft x 5ft and 4ft x 5ft. It comes with
two alignment sticks—a useful addition that ensures you keep working on your
basics as you hit balls.

What’s more, you receive four rubber golf tees which allow you to work on each club in the bag. The synthetic surface simulates hitting from a real fairway, and whilst there’s no alternative ‘rough’ area to hit from, this is still a very good training aid.

Specialist golf insurance with Golf Care

Practising at home with a new golf practice mat? You may also want to consider golf insurance before heading out on the course for real.

With Golf Care, golf insurance includes Equipment cover up to £7,500, Public Liability up to £10m and much more. It’s also underpinned by the ‘Ripe Guarantee’, meaning you get great cover and service to match at a price you can afford.

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Finding time to make it to the driving range during the week is a challenge for busy professionals and often leads to them neglecting practice.

By adding a golf practice net to your accessories, you afford yourself the chance to practice frequently and improve the weaker areas of your swing.

In this post, I end this travesty and reveal the 8 best golf practice nets to use indoors or outdoors. You’ll notice that most nets on this list are best equipped for long and mid-game practice. However, I took the liberty of adding two picks concerning the short game.

Once you have decided on your preferred golf practice net, learn our 11 fun ways to practice golf in your backyard.

What Are We Looking For In A Good Golf Practice Net?

When searching for the best golf practice nets, I suggest focusing on durability, width, and a target. The durability of the net is vital, as it determines how quickly it can break rapid ball speeds to bring your dimples to a stop.

Next, I suggest a practice net, that is a minimum of 10 feet wide to stop hooks and slices from the average golfer. The added width of the net works hard to halt your golf ball from veering off course and damaging your property.

Finally, it helps when your practice net is fitted with a target, adding purpose to your training. A target to aim at stops you from aimlessly whacking balls without understanding their direction or shape.

The 6 Best Golf Practice Nets

1. Tohifer (10 x 7 ft) – Overall Best Golf Practice Net

Pros

• It includes an artificial turf mat, a rubber tee and golf balls
• The net features an enlarged target to improve your long and mid-game accuracy
• 3 chipping targets help you master your short game
• A durable duffel bag makes it easy to transport
• High strength netting

Cons

• The turf mat is tiny, and some players may wish to purchase one with wider specs
• Players over 6-foot may bump their head on the top of the soft enclosure, when standing upright

The Tohifer 10 x 7-foot practice net is my top golf-hitting net selection for its all-around features. Unlike many products on this list, the Tohifer includes a hitting mat, rubber tee, and targets for long, mid, and short-game training.

More than a net, this Tohifer construction offers an entire enclosure to catch wayward shots and prevent ricochetting golf balls. I also appreciated the inclusion of the artificial turf mat, rubber tee, five golf balls, and a durable duffel bag.

You’ll spot an enlarged target in the center of the net, designed to promote bullseyes with wood, hybrid, and iron shots. In addition, located above the centerpiece are three smaller slots built to catch accurate chips, flops, and pitches.

Furthermore, I noticed that the net held up well against powerful drives, fairway wood, and long iron shots, thanks to the 420D Oxford cloth. Finally, I felt it was a breeze to assemble inside and outdoors.

2. IUZEAI 10 x 10 ft – Best Budget Net For Golf Practice

Pros

• Super affordable
• Easy to setup inside and out
• The wide net catches severely wayward shots
• High strength net
• Use for multiple sports

Cons

• It is not equipped with a frame and stand
• There are no targets to help you improve your accuracy

In these moments of rising inflation, one could also use a bargain. The IUZEAI is the best golf net for players on a budget. It earns my applause for its durability, ease of setup, and width.

You’ll see that IUZEAI presents a wider-than-usual net, which helps catch hooks and slices before the ball causes damage to your property. Plus, the quality woven net contains high-strength nylon fiber to bring flying golf balls to an immediate halt.

