Have you ever had someone tell you that your golf swing was too long? Chances are they were right!

So many amateur golfers take the club back much further than needed. This ends up causing issues with accuracy and balance that doesn’t need to be a problem.

Since taking the golf club back this far is not necessary, here are some tips to help shorten your swing and get everything under control.

Who Should Shorten Their Golf Swing?

Golfers should shorter their golf swing if they are swinging past parallel, losing accuracy, or feeling like they are unable to be consistent in their golf shots. Taking the club back too far does not help you play better.

In fact, if you want to increase swing speed and hit more consistent golf shots, a shorter swing is typically the better choice.

It does not matter if you are a low or high handicap player; golf swing length should never go past parallel. Of course, you have seen golfers like John Daly make a career out of swinging the club too long; this takes a lot of athletic ability.

My favorite way to think about this is to consider the clubface of the golf club. Think about taking the golf club back about five inches; wouldn’t it be pretty easy to keep the clubface square?

Now consider taking it back to waist-high. Still not that difficult to keep the clubface square.

You can probably tell where I’m going with this. The further you take the club back away from the ball, the harder it is to return it to square. You may be able to do it several times but to do it over and over again and get consistent results is much harder than it needs to be.

Keeping the golf club in control is the key to seeing more consistent scores on the golf course.

How to Tell If Your Backswing is Too Long

The best way to tell if your backswing is too long is to take a video of it. There are so many great ways to record a golf swing, and this can be as simple as using your phone and the help of a friend.

When you take the video, the easiest way to do this is to do a forward facing video. This means that the person recording stands face to face with you as you set up to hit.

Once you have the video, play it in slow motion until you reach the top of your golf swing. Just when you start to make the transition to the downswing, take a look at where the golf club is.

If the club is past parallel to the ground, you have taken it back too far.

4 Tips to Shorten Your Golf Swing

Now that you can identify how far back a golf swing should go and why it’s important not to overdo this motion, it’s time to shorter your golf swing. Here are some of my favorite ways to go about this process. You will be glad you decided to shorten your swing; it should make the game of golf considerably easier.

1. Start With a Chip Shot

One of the best ways to start taking shorter golf swings is to start by taking a chip shot. The chip shot is really just a shorter version of the full swing. When you take a short chip shot, you can focus on keeping the swing a bit more in check.

Once you have the chip shot down, start by increasing the length of your backswing. Maybe take the club to about ¾ distance as you would normally do to hit a pitch shot.

After you have increased to that ¾ distance, then extend it just a bit more to get to the top of your golf swing. Essentially you will find that this shorter swing feels almost like a pitch shot for quite some time.

However, when you see that your clubhead speed is increasing and your tendency to lose balance is decreasing, you may see the benefit of this pitch shot type swing and start to incorporate it into your golf game.

2. Use a Mirror

Using a mirror to practice is a great way to shorten your golf swing. You can use a number of drills that help you look up and see where the club is.

Sometimes when I practice something like this, I will use a dry-erase marker on the mirror to create the line that I want to swing back to. The tendency for many golfers when taking too big of a swing is to lose their spine angle as well.

It makes sense to make a mark on the mirror where you will want to ensure your head stays. This way, when you look up at the top of the swing, you can see if you are actually in a good position.

Keep practicing this so that you are able to repeat it without looking at the mirror. Many golf practice facilities have a mirror like this for you to use, but you can do it at home as well if you can create the setup indoors.

3. Stop and Look Drill

The Stop and Look drill is not always the most effective from a feedback standpoint, but it’s certainly what I have used to get through almost all swing flaws in my golf career. When we swing a golf club back, we can’t see how far it went.

Therefore it sometimes makes sense to take a peak and see where everything is.

When I’m working on something, I will step away from the golf ball, take my swing and then look and see the position of the club. I can check for things like clubface angle, the rotation of my shoulders, and especially the length of my golf swing.

The stop and look drill is made even better when you have a mirror to work with, but it certainly works without.

When the turn is efficient, and you are not taking the club back too far, you can then step up to the ball and try to repeat the motion you just made. I know this is not the most high-tech way to learn the game of golf, but it has always worked quite well.

This process works with any club. If you don’t have the money for training aids and devices to create a shorter swing, this drill will create muscle memory and start to train your brain to what a perfect length golf swing is.

4. Find a Stopping Point

As much as I like these other 3 tips to help you shorten your golf swing, many golfers complain that they still have no idea where the golf club is. For beginner golfers and some amateurs, the concept of where the golf club is at any given time can be a bit foreign.

Luckily, there are ways around this.

If you can find a stopping point on your backswing, chances are you can stop the swing at the correct point. For me, this stopping point is when my shoulder has rotated under my chin. Once I feel that shoulder gets into place, I know my golf swing is done.

