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A GENTLER MONTH OF LONG-GAME PRACTICE
Try the 30-day long game challenge
Seven drills. Your pace. Enjoy your practice.
Over the next 30 days, choose from these seven long-game drills whenever you have time to practise. Repeat your favourites, try something different and enjoy having one simple idea to take to the range.
These drills are from the Golf Practice Made Fun App.
There’s no fixed timetable, points table or pass mark. You don’t need to practise every day, work through the drills in order or complete all seven. One useful session is a good start.
A familiar iron is a good place to begin. You don’t need a driver, a huge bucket of balls or a perfect swing to take part.
Step 1. Pick a drill that suits today
Choose one idea that interests you. Bring a familiar iron and a few balls to the range. Alignment uses sticks, and Weight Transfer uses a low tee. Body Motion can begin without a club or ball, wherever you have room to move comfortably.
| If you fancy… | Try this drill |
|---|---|
| Give your setup a simple check | Alignment |
| Get comfortable turning through | Body Motion |
| Try a swing that feels easier to repeat | Shorten Your Swing |
| Take the rush out of your swing | Tempo |
| Notice your balance at the finish | Hit, Hold & Check |
| Feel your weight move through the shot | Weight Transfer |
| Give each ball a fresh purpose | Random Target Range Challenge |
Using the App? Open your dashboard, choose Long game and search for the card’s name. Save the cards you like to My Cards so they’re easy to find next time.
You could return to one or two favourites throughout the month, or sample all seven. There’s no need to change drills just because another day has passed.
Step 2. Enjoy your long-game practice
Begin with a few comfortable rehearsals, then try easy shots. Give yourself time to settle before each ball. Notice the feel of the swing and where the ball goes, then have another go.
A simple example: Try Alignment on your first range visit. Repeat it next time, then add Shorten Your Swing if you feel like it. On another visit, explore Tempo or choose different targets. You choose the rhythm.
Keep one main idea in mind at a time. If a movement feels awkward, make it smaller or choose a different drill. A few relaxed swings are enough for a useful session.
DRILL 1 · LONG GAME CARD 2
Alignment
Give your setup a simple check
Choose a clear target on the range. Lay one alignment stick on the ground along the target direction and another parallel to it beside your feet, both clear of your swing. Set the clubface towards your target and check that your feet, hips and shoulders sit comfortably along the parallel line. Hit a few easy shots, resetting your setup each time.
Keep it easy: Use a familiar iron and a broad target area. The aim is to notice your setup, not to land every ball beside a flag.
DRILL 2 · LONG GAME CARD 10
Body Motion
Get comfortable turning through
Without a club, take your usual golf posture and cross your arms over your chest. Make a small turn back, allowing your chest and hips to move together. Gently move pressure towards your front foot and turn through to face the target. After a few comfortable rehearsals, try short-iron half-shots with the same easy movement.
Keep it easy: Keep the turn small and natural. You can practise the movement without hitting a ball.
DRILL 3 · LONG GAME CARD 55
Shorten Your Swing
Try a swing that feels easier to repeat
Take a familiar iron and make a few rehearsals with a shorter backswing. Swing through to a comfortable, balanced finish. Then hit a few balls towards one broad target, noticing how the shorter swing feels and how the club meets the ball.
Keep it easy: There is no need to chase distance. A manageable swing and comfortable contact are plenty to explore.
DRILL 4 · LONG GAME CARD 69
Tempo
Take the rush out of your swing
Make a few easy practice swings. Let the change from backswing to downswing feel smooth, with your lower body beginning the move and your arms following. Hit a few relaxed shots with the same pace, giving yourself time to reset between balls.
Keep it easy: Use an easy effort. If you feel yourself rushing, pause and make another comfortable rehearsal.
DRILL 5 · LONG GAME CARD 27
Hit, Hold & Check
Notice your balance at the finish
Without a ball, move slowly into an impact position and pause briefly. Swing through to a balanced finish and hold it for a couple of seconds. Repeat a few times, then hit short shots and notice whether the finish feels steady.
Keep it easy: Start with small swings. Holding the finish is a way to notice your balance, not something to score.
DRILL 6 · LONG GAME CARD 76
Weight Transfer
Feel your weight move through the shot
Tee a ball low for a familiar iron. Make a gentle rehearsal, letting pressure move towards your front foot as you swing through. Hit a controlled shot and finish comfortably over your front side. Reset and try again, keeping the movement smooth.
Keep it easy: Avoid lunging towards the target. A small, comfortable pressure shift is enough to practise.
DRILL 7 · LONG GAME CARD 79
Random Target Range Challenge
Give each ball a fresh purpose
Before each shot, choose a clear, generous target area. Step back, decide on your shot and use your normal routine. Change the target or club for the next ball, then begin again.
Keep it easy: Start with two broad targets and one favourite club. You can add another club when you feel like it. There are no points for hitting the target.
Step 3. Complete your round
If you’re using the Golf Practice Made Fun App, you can tick one box in your Practice Round after each shot or rehearsal. A tick means you practised; it doesn’t depend on hitting a target or making a perfect swing.
A round of 18 is an optional guide. Play fewer shots if that suits your time, or come back to finish the round another day. There’s no need to rush, restart after a poor shot or force yourself to finish.
There’s nothing to add up. If you want, leave one short note such as “The shorter swing felt comfortable” or “Taking my time helped.” Notes are optional too.
At the end of the 30 days, ask yourself: Which drill did I enjoy? What felt easier? What would I like to keep practising? Use those answers to choose your next card. You don’t need a final test or a better score to have made worthwhile use of the month.
George’s Conclusion
A bucket of balls is more useful when you have one clear idea to try. Keep the swing comfortable, choose a drill you enjoy and let the practice fit around your life.
If one card becomes a favourite you’re happy to return to, the challenge has given you something useful. You can also try the 30-day putting challenge when you fancy a change.
MAKE THE NEXT BUCKET COUNT
Pick a card. Practise with purpose.