The one drawback of this net is that it does not feature a frame, requiring you to fasten it to a solid structure. I find that a tree and cable ties do the trick, but you can also rely on the support of nearby poles.

Lastly, you’ll notice that the versatile design of the IUZEAI 10 x 10-foot net makes it suitable for other sports. For example, you can use it to practice your baseball hitting or pitching or work on your disc golf launch.

3. GoSports 10 x 7 ft – Best Practice Net For Beginners

Pros

• The wider net catches right and left misses
• Operates indoors and outside
• The central netting does well to stop your golf ball in its tracks
• Lightweight and easy to transport
• Simple to setup

Cons

• It does not feature any targets
• Weak around the edges, which can cause it to tear

As a beginner, you are prone to hooking or slicing the odd shot, which can cause damage to your property. That is why a wider net is recommended to catch those wayward strikes before they escape the nylon netting and fly through your lounge window. I found that the GoSports Golf practice net is the superior partner for high handicappers.

You’ll see that this hitting net features an extended 10-foot layout, built to catch right and left misses, habitual for beginners. I thought the lightweight yet sturdy frame was simple to set up and worked indoors and outside.

Moreover, you’ll notice that the center of the hitting net carries tough, reinforced nylon, which holds up against high-speed strikes.

However, as you move towards the outer part, the construction is weaker, and some users find that it eventually tears. I do not see this posing much of an issue with slower swing speeds.

4. Hit Run Steal Heavy Duty – Best Practice Net For Mid Handicappers

Pros

• Wide net
• Heavy-duty knotted netting catches and slows your ball down
• Durable frame
• Simple setup
• Portable

Cons

• There are no targets on the net
• It is expensive for a beginners net, with no targets

Mid-handicappers are not exempt from mishits, hooks, and slices. Just because your handicap is superior doesn’t mean you get it right every time. That is why a spacious, durable net is still recommended. The Hit Run Steal hitting net ticks all the boxes to make it the best option for mid-handicappers.

The net stretches 10 feet wide to provide ample coverage on all shots. I found that the extended width of the net was aptly supported by heavy-duty 7-ply knotted netting, which absorbed the impact comfortably. You’ll notice that it even stops powerful tee shots from high-swing speed golfers in its tracks.

I noticed that this practice net was easy to set up, and the duffel bag was made for superb portability. This makes it easy to take on vacation with you, ensuring you do not neglect your practice when you are away from the links.

Lastly, you’ll see that the Hit Run Steal hitting net sports a durable steel frame with fiberglass poles, which hold well in the wind. In addition, the robust structure enhances the longevity of the net.

5. GaGalileo Golf Cage – Best For Low Handicappers

Pros

• Premium design
• Works indoors and outdoors
• Includes a target
• High-quality, durable net
• Solid, sturdy frame

Cons

• Expensive
• A hitting mat is not included

Low handicappers looking to combine a hitting net with a golf simulator may appreciate the GaGalileo golf cage. The complete enclosure provides optimal protection indoors and outside, and it takes windows, plants, and trees out of play on the left and right.

The GaGalileo golf cage is among the best premium golf practice nets, thanks to its durability, easy setup, and target. You’ll see that the width, depth, and structure height are all 10 feet, giving you optimal room to play with.

The quality and sturdiness of the net impressed me, and it managed to neutralize the speed of my ball on impact, stop it dead, and prevent ricocheting. Besides the toughness of the net, I enjoyed the 5 x 6 ft target, which allowed me to work on my accuracy through the bag.

Lastly, I felt that the high-strength steel pipes and nylon connectors helped keep the enclosure grounded in most conditions. Plus, a 2-year warranty is attached to the frame should it warp for reasons beyond your control.

6. Callaway Golf Chip Shot Net – Best Net For Short Game Practice

Pros

• Specifically designed to improve your chipping
• Easy to setup
• Light and compact to transport
• Contains 3 holes to aim at
• Affordable

Cons

• You cannot use it to practice other parts of your golf game
• It struggles to remain upright in heavy wind

Closing out our review on the best golf practice net is the Callaway Golf Chip Shot net. As you can see, it is specifically designed to help you dial your chipping accuracy, reaching 25” x 25” when it is fully erect.