From a feel standpoint, this still does feel like the club has not even reached the top of the swing. However, we know from momentum and the way the golf swing tricks us that the club has very much reached the parallel position.

Years ago, I had the misconception that a long backswing would help me get more power. After years of practicing and working on this concept, I have finally learned that a shorter swing leads to better results all around.

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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Your short game is where you gain or lose strokes. That’s why you should be spending as much time working on it as you do your long game.

In this post, I reveal the best putting mats to help you practice your stroke from home.

You’ll find that the options on this list include simple, narrow putting mats and broader premium designs with various cups to aim at. In addition, you’ll see that most of these putting mats are easy to roll up and store away or transport when you go on vacation.

1. Boburn Golf Mat – Best Overall Putting Mat

Dimensions

Pros

• 6 holes to aim at
• Optimal durability
• Produces a true-roll
• Remains stable while conducting your putting drills
• You can set it up inside or outdoors

Cons

• Premium price tag
• It takes time to get the wrinkle out when you first open it

The Boburn golf putting mat is my best overall putting practice mat, thanks to its quality, size, and quantity of cups to aim at. Although it carries a premium price tag, I feel it is well worth the money because it gives the closest feel to an actual putting green you can find.

At 5 x 10 feet, the high-quality Boburn mat is constructed from heavy-duty materials to offer superior durability. Besides its durability, you’ll find that the soft-elastic surface and slip-resistant rubber-backing keeps the green stable while you putt.

Furthermore, I enjoyed the speed consistency of these greens and that the True-roll surface simulated the conditions of an authentic green on a golf course. Besides my balls roll, I appreciated the six flagsticks to aim at, which is rare for a personal putting surface.

Finally, you can set the Boburn golf putting mat up inside or outdoors and practice most comfortably. However, you will need patience when rolling it out, as it will contain creases. I found that applying some weight to these areas overnight straightened them out.

2. Thorza Indoor Putting Mat – Best Budget Putting Mat

Dimensions

Pros

• Affordable putting mat
• Easily portable
• It comes with a carry bag and putting cup
• Features distance markings along the mat
• Ideal for indoor use

Cons

• It does not include any cut-out holes
• The surface is too similar to a carpet rather than a putting green

The Thorza indoor putting mat offers golfers an affordable setup, easy storage, and hassle-free portability. In addition, I felt the carry bag and the putting cup were a nice touch for an entry-level golf putting mat.

You’ll notice that this mat stretches 10 feet long and is only 1.65 feet wide, leaving little room for error. Besides boosting your accuracy on the golf course, Thorza added markers to help you optimize your distance control from 1 to 7 feet from the cup.

Moreover, I found that the mat remained in place, for the most part, thanks to its non-slip rubber underside. I would avoid consistently walking on it, as this cause it to slide out of place.

The biggest downside is that the mat does not contain cut-out holes for your golf balls to drop into. However, Thorza made up for it with a putting cup. Finally, I felt the surface was thicker than usual, leading to a slower roll, but at this price point, I cannot complain.

3. Perfect Practice Putting Mat – Best Automatic Ball Return System

Dimensions

Pros

• Automatically returns your ball to you after each putt
• Quality velvet material
• Features distance markers and lines to the cup
• Portable
• Includes 2 holes

Cons

• Expensive
• It takes a while to flatten the mat after unboxing it.

A tedious part of putting practice is collecting your golf balls at the end of your set. Fortunately, the Perfect Practice putting mat solves this with an automatic ball return system that shoots your ionomer back to you after every stroke.

I feel it allows me to stay in the zone for an extended period instead of breaking my concentration every few seconds to fetch a ball. You’ll see that this putting mat stretches 9.6 feet long and 15 inches wide to help you master close-range putts.

The putting mat of choice for Dustin Johnson features distance markers and lines to aid your roll to the cup. On the topic of cups, it is equipped with two to aim at. One is smaller to increase your challenge, while the other is regulation size.

Finally, the Perfect Practice putting green delivers a clean roll, and I found it is easy to pack up to transport between the office and home. My only gripe is its premium price tag, but the quality of the product is well worth the spend.

4. TrueBirdie Indoor Putting Green – Best For Distance Control Practice

Dimensions

Pros

• Moderately affordable
• Excellent for distance control training
• Practical travel bag to carry the mat
• Non-slip backing
• Easy to store

Cons

• It does not feature any cut-out holes
• It is not equipped with slope pads, leading to monotonous putts

Feel is an integral part of your putting stroke, and understanding how hard to strike each putt results in greater distance control. The TrueBirdie indoor putting greens feature distance markers from 1 to 8 feet from the cup, allowing you to work on specific lengths.

