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Seven Drills. Seven Categories. One Better Practice Session.
Your practice at a glance
These golf drills are from the Golf Practice Made Easy App.
Voted for by our members, these seven standout golf drills cover every category of the Golf Practice Made Easy App — from the short game to swing speed, fitness and confidence.
For putting, try Luke Donald’s Hammer a Nail; for chipping, use the Grip-Down Chipping Drill; and for sand shots, explore the Rory McIlroy Bunker Drill. Sharpen your distance control with Goldilocks Wedge, work on the full swing with Lightning Hands, strengthen your balance with Bird-Dog Balance Control, or improve your shot planning with Chew the Fat Behind the Ball.
Each selection includes its existing infographic, a simple three-step summary and a link to the full drill. Choose the area you want to improve and practise at your own pace.
Putting
Drill 1. Luke Donald’s Hammer a Nail Putting Drill
This drill uses the feel of a controlled hammer stroke to encourage smoother, more purposeful putting contact.
The picture gives you one simple thought for the stroke rather than a long checklist. Practise with a clear target and notice the pace and finish of each ball.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose a hole roughly 20 feet away and use the idea of gently tapping a nail with a hammer as your putting cue. |
| 2 | Make three relaxed rehearsals, then putt with a controlled stroke and natural compact follow-through. |
| 3 | Play eighteen putts. Award a point for each ball that finishes within three feet of the hole, including any holed putts. |
Chipping
Drill 2. Grip-Down Chipping Drill
A shorter, comfortable grip can help you simplify a delicate chip and find a more repeatable strike.
Compare two grip positions rather than changing several parts of your technique at once. Pay attention to how each ball lands and rolls.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Pick a short fairway chip with plenty of green and mark your normal and shorter grip positions. |
| 2 | Chip nine balls using your normal grip, then nine using a comfortable lower position on the rubber grip. |
| 3 | Compare contact, landing spots and rollout. Use the grip position that gives you the most useful pattern. |
Bunker
Drill 3. Rory McIlroy Bunker Drill
This bunker setup drill makes it easier to organise the clubface, your stance and a committed splash through the sand.
A T-shaped mark in the sand gives you a simple visual reference. The aim is to enter the sand consistently behind the ball and keep moving through the shot.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Draw a T in the sand as a setup guide and place a ball forward of the line where your club should enter. |
| 2 | Open the clubface before taking your grip, settle with pressure towards your lead foot and set up comfortably. |
| 3 | Make a committed swing through the sand to a balanced finish. Repeat the routine for eighteen attempts. |
Wedge play
Drill 4. Goldilocks Wedge Drill
The short–long–target sequence improves your sense of wedge distance without relying on one perfect swing.
By deliberately hitting one shot short and another long, you create two clear references for the target distance you want.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose a wedge, a comfortable yardage and a clear target zone; keep them the same for each cycle. |
| 2 | Play one ball deliberately short of the zone and one beyond it. Notice the different swing lengths and rhythms. |
| 3 | Play a third ball towards the target using what you learned. Complete six cycles for eighteen shots. |
Long game
Drill 5. Lightning Hands Golf Drill
This drill explores a freer club release so you can build speed awareness without simply swinging harder.
Start small and focus on the timing of the release. Only build the swing when the movement remains comfortable and controlled.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Begin with no ball and make a relaxed half swing, feeling the club move freely through the impact area. |
| 2 | Rehearse a brisk but controlled release of the hands and club; avoid forcing extra speed or losing your balance. |
| 3 | Try the feel with a ball. Complete eighteen controlled practice swings or shots, resetting between attempts. |
Golf fitness
Drill 6. Bird-Dog Balance Control
Bird-dogs build steady trunk control while your arms and legs move — a useful foundation for balance in golf.
The goal is not to lift high or move quickly. A slow, comfortable reach with a quiet body makes the exercise worthwhile.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Start on all fours on a mat, with hands below shoulders, knees below hips and a comfortably neutral back. |
| 2 | Slowly extend one arm and the opposite leg to roughly trunk height while keeping your hips facing down. |
| 3 | Return with control and swap sides. Complete eighteen alternating reaches in two sets of nine. |
Mind game
Drill 7. Chew the Fat Behind the Ball
This simple thinking routine helps you make a clear decision before stepping up to play the ball.
Plan the shot behind the ball rather than bringing several conflicting thoughts into the address position.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Stand behind your ball and choose a clear target and suitable landing area. |
| 2 | Consider the distance, lie, wind and any important slope. Select your club and one positive cue for the shot. |
| 3 | Step in and commit to the plan. Repeat the full pre-shot routine over eighteen shots. |
