How to practice golf at home

To keep your game sharp, here, The Belfry’s Director of Golf, Chris Reeve, shares his top tips on golf training at home.

Equipment to use at home

Being stuck inside does not mean you cannot practice your game. With just a club and a golf ball, you can practice your aim, alignment, and distance control to master those all-important chipping and putting shots. So, make sure to keep practicing at home to ensure you are on top of your game when you return to the course.

For most golf drills, you will need a putter and a chipping club. Foam golf balls are an excellent option for practicing at home and they are widely available to buy online. They are window proof, making them ideal for indoor games and challenges, and suitable for all ages.

Try to avoid practicing your swing indoors, as there are too many variables for injuring yourself or damaging property, so only do this if you are using foam balls and have access to wide open spaces.

If you can get your hands on a chipping net, a putting mat, or a practice range mat then these are great aids to use. If you don’t have any of these items, you will need to get creative with the equipment you use – think upside down umbrellas, hats, and drink cans.

Chris Reeve

Best golf drills to do at home

Many golfers will argue that wasted shots tend to occur on the putting green. Perfecting your putt is an extremely effective way of improving your overall game and there is no better way to do so than practicing putting drills.

These home golf drills are all designed to help you practice distance control, alignment, and aim, and are suitable for indoor and outdoor play. The following exercises use household items for those who do not have access to golf training equipment and are just as effective.

Donalding drills

The Belfry ambassador, Matt Wallace, has  shared his favourite drill for practicing distance control. This is usually done on the course but is easy enough to practice at home. 

Write down 20 shots ranging in length from four to eight feet and place a tick next to each shot that you make within the target. Matt recommends setting a target of 15 out of 20 and assigning yourself a forfeit as an incentive. Practicing this weekly will help you improve your distance control, which is essential for those important deciding putts.

Basic putting drill

A basic putting drill involves creating a target and practicing your shot at varying distances. Keep an eye out for your swing path and club face, as these factors will determine whether you miss or hit your target. Putting aids, such as mirrors or arcs, are a great way to practice as they offer feedback on your swing and club face, but you can still practice without these.

Basic chipping drills

Take a target, such as a bottle or can, and place it against a wall. Using ten balls, make a clean strike from 10-15 feet and see how many times you can hit your target. Keep practicing this to improve your aim. When you are continuously hitting your target, move on to the next drill.

Cereal box chipping challenge

Daniel Warwick, Head PGA Golf Professional at The PGA National Academy, has shared his favourite chipping drill to do at home.

Place three cereal boxes at nine, 12 and 15 feet from the starting point. Using a chipping wedge, the aim of the exercise is to knock the cereal boxes down in as few shots as possible. Try to knock all three down using just five golf balls.

Stroke play challenge

The Belfry ambassador, Stuart Broad, has shared his recommendation for a fun stroke play challenge at home.

For Stuart’s three-item drill, you will need to get the ball down a few steps – even one will do – towards a target such as a cap, with a final put towards an end target. Stuart managed to complete the challenge in six shots. Practicing the stroke play challenge regularly will help you to refine your aim and alignment.

While at home, also get into the spirit of golf by watching tournaments that are being broadcast and pick up tips from the players – including, in this era of Covid-19, some of the historic tournaments where records were broken.