The net is equipped with 3 square holes that run vertically, giving you some leeway if you under or overcook your shot. Hit shots from different distances and try holding it with one bounce or a slam dunk. You’ll see that the position of the holes helps you train your trajectory and spin for pinpoint accuracy.

The 25” x 25” net is easy to carry, set up, and break down, allowing you to transport it anywhere. You’ll notice that since it takes up minimal space, you can even set it up in your office and get some practice on your lunch break.

Finally, when you decide to relocate the net or pop it into storage, you’ll notice that it collapses to a compact 12-inches.

FAQs

Is a Golf Practice Net Worth It?

Yes, in my experience, a golf practice net is worth it. You’ll notice that it gives you the freedom to practice your game whenever you have the time, which helps you improve your weaknesses and lower your handicap.

Instead of finding time to go to the driving range during the week, you can head straight home and work on your game for half an hour to an hour every day. You’ll notice that your increased training hours will start to pay dividends.

Can You Use Real Golf Balls with a Practice Net?

Yes, you can use real hard golf balls with a practice net, but it does depend on the durability of the nylon or polyester. However, most nets I have tested stand firm against a stand ionomer or urethane golf balls.

How Long Do Nets Typically Last?

I have found that a solid golf practice net can go for two years before the stitching unravels and the net becomes useless. However, a practice nets longevity depends on the strength of the material and the frame.

For example, affordable golf practice nets may carry weaker side barriers. If you consistently catch the edges of the net, then the material will wear and tear faster than usual, requiring you to seek a new structure.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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Have you ever heard of the single plane golf swing? 

Lots of golfers feel that it’s a simpler way to swing the golf club. Our goal with this article is to help you decide if the single plane golf swing will work for you.

The Mechanics of a Single Plane Golf Swing

The single plane golf swing is used by golfers to help them learn the correct golf swing positions by using only one plane for the backswing, downswing, and impact positions. 

Most golf instructors teach the two-plane golf swing because it’s the most commonly used and the most widely studied. However, there are a lot of advocates for the single plane golf swing. Let’s break down the mechanics of the single plane swing.

1. While addressing the golf ball during your setup, try to mimic the impact position. The easiest way to do this is to keep your hands in front of the clubhead. This will automatically line up the club shaft with your lead arm.
2. During the backswing, be sure to keep your lead shoulder and lead arm on the same plane as you work the golf club to the top. You should also have a small amount of hip rotation during the backswing so that you can keep the same spine tilt that you had while addressing the golf ball.
3. During the downswing, make sure to turn your core while swinging the golf club across your body and to the left.
4. When using the single plane swing, the impact position will look almost identical to the conventional two plane swing. However, there’s a lot less that can go wrong with the one-plane swing since it requires less movement.
5. During the release, you want your lead knee to be flexed but not too stiff. The trail foot will remain quiet as the trail arm folds. This keeps the overall swing nice and stable.

Pros and Cons of The Single Plane Golf Swing

We often talk about how there is no perfect approach to building a smooth, effective golf swing. It’s the same case with the single plane swing, as it has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Here are some of the pros and cons of this swing.

Pro #1: The Single Plane Golf Swing is Easier to Repeat

When creating a smooth, effortless, but powerful golf swing, repeatability means more than being mechanically perfect. To play exceptional golf and shoot lower scores, a golfer must learn how to minimize their thoughts during the swing. 

A golf swing that is easy to repeat is a huge advantage because it will eventually feel like second nature to the golfer. This will help the golfer quiet his mind and not overanalyze every aspect of his swing.

Pro #2: Simplicity

Golf is a difficult game to learn and impossible to master. A key to being successful is to simplify the swing as much as possible. 

The one plane swing accomplishes this because it doesn’t have nearly as many moving parts as the traditional two plane swing.