I find this knowledge is easily transferable to the links, and I have a better feel for how many feet I am from the cup. This 10-foot by 16-inch putting mat also demands straight putts to stay on the surface.

You’ll spot 3 putting targets on the mat, but none are cut out, which could bleak some golfers out. TrueBirdie made amends by adding a moveable silicone golf cup to place on the hole targets.

I also applaud the ease of portability thanks to the nifty draw-string travel back and found it easy to roll up. Lastly, the non-slip backing holds effectively as long as you avoid walking on it frequently.

5. TrueBirdie XL – Best For Mid Handicappers

Dimensions

Pros

• The green includes 2 flagsticks
• A removable backstop prevents golf balls from running wild
• You can create a slope for an extra challenge
• The broader design lets you putt it from different angles
• Quality turf material

Cons

• Moderately expensive
• It would be nice if the slope was more elevated

In my experience, the TrueBirdie XL offers the perfect practice putting mat for mid-handicappers. It provides excellent value for money, allowing golfers to putt from different angles and throw in the challenge of a slope.

You’ll see that the TrueBirdie XL putting green extends to 10.5 feet and is an impressive 3 feet wide. The added width allows you to putt from different positions and challenge yourself to a new line.

Besides putting from different angles, this putting mat offers golfers the luxury of adding a slope to the equation. TrueBirdie included a foam-shaped wedge that elevates the position of the flagsticks and demands precise distance control.

In addition, I enjoy the presence of 2 removable flag-sticks for two reasons. Firstly, you have two targets to aim at, and secondly, you can putt more balls before you need to clear out the cup. Finally, I also approve of the backstop behind the cup, as it stopped my golf balls from rolling all over the house.

6. Putt-A-Bout Par Three Plus – Best Office Putting Mat

Dimensions

Pros

• Affordable for a quality surface
• 3-hole cut-outs to aim at
• 2 hazard cut out to increase the challenge
• You can putt it from multiple angles
• Easy to roll up and store

Cons

• The mat does not contain any actual holes
• Rolling it up too tightly creates creases that are difficult to eradicate

If you are looking for the best indoor putting green to kit out your office, consider the Putt-A-Bout Par Three Plus. It is a simple kidney-shaped mat with 3 cut-out holes and 2 cut-out hazards to add an extra obstacle.

Besides the 2 cut-out hazards, which are broader on the Plus version than others, the 9-foot by 3-foot mat offers the added challenge of various angles. You can use this to your advantage when working on your putting skills and mastering a variety of lines.

Furthermore, I welcomed the flat green-like putting surface, which produced a consistent roll during practice. In addition, the non-skid backing did well to keep the mat grounded throughout.

Finally, the Putt-A-Bout Par Three Plus putting mat is easy to roll up and store whenever you need to hide the evidence of your training exercises.

7. Pinstripe Golf Putting Mat – Best Portable Putting Mat

Dimensions

Pros

• Simple to fold up
• It includes a swing path trainer template to boost accurate strokes
• Master start lines show you the way to the cup
• It comes with a carry bag for hassle-free portability
• It remains stable while practicing

Cons

• There are no actual holes
• It is expensive for indoor putting mats with no ramps

In the age of the digital nomad, you need to travel light and remain practical. Luckily, you don’t have to leave your golf training aids behind. The 7.87-foot by 1.64-foot mat is easy to fold and slide into the complimentary travel bag.

Besides its ease of transport, this putting mat features alignment aids to help you keep your putter head square at impact for accurate putts. Plus, you’ll find a line running down the center of the mat to help you keep your ball on target toward the cup.

Furthermore, this mat does not contain cut-out holes for your ball to drop into but includes a cup. I like the design because it requires you to send your ball at least 18-inches past for the cup to swallow it. You’ll find this promotes confident putts when you are out on the golf course.

I felt it was a nice touch to offer this mat in three different colors, giving the option of green, red and blue. Finally, a ball-blocking aim board prevents your balls from rolling all over the place, as a greaseless rubber bottom keeps them in place during practice.

8. SKLZ Accelerator Pro – Best Putting Mat For For Accurate Strokes

Dimensions

Pros

• It helps golfers produce straighter putts
• The hole at the top of the slope adds an additional challenge
• Affordable
• You can use it indoors or outside
• Quality materials used on the surface for the price

Cons

• The ball got stuck in the automatic returner on occasion
• If you putt it from either side of the alignment markers, the lines are erratic.

My final recommendation for the best putting mats is the SKLZ Accelerator Pro. In my experience, it offered the best platform to work on minimizing putter face twists during your stroke to keep the face square at impact.

