Practice Games to Improve Accuracy and Consistency
Golf, like any other activity, can only be mastered by putting in the practice hours. Unfortunately, practice can often feel like a chore and this leads to practice being neglected by many golfers. One way to make practice more fun is to use these games the next time you’re on the range and practice areas.
Driving Range
Phantom Fairway
To improve accuracy, set yourself imaginary boundaries on the range and play your balls within those boundaries. You can start with wide, generous fairways and then progress to tighter boundaries. This is also a great way to visualize your game. Look at the course you are next intending to play and using your phantom fairway, play through your drives for each hole to help develop shotmaking skills.
G-O-L-F
This is an easy variation of the classic basketball game Horse and is a great way to enjoy some friendly competition with your friends after getting warmed up. Simply pick a target distance and area, call your shot, and if you make it then your friend has to make the same shot or get a letter. First to spell Golf loses.
Flagstick Challenge
At the driving range, select a flagstick (if your range doesn’t have flagsticks us another obstacle around the par-3 range) with a friend or friends. Then, each player hits their ball at the designated target with the closest earning a point. The first golfer to 5 points wins the game.
Short Game Practice Area
Closest to the Hole
This is a game to be played with at least 2 players. First determine the the order of players. The first player gets to pick the first location and each player attempts to chip in from that spot. The closest ball earns 2 points, the next closest earns 1 point and any chip holed in counts for 4 points. Next, the second player picks the next shot and the process repeats itself. Once every player has had the chance to pick a shot the round is over.
5-Step
This game is to practice transitioning between chips from different yardages. Take 3 balls and set them for a short chip. Then take 5 steps back and drop another 3 balls, then take another 5 steps and drop 3 balls. Starting at the shortest distance, chip your ball. Then, move to the medium distance and take your short before moving to the farthest distance. Next, repeat the drill in reverse and continue until all balls are gone. For more variation, increase the distance between shots or add more distances.
Bulls-Eye
On the short game practice area, pick a spot you want to practice chips from and make sure you have at least 5 practice balls. Then hit all your balls towards the hole. Award yourself 5 points for any holed chips, with 3 points for every ball within a club length and 1 point for a ball that is within 2 club lengths. This is a game that can be played alone or with others. You can also play first to 15 to try and increase accuracy.