Pro #3: Promotes a Natural Draw

Do you struggle with a slice? The single plane golf swing may be just what you need to remedy that huge banana ball that is plaguing you. 

Golfers that have switched to a single plane swing have noticed that it’s much easier for them to draw the golf ball and hit more fairways.

This is because keeping the arms and shoulders on the same plane results in a flatter swing. This creates a swing path that is more in to out, which promotes a natural draw.

Con #1: The Single Plane Swing Can Limit Power

This point hasn’t been proven but lots of golfers feel like the single plane swing limits their yardage, especially with the larger clubs like the driver and fairway woods. 

Many golf instructors think that this is because the left arm has to stay so close to the body during the one-plane swing.

Other folks argue that their power is not limited by the smaller arc of the single plane swing because they use more rotational force. It remains to be seen which camp is right on this issue.

Con #2: Tough to Hit a High Power Fade

Most golfers who are long off the tee prefer to hit big power fades. Some folks believe that fades are easier to control. 

Since the single plane golf swing promotes a natural in to out swing path, it can be very difficult to hit a fade while using it.

Con 3: Can Lead to Hooks

Though rare, using a single plane golf swing can start to cause hooks. Again, this is due to the in-to-out swing path and the sweeping force that is required to execute the one plane swing properly. 

Golfers who have especially fast hips often aren’t a good fit for the single plane swing for that very reason.

When Golfers Typically Use This Swing

There are lots of reasons why golfers use the single plane swing. Here are some of the most common…

1. Golfers Who Are Just Starting Out

The single plane swing is used by tons of beginner golfers because it is much easier to learn than the two plane swing. Many golfers who are just starting to learn the game will be more comfortable with the single plane swing.

2. Golfers Who Are Lacking Consistency With Their Swing

Though the two-plane swing is more commonly taught, it can be a real beast to figure out for some golfers. 

Lots of folks get fed up with all the moving parts of the two-plane swing so they decide to give the single plane swing a shot. Many golfers love how much their consistency improves when they switch to the single plane swing.

3. Folks Who Want Better Ball Striking

The single plane golf swing makes it much easier to make solid contact. Making better contact usually leads to more distance and more precise accuracy. 

If your ball striking isn’t quite what you think it should be, consider trying the single plane golf swing.

Pro Golfers Who Use This Swing

Though the two-plane swing is the top choice for most PGA Tour pros, several pro golfers use the single plane golf swing. Here is a brief list:

Moe Norman

Norman is known as the father of the single plane golf swing by much of the golf world. Many people consider Norman to be the greatest ball-striker of all time. 

Though the Canadian native only played for a short time on the PGA Tour, he achieved 55 victories on the Canadian Tour.

Ben Hogan

Mr. Hogan experimented quite a bit with his swing but he did utilize a single plane swing during some of his best years on the PGA Tour. Like Norman, Hogan was a master at keeping his address position and impact position on the same plane. 

Hogan went on to win 64 times on the PGA Tour, 9 of which were major championships.

Todd Graves

Graves never made it to the PGA Tour but he did play professionally on the Canadian Tour and the Asian Tour. Graves teaches golfers from all over the world the finer points of the single plane swing. 

Jim Hardy

Hardy played pro golf on both the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour. He is a big proponent of the single plane golf swing and is a world-renowned golf instructor. 

Hardy was inducted into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.

Drills to Help You Nail This Swing

Want to practice the single plane golf swing? There’s a fantastic six-step drill video included at the end of this article to help get you started. Here is a quick breakdown of the important points for each drill in the video.

Drill #1

The main focus of the first drill is to work on turning the legs and hips. You want to make sure that the trailing hip turns in and that the head remains still throughout the process.

Drill #2

The second drill emphasizes the first two-thirds of the backswing. Lots of people would refer to this as the takeaway drill. The goal is to work on the proper wrist hinge and on keeping the left arm close to the body.