The 9-foot by 16.25-inch mat features squaring and alignment lines at 3, 5, and 7 feet from the cup. Watch the putter path on your backstroke and follow through to ensure it remains on plane throughout. Over time it will become second nature to produce straighter strokes.

In addition, they equipped this putting mat with a hole at the top of the ramp. You’ll find this demands precise distance control to drain putts. Once your ball drops into the cup, it is remitted to the sender by the automatic ball returner.

Finally, I admired the quality of the surface as it was as close to actual grass as you can get on an affordable putting mat.

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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If you are new to the game of golf, a great milestone to shoot for is to break 100. 

It can take some time and patience, but with the right tips, any golfer can start to break 100 on their scorecard regularly.

How Long Does it Take Most Golfers to Break 100?

According to multiple statistics, it can take anywhere from 1 to 2 years for beginner golfers to break 100. Some talented beginners may be able to break 100 within a few months, but only if they commit to a rigorous practice schedule.

Did you know that only 55% of all golfers break 100 consistently? That’s why setting a goal to break 100 on your scorecard is a great place for amateur golfers to start.

10 Key Tips You Can Start Using Today to Finally Break 100 in a Round of Golf

1. Take Lessons from a PGA Teaching Pro

If I could change one thing about my golf career, I would have taken lessons from a professional instructor right away. 

Most golf courses have a PGA teaching pro on staff who can help teach you the basics of the game like the proper grip, stance, and setup. Taking lessons from a pro when you are first learning to play will help you learn the proper mechanics of the golf swing before any bad habits get ingrained into you.

Many folks have been able to shave 10 strokes or more off their score by simply getting a few key pointers from a professional instructor. A private lesson will usually cost anywhere from $60 to $125 an hour, but most instructors will normally give you a nice bulk discount if you purchase a set number of lessons. 

I was amazed at how much my game improved after only six lessons with a PGA teaching pro.

2. Get Fitted for Golf Clubs

Did you know that even if your swing mechanics are fundamentally sound, your golf clubs could be keeping you from breaking 100? A professional fitter can conduct a lie board test to determine what type of lie to give your irons. This simple adjustment will make it so much easier to hit your approach shots straighter.

A professional fitter will also make sure each of your clubs has the proper amount of loft. This will give you more control over your distance, which will greatly increase your chances of breaking 100.

Getting fitted for golf clubs can cost up to $400. However, some club fitters will either waive or severely reduce the fitting fee if you buy the new clubs from them. If you are going to pay top dollar for new golf clubs anyway, you might as well have them tailored to your own personal swing type.

3. Improve Your Putting with The Gate Drill

Did you know that most of your strokes on the golf course come on the putting green? Think about it. If you two-putt every hole, that’s 36 strokes. If you three-putt every hole (which is not uncommon for newbies), that adds up to 54 strokes. 

The fastest way to improve your score and break 100 is to learn the correct putting technique. The gate drill will make sure your putting stroke stays on a consistent “straight back and straight through” plane. This will help you make more birdies and pars.

Tiger Woods has been using the gate drill for several years. This drill is perfect for making sure that the putter face stays square at impact. Here is how it works:

• On a practice putting green, stand about 4 feet from the hole.
• Place two tees in the ground that are barely wide enough for your putter head to glide through.
• Now practice your putting stroke without making contact with either of the tees.
• Now that your putting stroke is more fundamentally sound, you should notice a big improvement on your scorecard.

4. Get Better at Lag Putting with the 40 / 50 / 60 Drill

A key to breaking 100 is learning how to avoid three-putts at all costs. The best way to do that is to improve your lag putting. This will especially come in handy on greens that are exceptionally large and fast.

Phil Mickelson is one of the best left-handed golfers in PGA Tour history. In the video below, Mickelson talks about how the 40/50/60 drill has helped his lag putting. Here’s how to perform it:

• Set three golf balls down 40 feet away from the pin.
• Do the same thing at 50 feet and 60 feet distances.
• Hit three lag putts from each distance while trying to get each ball to within five feet of the hole.
• Hit each lag putt with maximum force and aggressiveness but experiment with how far back you take the putter at each distance.

5. Try the Best Chipping Drill Ever

Let’s stick with short game tips and talk about hitting better chip shots. It’s amazing how many golfers neglect chipping during their practice time. That won’t cut it if you’re trying to break 100 on your scorecard.

The below video from Craig Hanson is a fantastic way to practice hitting quality chip shots. The cool thing is you don’t even need to be at the driving range to do this drill. You can perform it just fine in your backyard.

