LOCKDOWN GOLF DRILLS
GOLF AT HOME
Posted: Sunday 31st January 2021
If you’re anything like our members, you want to improve your golf, but lockdown has put a huge spanner in the works. Fear not. We have scanned the web to find out tips and tricks as to how you can continue to practice golf at home, in a safe manner. Put it this way - we wouldn't recommend setting up a bed sheet in your back garden. We've all seen the videos...
We've included two fun putting drills and two chipping drills for you to challenge yourself.
Why not film them and challenge your friends online too?
TEN PIN (CHIP) BOWLING
This one's just for fun but can definitely help with accuracy and alignment. A great exercise to visualise your ball curve.
Set-up ten golf balls, similar to skittles at a bowling alley. Learn to aim your clubface correctly and bring it back square at impact.
Do you chip a strike or spare?
To make it more interesting challenge a friend and go head-to-head. Screen it live via WhatsApp, Skype or Facebook Messenger to add a bit more pressure. It's a great way to keep in touch with fellow golf addicts.
PUTTING ON A PLATE
For those wishing to improve their putting simply grab a dinner plate from the kitchen – or, if you are feeling ambitious, a side plate. Maybe avoid your best china. Take it into a carpeted area of the house, and set it face down on the carpet. You have just created one of the simplest and best putting training aids.
Your goal for this exercise is to see how many putts it takes you to get the ball to stay on the flat, central area FIVE times. The slopes off the side of the plate obviously repel the ball, meaning only a putt hit at the perfect pace, on the perfect line, will stay on.
If the plate you have chosen is too hard – or too easy – switch it for a more appropriate one.
HOSE PIPE CHIPPING
If you're lucky enough to have a garden this drill is great to practice chipping. Arrange a hose into a series of even turns, similar to how a rattlesnake moves.
You're basically creating a series of zones which will become your landing areas.
The idea is to chip into each loop zone, moving up the serpent and then back down. The accuracy element comes with the necessity to chip straight down the loops; but the very small differences in landing areas will help you dial into an awareness of the finite adjustments needed to control distance – we’re only talking a yard difference from one target to the next.
THE MONEY SHOT
Coin putting is a great exercise to check the quality of your stroke play.
On a hard surface at home simply make a gate with two tees (turned upside down) a golf ball width apart.
With a measuring tape alongside mark out two ft to begin. Put a round coin on its side (an old £1 coin is great for this drill) and try to putt it through the gate.
The more accurate you become start extending the length and gradually build up your putting distance.