Drill #3

This drill focuses on making a full backswing. You want to cock the wrists and let the hands release at impact

Drill #4

This is a good drill to help you get used to the proper impact position. With this drill, simply graze the golf club along the ground until it goes past the lead foot.

Drill #5

The fifth drill makes the golfer work on finishing through impact and turning the clubhead over after making contact with the golf ball. This is also a good opportunity for the golfer to work on keeping the head as still as possible.

Drill #6

The last drill focuses on practicing a complete follow-through after hitting the golf ball. The golfer wants to make a full turn with the chest pointing toward the target while finishing the swing.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Growing up in a rural town gave me the gift of space, which is a paradise for aspiring golfers.

My parents had an acre of property, which allowed me to explore and concoct golf challenges. Using my childhood experience, I have outlined 11 fun ways to practice your golf game in the backyard.

From simple chipping tips to hand-eye coordination and swing mechanics, you can work on every element of your game in backyard golf.

Chipping Net

This is the easiest backyard practice drill to undertake. You do not need loads of space, although it doesn’t harm. Set the net up in a central part of the yard and chip to it from different positions.

Playing from a different spot changes the scenery and the approach to your shot. It may impact the trajectory, alignment, and spin rate required to hole your shot. It also means you create your own 6 or 9 hole par 2 course. See what you card, and challenge yourself to beat the score next time out.

The goal is simple, get the ball into the net. The golf net I used when I was a kid looked like a basketball hoop with an enlarged circumference. It was nothing special but still provided a target to aim at.

Callaway has refined the design of the original to increase the challenge of the net. Their Chip-Shot Golf Chipping Net contains 3 square slots for you to aim at. See how accurate your aim and distance control is, and try to get the ball into the hole on the full.

Alternatively, you can practice your pitch shots and attempt to bounce the ball into the net. Whether you have an acre of space or a few square feet, you can work on these basic chip shots.

Those not gifted with a large backyard should consider foam golf balls. These reduce the risk of window breakages and scuffs on your ball. Should your backyard comprise concrete, you will need a hitting mat.

Floating Green

When the ball went into my pool, it resulted in a 10-minute intermission, as I needed to turn off the filter and backwash the pool to get the ball out of the pipe system. That is why I used it as an obstacle, to hit over or avoid completely.

Fortunately, floating golf balls allow you to bring the pool into play. In 2020, GM Golf built a floating putting green for $167 (see video below). It is an ideal option if your garden space is limited. They made a square frame from PVC pipes and connected them using PVC elbows.

Then, they employed ratchet traps to increase the stability of the pipes for optimal flotation. Next, the team added artificial turf and secured it to the pipes, with ratchet traps. Finally, they cut a hole in the turf to act as the cup, and they were good to go.

This drill boosts your accuracy and distance control. If you leave it short or generate excess power, your ball ends in the drink. In addition, it helps you achieve a consistent rhythm to improve your ball striking, launch angle, and spin.

Flop Shot Practice

Space is needed for this drill to avoid damaging your property or the neighbors, as I did. Since my garden was littered with fruit trees, I employed them as obstacles to practice the flop shot, one of my favorites in my repertoire.

I became fascinated with the shot when I was 4-years old. A family friend who is relatively unpopular on the PGA Tour taught it to me. I watched him send the ball to the heavens with ease and land it a few feet ahead of him.

If I could recommend one player to learn the flop shot from, it is undoubtedly Phil Mickelson. That man is a wizard with the flop.

The aim of the drill was to get the ball into the air rapidly and land it just on the other side of the tree. I also practiced this shot over my pool, pretending that the pin was a few feet from the water and I had no green to work with.

Higher handicappers and average ball-strikers may prefer a foam ball for this exercise because it can lead to wayward results. I broke several windows and roof tiles working on this drill, so approach with caution.