• Use 6 golf clubs to make 5 corridors.
• Each corridor should be spaced about 5 yards apart.
• Set a pile of golf balls 5 yards away from the first corridor.
• Practice landing your chip shots into the first corridor.
• Once you land one in the first corridor, proceed to the second corridor, third corridor, etc.
• Continue in order until you land a golf ball in each corridor.
• Now work your way back from corridor #5 to corridor #1.

A key to hitting good chip shots is being able to land the golf ball where you want it. This drill is one of the best around for helping golfers with their chipping accuracy.

(Bonus Tip: Practice your chip shots with your left hand lower on the golf club. This will help give you a better feel of the clubface.)

6. Dial In Your Driving Accuracy with the 4 Tees Drill

Nothing will keep you from breaking 100 faster than hitting inaccurate tee shots with your driver. Hitting your golf ball into water hazards or out of bounds (OB) isn’t just annoying, it costs you a penalty stroke every time.

The most common mistake that most rookie golfers make with the driver is overswinging. Lots of folks immediately try to kill the golf ball once they get the driver in their hands. This leads to way too many wayward tee shots and lots of lost golf balls.

The drill outlined below is perfect for teaching golfers how to make a more relaxed swing with the driver. Here’s how to try it out:

• Put 4 tees into the ground in a horizontal pattern without golf balls on top of them.
• Make a smooth, relaxed swing while simply trying to knock the tee out of the ground.
• Repeat the process until all 4 tees are out of the ground.
• Now tee a golf ball up and make the same type of smooth swing (you should notice that you probably made good contact with the sweet spot on the driver’s face).
• Hold your finishing pose for at least three seconds to ensure that your golf swing has plenty of balance.

7. Improve Your Bunker Play with the Best Bunker Drill Ever

Bunkers can ruin a good round of golf in a hurry. Bunkers can also keep you from breaking 100 if you don’t know how to get out of them safely and quickly. 

It’s not uncommon for some amateur golfers to cost themselves three or four strokes if they get caught in a particularly tough bunker. This can lead to lots of unwanted double bogeys and triple bogeys. Those big scores can make breaking 100 almost impossible.

In the video below, Zach Allen goes through a great drill that will help all golfers improve their bunker play. Here’s a brief description of how it works.

Take your sand wedge and dig it into the sand about one inch behind the golf ball. Now, make an aggressive swing and try to spank the sand. This will help you get used to what a good bunker shot should feel like and sound like.

(Note: During a live round of golf, you cannot ground your golf club into the sand. Doing so will result in a two-stroke penalty)

8. Smoke the Ball with Your Fairway Woods

Most beginner golfers and even some average golfers have a tough time hitting their fairway woods. This is because the fairway woods are longer and they have a straighter face. 

It can be incredibly difficult to get the ball off the ground with a 3-wood. For this reason, most high handicappers should opt for a 5-wood or one of their hybrids instead of the 3-wood. The extra loft from these clubs helps get the golf ball in the air.

Here are a few tips that will help you hit your fairway woods a bit better. This will help you shoot lower scores, especially on the longer Par 4 and Par 5 holes.

• Choke down on the club by an inch or two (this will give you more control of the clubface).
• Never try to scoop the ball up off the ground.
• Aim a little bit to the right and try to hit the ball to the left.

9. Hit Better Approach Shots with this Iron Drill

A great way to lower your handicap and start breaking 100 consistently is to improve your iron play. While hitting the driver accurately off the tee is very important, hitting a quality second shot will help you avoid the bogey blues.

Chris Ryan explains in the below video how to do his favorite iron drill. This drill will give you immediate feedback after each golf swing. Here is a brief guide to how it works.

• Take a can of white spray paint and spray a straight line in the fairway.
• Place a golf ball on the far side of the line.
• Take a 7-iron and address the golf ball while placing the clubface on the near side of the white line.
• Make several practice swings while focusing on hitting the left side of the line (target side).
• After all the practice swings, look down at the white line and study where you’ve been making contact with the ground.
• Now line up and hit the golf ball.

10. Perfect Your Pitch Shots with These 3 Tips

If you are going to break the 100 milestone consistently, you’ll need to be able to execute quality shots with your pitching wedge. Pitch shots are tough to execute for most amateur golfers because they are usually considered to be “in-between” shots. 

If your golf ball is too far for a chip shot but too close for a full shot, you are in prime pitching distance. A key to hitting good pitch shots is to focus on finesse and accuracy. In the video below from Alex Elliott, you’ll learn these three pitching fundamentals.

• Match your setup and length of your swing to the length of the shot. For shorter pitch shots, you want to use a more narrow stance. For longer pitches, consider spreading your feet out a bit more. It also helps to choke down on the golf club and open up your left foot a tad.
• Keep your arms in sync with your body. Focus on making a U shape from one hip to the other hip. This will keep you from getting too steep in your backswing.
• Complete a nice follow-through with your belt buckle pointing toward your target. This will help improve your balance.