Golf Hitting Net

Owning a golf-hitting net (pays) affords you the chance to work on your long and mid-game from home. Set the practice net up 7 to 8-feet from your intended strike zone. I suggest acquiring a hitting mat to keep the grass intact

In addition, you should leave a foot or 2 of space behind the net to absorb the impact of your strikes. The best golf net for practice is the WhiteFang, which comes with a hitting mat incidentally.

I recommend looking at launch monitors to complete your practice. Otherwise, you hit golf balls aimlessly without knowing your shot shape or carry distance.

This technology offers detailed insight into your game to ensure that you address the issues with your swing. Therefore, you practice with a purpose and don’t just hit golf balls. An accurate launch monitor that doesn’t break the bank is the FlightScope Mevo.

Regularly improving your swing mechanics boosts your muscle memory and increases the consistency of your shots. As a result, you should hit fewer hook and slice shots, enjoying increased accuracy.

Putting Mat

The quickest way to lower your handicap is to master your putting. You don’t need to head to the driving to sharpen your flat stick skills, only a putting mat.

Obviously, it is difficult to replicate the break on an actual green. However, it allows you to work on your distance control and putting-stroke path.

Furthermore, a putting mat allows you to practice both outside and inside, in case it ever starts raining and you want to practice inside. The PUTT-A-BOUT Par Three Golf Putting Green

is easy to set up, and built in sand trap cutouts catches any missed shots.

Bunker Practice

If your kid has a sandpit, it’s time for the little one to move out. Turn it into a bunker. The house I grew up in had 3 sand pits in different corners of the property, which meant I had multiple bunkers to practice from.

You don’t need a massive construction. A few feet all around is sufficient. Position your chipping net and try to get the ball into the hole.

Having a sand trap in the backyard helps you hone your bunker play to boost your up and downs and save multiple shots. I spent hours every week hitting balls out of my self-constructed bunkers.

Those who have the gift of a beach nearby can have endless fun with bunker shots. Here is an example of a casual me practicing fried egg lies with the Atlantic Ocean at my back.

Golf Swing Tempo

You don’t need a ball or acres of space for this drill. Pull out your Orange Whip swing training aid, take it back, and swing through. Do 10-repetitions of this, then take a 30 to 45-second break and repeat the process.

This drill improves your tempo, swing plane, path, and weight transition. Plus, the added mass in the swing stick requires you to activate all the muscles in your body to maximize your power on the downswing.

Therefore, using the stick enhances every aspect of your mechanics to encourage a square clubface at impact for maximum distance and accuracy.

Golf Simulator

Nothing stops you from using your golf hitting net set up to craft a simulator. However, I suggest doing so inside, given the electronic components required to run the system.

A golf simulator allows you to play virtual rounds of golf against your buddies and other users worldwide. It also allows you to work on most aspects of your game besides putting, and provides detailed insight into your shots.

Swing speed, spin rate, club face angle, ball speed, apex, and distance are typically measured by the launch monitor in a golf simulator.

These products are not the cheapest golf equipment, but their prices have been reduced. For example, you can pick up an OptiShot 2 Golf In A Box simulator for $850. It includes everything you need, except a laptop and projector.

In essence, simulators provide a platform to practice, play virtually and entertain your friends and family.

Golfers on a budget may find my review on the 10 best golf simulators under $1000 helpful. These options enhance your home practice experience without burning a hole in your pocket.

Bouncing The Golf Ball

You may look at this as a mundane drill that achieves nothing other than breaking a personal record. However, bouncing a golf ball on the club works wonders for your hand-eye coordination and ball striking.

Whenever I was bored as a kid, the simplest activity was to see how many times I could bounce the golf ball off the club’s face without it dropping on the ground. This worked wonders for me before a round, as I would use it to warm up and get my eye in before venturing to the 1st tee.

If there was nobody else in harm’s way, I would attempt to pull off the Tiger shot, where he hits the ball into the air and takes a backswing. Like a soccer player catching the ball on the volley, the Big Cat catches the ball cleanly on the descent and sends it flying.

I found the Nike Commercial, which is of poor quality given its age. But, it is well worth seeing the talent and skill of Eldrick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oTMosZ76b8

I do not suggest completing the Woods follow-through for this trick. That is asking for trouble. You could hook, slice, or catch the ball thin, sending it uncontrollably towards a fragile object.

The Lefty

Now that I live in an apartment in the bustling city of Buenos Aires, I don’t have the luxury of backyard golf training facilities. I miss training in private and having the freedom to work on your game.

One area I went crazy with in my backyard was recovery shots. If I practiced them at the range, I would look outrageous. One shot I worked on was what I term the Lefty, since I am right-handed. Left-handed golfers would call this the Righty.

You set up for a left-handed shot. In other words, your right foot is now your lead. Take the clubface and turn it so that the toe points directly at the ground. Then take a quarter swing and try to connect the ball. Naturally, you will experience numerous freshies. However, the more you practice, the easier it becomes to strike the ball cleanly.

I practice this shot to help me escape scenarios where my ball is up against a tree, wall, or fence, and I cannot execute my standard swing. If you can pull off this shot, it will get you back into play, especially if your long game is erratic like mine.

Clean Strike (chip ball off the gravel)

I have Tiger Woods to thank for this as well. In the 2003 President’s Cup at Fancourt, he played an approach shot off the cart path, and struck so cleanly to give himself a chance to get up and down for the par.

Seeing how pure he struck the ball inspired me to hone my skills. So, I purposefully began chipping off the concrete at home. I am sure my coaches and other golf pundits would be mortified, but there was a method to my madness.

I never swung full and hard. I took an easy wind up and focused on catching the ball without touching the concrete. Obviously, I miscalculated a few times. However, I became solid at catching the ball cleanly, which improved my general iron play.

I do not recommend attempting this if your ball striking abilities are lackluster because you will damage your golf clubs. But, I feel it can boost the ball striking capabilities of mid handicappers.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.

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Not all golfers like to practice; in fact, some will dread it.

However, as a young player and even still today, I loved spending time on the range.

Practicing golf on the driving range and chipping green made me feel more prepared for the golf course. When I played my next round, I always felt more confident after a good practice session.

However, there is an art to balancing practice and play that all amateur players should better understand.

How Often Should You Practice Golf?

Golfers should be practicing and hitting balls at least three times per week if they are serious about improving their game. For those that simply want to maintain their current level, once or twice a week could be enough for that.

When deciding how often you should practice golf, you must consider the number of practice sessions, the duration, and the type.

Days Per Week

Three practice sessions per week are ideal.

This goes beyond just hitting golf balls at the range and should include putting green and chipping green. If you are looking for real improvement in your game, ensure that you incorporate drills that help with ball flight, distance, control, and more.

I always liked to try and get some video of my swing technique or even use a launch monitor to measure swing speed and other data parameters. Doing this allowed for a more effective practice session.

Hours Per Practice Session

Now that we have practice frequency determined, it’s important to also consider practice duration.

The great thing about golf practice is that you don’t have to be out on the range for hours to develop muscle memory and make real changes in your golf game. In fact, some players have their best practice sessions when they keep it short.

Warm up for a few minutes and do some stretches, then hit five or ten golf balls and determine what you will work on. If your golf game has been good lately, simply focus on tempo and balance in your swing.

You may hit a bucket of balls and feel like that was all you needed, but other golfers will practice for hours without feeling like they accomplished what they needed. Most practice sessions only need to be about 30 to 45 minutes.

In this time frame, you can include both full swing practice and short game practice.

Type of Practice Session

Sometimes golf practice includes standing on the driving range and hitting one shot after another, but sometimes playing on the golf course can also count as practice.

If you are not playing a tournament round and instead going out on the golf course to practice different holes, it can lead to faster improvement.

Try to mix up the types of practice that you do. Sometimes you may want to just bring your 7 iron to the range and work on hitting it higher, lower, left, and right. Other times it may make sense to work on your long game or to head to the course and practice from 100 yards and in on the course.