Master these tips and you’ll be on your way to breaking 100 (and then 80) in no time.

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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Concentration has never been my strong point. 

When I was 6, my teachers wanted me on Ritalin, but my free-thinking parents resisted. I could not focus for long, which made the driving range a boring endeavor. However, over the years, I learned various range games. They optimized my training and made it more exciting.

Instead of aimlessly whacking golf balls, you practice with a purpose. As a result, your game is better for it, and the range becomes a place of enjoyment rather than boredom. The practice range games in this post are ideal for friendly competition and betting folk.

Before we fall into game mode, you might want to review our golf alignment stick drills to ensure you are set up correctly. There is no point in playing games if you are not executing the tasks correctly.

Long and Mid Range Games 

1. Longest Drive

This is a simple challenge where a launch monitor is a handy accessory. Determine the boundaries of your imaginary fairway, and start bombing drives. You could use the naked eye to determine the winner, but a launch monitor offers the most accurate results.

You no longer need to fork out thousands on a device. There are highly affordable options. For example, the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor or the FlightScope Mevo.

The idea is to hit 5 drives each, and the longest yardage inside the boundary wins. Those struggling to maximize distance off the tee can find solutions in our golf driving tips guide.

2. Fastest Ball Speed

The fastest ball speed range game allows you to channel your inner Kyle Berkshire and reign supreme over your buddies. Like the longest drive drill, each player swings 5 times, and the golfer with the fastest ball speed takes the crown.

Unless your superpower is a doppler radar, you need a launch monitor to provide feedback on the numbers.

3. Fastest Clubhead Speed

This challenge also requires a launch monitor to determine the velocity of your clubhead. Everybody bombs 5 drives from the hitting bay, and the player with the quickest clubhead speed is the victor.

A driver should produce the fastest clubhead speed, but your party can use a variety of clubs. As long as you are on equal terms. For example, if one player hits a fairway wood, everyone should use the same club. Otherwise, the results will be wildly erratic and defeat the purpose of the drill.

Golfers with slower swing speeds may find that a change of equipment can slightly boost velocity. Start with these golf balls for players with slow swing speed.

4. Play The Dogleg 

Just because you are an adult, it does not mean you cannot channel your imagination. I use this drill to work on my shot shaping and boost my creativity on the golf course. I picture a dogleg hole on a link I know well and pretend that I am playing the hole.

If it is a dogleg right, I attempt to fade the ball off the tee and land it in a zone the size of the fairway on that hole. Depending on the distance of my drive, I use the relevant club for the approach shot. Obviously, I cannot putt. However, it helps you with positioning and distance control.

Learning how to play different types of shots also trains you to escape trouble. When you drive it into the trees during a round of golf, you have options at your disposal to recover and limit the damage.

5. Horse

You can play horse in a variety of forms and even switch out the letters for points. That is what my buddies and I do. The game I play is a variation of the original but offers twice the enjoyment. The only downside of this version is that a launch monitor is required for data on select challenges.

Each player hits a total of 10 shots. However, before you hit the next shot, the winner of the previous point chooses what to do. We usually include the following challenges:

• Longest drive
• Ball Speed
• Clubhead Speed
• Straight Shot
• Biggest Draw
• Biggest Fade Curve
• Highest Apex
• Closest To The Pin

The winner of each challenge gets a point, and the highest score after all the tasks are complete wins. You will need a launch monitor for these drills to avoid any debates or uncertainty among your mates.

6. Flagstick Challenge

Another elementary golf drill that does not require any technology. If your driving range contains flags, it presents the perfect opportunity to test your iron accuracy game. Pick out the various locations you wish to hit, and away you go.

Each participant hits 5 shots to get it as close to the flagstick as possible. The closest to the mark wins the round while the others receive zero points. You can offer extra points for hitting the stick, but that complicates matters.

The best approach is to pick 4-flags and hit a 4, 7, 9-iron, and pitching wedge.

Short Range Games

7. Closest To The Pin

Moving out of the hitting bay and onto the putting and chipping green. These drills lead to better golf, a lower handicap, and fewer total strokes. Closest to the pin works similar to the flagstick challenge. 

Pick 5-holes on the green, and try to get your ball closer to the cup, and claim a higher score than your opponents. Every golfer chips five balls to each hole, and the closest earns a point.

You can also use the same hole but chip from varying distances. It is irrelevant whether you use a sand or lob wedge for this drill.

8. Around The World

Around the world is a putting challenge, similar to a basketball drill I did in high school. You place ball markers around the cup, approximately 5 to 7-feet away. The participants decide on the start and end point, and you are all set.

You cannot progress to the next marker until you have successfully drained a putt in your current position. The player to successfully journey around the world first claims top honors.

Our guide to improving your putting stance could boost your performance in this challenge, helping you dominate your mates.

9. Manilla Folder Challenge 

Place a folder or piece of paper on a specific point, and attempt to get the ball to stop on the marker. Every player has 5-putts, and each time your ball stops in the zone, you claim a point. The player with the most points wins.

10. Down The Drain 

I love this challenge, and it boosts your confidence on the putting green. Place markers down at 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30-feet intervals, and start with the closest point. This time, every player putts 1 ball. If you drain the putt, you card a birdie, and a 2 putt is a par. 3-putts are bogey, and a 4-putt is a double.

Tally up your scores, and the player with the lowest round is the champion with the flatstick.

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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Summer has arrived, so you better prepare yourself for those hot days on the golf course. A hat, sunglasses, moisture-wicking shorts, and a shirt are necessary.

In this post, I prepare you for the heat by unveiling our top 6 best golf shirts that will help you stay cool in hot weather.

You can maximize your comfort levels by wearing shirts that wick moisture and encourage optimal airflow. The golf polo shirts listed below are breathable, comfortable, and offer excellent UV protection to shield your skin from the sun’s rays.

What to Look for in a Good Golf Shirt

UV Protection

Before I discuss the comfort elements of a golf shirt, let me get the protective qualities out the way. When you are playing in warm weather, sun protective clothing is vital. I recommend golf shirts that provide SPF 50+ protection.

Materials that offer this protection block out approximately 98% of type B ultraviolet (UVB) rays. This is the most effective sun-fighting material on the market. If your golf shirts do not possess this level of protection, you may become sunburned during your round.

Moisture Wicking Material

The best golf shirts for hot weather contain material that wicks moisture away from the interior. This keeps you dry, refreshed, and comfortable while on the links. When your shirt fails to wick moisture, you become drenched and large wet patches grace your polo.

That look is neither comfortable nor attractive. However, it can easily be avoided with moisture-wicking fabric.

Breathability

Sticking with comfort. Breathability is the next core factor to look for in a golf shirt. This means that the material encourages maximum airflow through the material to cool your skin down.

Therefore, you do not risk overheating and sweating profusely. If you reach this point, the moisture-wicking qualities of the shirt fail, and you become drenched. That leaves you uncomfortable and miserable and can ruin your round on a beautiful day.

Stretch Fabric

Golf apparel is about more than fashion and comfort. Your shirt and pants can impact your golf swing if they lack stretchability. Golfers require the stretch fabric to optimize freedom of movement while walking and swinging.

This fabric does not restrict your movement on your backswing and follow through. As a result, it helps you maximize your power for a superior strike. Ideally, you should look at 4-way stretch golf shirts for optimal freedom on the golf course. However, these products may fetch a higher price than 2-way stretch material.

Manufacturers typically boost the stretch of their golf shirts by employing a dash of elastane or spandex. These materials outstretch well without damaging, ensuring longer-lasting clothing.

The 6 Best Golf Shirts for Hot Weather

1. Under Armour Playoff 2.0

The Under Armour Playoff 2.0 golf shirt is a blend of polyester and elastane designed to provide comfort and optimal freedom of movement. Plus, the material keeps you cool and dry while you navigate the golf course.

Soft, anti-pill fabric is ultra-lightweight, which promotes increased airflow through the shirt. Therefore, it is incredibly breathable to keep you dry and cool during your round. In addition, the material is quick-drying to avoid drenching you on a warm day.

Moreover, the fabric wicks away moisture from the interior, preventing the build-up of sweat. This keeps you dry, refreshed and comfortable for 18-holes.

Under Armour created the Playoff 2.0 line with 4-way stretch material to encourage maximum range of motion during your swing. The stretchable material prevents arm restriction on your backswing and follow through. This enables maximum clubhead speed generation.

Ultimately, this is a relatively pricey shirt and for a good reason. It keeps you comfortable and promotes excellent freedom of movement. Lastly, it is moisture-wicking and breathable.

Pros

• Breathable
• Moisture wicking
• 4-way stretch
• Machine washable
• Multiple colors and patterns

Cons

• Moderately expensive
• It does not contain anti-odor technology

2. Puma Golf Grill to Green Polo

The Puma Golf Grill to Green Polo is packed with technology built to keep you dry, cool and protected from the sun. This design keeps you comfortable on the links and prevents your skin from roasting under the summer sun.

Puma employed DRYCELL technology to ensure dryness throughout your round. Technical performance fabric extracts the moisture from your skin, maintaining dryness and comfort.