To make the most significant changes on the golf course, you must be thinking about transferring your practice to your game. It’s not realistic to hit 15 drivers in a row; this will never happen to you on the golf course.

Instead, vary the shots you are hitting, work on different areas of your golf swing, and be smarter about the practice sessions you have.

How Often Should You Be Playing a Round of Golf?

Many golfers wish that they could play golf every day of the week.

Although this concept may sound great, I can tell you that it is a bit exhausting. Golfers should remember that rest time is essential; any great instructor will be able to tell you that sometimes a break is necessary. Ideally, playing golf 2 to 3 times per week is the sweet spot for most people.

This certainly depends on your skill level as well as your free time.

18 Holes

Try to play 18 holes of golf at least once or twice weekly. If you are not playing this many times at a minimum, it becomes difficult to get anything good going as far as progress in your game.

Progress comes from consistency and dedication, and when you play golf twice per month, with not much practice mixed in, you won’t see that consistency.

9 Holes

9 hole rounds are a great option to add in when you are short on time. Many golf courses even offer a twilight rate on 9 holes. If you thought your days to play golf were just Saturday and Sunday, maybe you can fit in a 9 hole round on a Wednesday afternoon.

It can be hard to get friends and playing partners organized for a midweek 9 hole round. Therefore this is the perfect situation to use for a practice session. Play two golf balls if you are out there by yourself. Try to keep score on both golf balls to see how you do.

While you are out there, focus on the areas of the course that give you trouble and start paying attention to your course management and the golf swing flaws that you may have.

Practice Round

It can be hard to find a place to get a practice round of golf in. Many golf courses are booked with tee times from the start of the day to the end of the night. However, if you can potentially get out as a single to work on your game, it will really pay off.

The best tips I can give you for this practice round are to look for the first or last tee times of the day. Sometimes if you go out really early, there will be no other golfers ready to play and you can head out there and really work on your game.

The last tee time of the day means the golf course will be emptying out, and you may also get a quick practice round in. I know how hard this can be to find an opportunity. I have been known to head out on the golf course in a bit of rain to get this done; most golfers leave but if you have the right gear, playing in the rain is not all that bad.

Should You Focus More on Practice or Playing to Improve Your Game?

When people try to lose weight, they have to find the perfect balance between diet and exercise. Without this proper combination, they may have no success and feel as though the diet is failing them. Golf practice and improvement are exactly the same.

If you want to improve your golf game, you must find the perfect balance of practice and play. For me, this is two rounds of golf per week that are competitive (even if just against friends), one round of golf that is a practice type round where I think more, and then two to three good practice sessions.

Sometimes those practice sessions are before or after a round; other times, they are going to be on my off days. There is certainly no perfect amount of time to spend on the range or the course. Some golfers that have injuries or issues with their back can only practice once per week.

The bottom line is to see what your body can handle and see how your golf game is progressing. Pay close attention to your scores and the way that your practice and playing schedule is impacting your scores.

If you are playing golf four days a week, but your handicap is going up, it may be time to back it down a little, and turn one of those rounds into a practice session.

Can You Practice Golf Too Much?

Golf can be practiced too much. Professional golfers work on their game day in and day out, but they didn’t start this process overnight.

They know what they need to do to get to the level they are expected to play in an event, and this requires time with instructors, feedback sessions on the range, tons of time on putting green, and more.

However, your full-time job is likely not golf, and therefore you can practice to the point that you tire yourself out and even start creating bad habits. Practicing golf too much can lead to an injury and cause problems for players that don’t know how to practice properly.

If you are new to the game, take things slow. Work on practicing at least once or twice per week and then start to increase from there. Remember that practice sessions do not need to be an hour long; they can be 30 minutes but still be extremely effective.

The key is to find a sweet spot that works for your brain and your body. This is where you will see the most effective practice and the results that transfer to the golf course.

Brittany Olizarowicz

Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children.

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