Further enhancing your experience is a performance fit design that contains wider shoulders, sleeves, and a chest area. This allows you to produce optimal upper body rotation during your swing without restrictions. As a result, it helps you boost the power of your swing for a straight, long golf shot.

UPF 40+ material means that the shirt blocks out 1/40th of the sun’s radiation to which your skin is exposed. Therefore, you stand a higher chance of walking off the golf course with limited sunburn. Lastly, the Puma Grill to Green Polo is easy to maintain thanks to its machine-washable fabric.

Pros

• UPF protection
• Drycell technology
• Moisture wicking fabric
• Maximum freedom of movement
• Moderately affordable

Cons

• Reduced breathability
• It does not contain anti-odor technology

3. Nike Dri-Fit Victory

Nike constructed their Dri-Fit Victory golf shirts from recycled polyesters to highlight the company’s commitment to reducing emissions.

This moderately priced golf shirt features Dri-Fit technology to wick sweat away from your skin, keeping you dry during an outing on the golf course. Furthermore, the lightweight polyester materials welcome airflow through the shirt to cool you off when sweating.

In addition, the polyester material encourages a maximum range of motion, preventing upper body restriction on your swing. Plus, the performance fit of the shirt frees up your shoulders and chest to produce excellent rotation on your backswing and downswing.

Furthermore, the Dri-Fit Victory is a machine washable shirt promoting hassle-free maintenance. Simply throw the shirt into the washing machine after every round to keep it spotless and smelling fresh.

Pros

• Sweat-wicking material
• Crafted from recycled polyester fibers
• Stretchable
• Freedom of movement
• Breathable

Cons

• Moderately expensive
• It does not possess anti-odor technology

4. Adidas Performance Primegreen Polo

Adidas kept up with their apparel rival Nike by crafting the Primegreen Polo. Like the Nike Dri-Fit, this Adidas golf shirt is crafted from high-performance recyclable materials. Adidas suggests that shirts constructed from Primegreen comprise 40% of recycled materials.

The Primegreen features a rib-knit collar. Plus, the shirt is constructed with lightweight jersey fabric to encourage airflow through the material. The constant airflow cools your skin down, which goes a long way to keeping you dry.

Moreover, the material possesses moisture-wicking qualities to remove sweat from your skin and the shirt’s interior. This keeps you and your shirt dry for 18-holes. The combination of moisture-wicking and quick dry qualities leads to exceptional comfort.

Pros

• Constructed from recycled materials
• Breathable
• Moisture wicking
• Quick dry
• A wealth of color options

Cons

5. Columbia Omni-Wick Drive Polo

The stand-out features of the Columbia Omni-Wick Drive polo are sun protection and moisture wicking. Therefore, the outdoor apparel giant presents a golf shirt that is protective, comfortable and offers a host of colors to select from.

The star of the show is the Omni-Wick technology which extracts sweat from your skin and the shirt’s interior. As a result, the technology helps you remain dry, even in the hottest conditions.

Aside from keeping you dry, this shirt is fitted with Omni-Shade protection to shield your sensitive skin from the sun’s harsh rays. The Omni-Shade technology deflects 1/30th of the fire ball’s radiation to prevent burn and permanent skin damage.

Finally, the Columbia Omni-Wick Drive Polo is machine washable and available in 26 colors.

Pros

• UPF 30 sun protection
• Omni-wick moisture removal
• The shirt keeps you dry in hot weather
• 26 colors to choose from
• Machine washable

Cons

• Reduced breathability
• The material does not possess anti-odor qualities.

6. Callaway Ottoman Performance Polo

Our final golf shirt pick for warm weather is the Callaway Ottoman Performance polo. Callaway crafted a comfy, moisture-wicking, sun protective shirt to use in the summer. Therefore, it takes longer for the sun’s rays to burn the skin on your upper body, and you remain refreshed and dry.

Opti-Dri technology features to extract sweat from your skin and the interior of the polo. This performance avoids large sweat patches from building up around your shirt.

Furthermore, the material possesses UPF 15 sun protection, which blocks out 1/15th of sunlight rays. Although it is better than nothing, it is a far cry from the UPF 40 and 50 protection of competitor golf shirts.

A ribbed texture material offers a stylish look to improve your fashion sense. Plus, it pushes airflow through the shirt, ensuring all moisture is removed from the skin. In addition, the Ottoman consists of stretch fabric designed to enhance your range of motion during your swing.

Finally, the Callaway Ottoman Performance Polo features a generous, comfortable fit to improve your experience.

Pros

• Moisture wicking
• Sun Protection
• Breathable
• Comfortable fit
• Maximum stretch

Cons

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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