Proven Golf Swing Drills For Beginners to Lower Your Handicap

Proven Swing Drills For Beginners to Lower Your Handicap

Golfers at the range practice with purpose, working on swing drills to develop better habits.

If you want to lower your scores and reach the next level in golf, it’s essential to practice at the range with a plan. Practicing without a strategy can be like shooting arrows in the dark. The secret that professional golfers and low-handicappers understand is that specific swing drills can greatly accelerate improvement. By concentrating on key fundamentals and consistently repeating quality movements, you’ll develop a more consistent swing, hit better shots, and ultimately lower your handicap.

In this guide, we will introduce a variety of proven drills that target different aspects of your game. These will range from full swing techniques aimed at improving ball striking to short game and putting drills designed to help you lower your score. The drills are beginner-friendly and have been recommended by experienced coaches and players.

We will also provide tips on how to practice effectively and how to incorporate these drills into your routine. Whether you’re a beginner looking to improve from a 30 handicap to the teens or an intermediate player aiming for single digits, these drills can make your practice sessions both enjoyable and productive. Let’s get started on transforming your game!

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Keys to Effective Practice

Before we dive into the drills, it’s essential to understand how to practice effectively. You may have heard the saying, “practice makes perfect,” but in golf, it’s more accurate to say that “practice makes permanent.” If you practice with poor habits, you will only reinforce those habits. Let’s make sure your practice routines are on point:

Quality Over Quantity: It’s not about beating 500 balls mindlessly. It’s better to hit 50 balls with focus than 200 with fatigue. Set a specific goal for each practice session and concentrate on one aspect at a time (e.g., weight shift, or clubface alignment) rather than trying to fix everything at once. Each drill below has a purpose – stick to that purpose during reps.
Include Short Game Drills: A common mistake is spending all practice time on full swings. Putting and chipping offer the quickest path to lowering scores. Always include a putting or chipping drill in your routine, even if it’s just 10 minutes on the practice green. Remember, around 40% or more of your strokes are putts!
Be Consistent: Improvement comes from regular practice. It’s more effective to practice a little bit several times a week than to have one big session once a month. Even if you can only practice in your backyard or living room for 10 minutes each day, those short practice sessions add up. One low-handicap player remarked that sneaking in brief practice sessions, such as working on his takeaway or practicing putts at home throughout the week, helped keep his game sharp.
Utilize Feedback Aids: Whenever possible, incorporate tools like alignment sticks, mirrors, or even record yourself to receive feedback. For instance, place an alignment stick on the ground to assist with body alignment, or use foot spray on your clubface to determine where you’re making contact with the ball. Feedback is essential for understanding whether your drills are effective. In some of the drills mentioned below, simple props like tees or coins can act as helpful feedback tools.
Make It Fun and Challenging: Drills typically include a built-in game or goal, such as making a certain number of putts in a row. Embrace these challenges! They simulate pressure and help keep you engaged. If you start to lose focus, switch drills or take a short break. The aim is focused practice, not a tedious chore.

Keeping those tips in mind, let’s dive into the drills. We’ve compiled a variety of full swing and short game drills that are both time-tested and beginner-friendly. You don’t need to incorporate all of them into every practice session—just choose one or two to focus on. Over the course of several weeks, rotate through these drills and watch your skills and scores improve!

Want to make sure your grip isn’t holding you back? Read our 5 Simple Golf Grip Tips for Beginners.

1. The 3-6-9 Putting Drill

What it improves: Medium-length putting, distance control, and putting under pressure.

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How to do it: Choose a hole on the practice green and set up markers (such as tees or coins) at distances of 3 feet, 6 feet, and 9 feet from the hole. Start by putting from the 3-foot marker. If you successfully make the putt, move to the 6-foot marker, and then to the 9-foot marker. The challenge is that you must sink a specific number of putts in a row at each distance before you can “level up.” For example, you might set the requirement at 3 successful putts in a row from 3 feet, then 2 in a row from 6 feet, and finally 1 from 9 feet. Adjust these goals as necessary. This drill puts you under pressure, making the last 9-footer particularly challenging, as you won’t want to start over if you miss! It’s both a confidence booster and an excellent way to improve your feel for different putting distances.

By consistently practicing the 3-6-9 drill, you will find that those nerve-wracking 3 to 5-foot putts on the course become routine. Additionally, you will develop better touch for longer putts, as you’ll be accustomed to making plenty from 6 to 9 feet during practice. Many golfers have reported that this drill alone has helped them save several strokes by reducing the number of three-putts they have.

2. The Gate Drill (Putting Path)

What it Improves: This drill enhances your stroke path and center-face contact.

How to Do It: The gate drill is a classic exercise, even used by Tour professionals (you may have seen Tiger Woods perform it). To set it up, take two tees and place them in the ground slightly wider than your putter head, creating a “gate” that your putter must swing through. Position a golf ball about 6 to 12 inches behind the gate, so when you make a stroke, your putter can pass through the gate without hitting the tees, striking the ball instead.

The objective is to maintain a square putter face and a straight stroke path as you go through the gate. If you hit a tee, it indicates that your stroke went offline. Begin with short putts (4 to 5 feet). Once you can consistently make smooth strokes through the gate, try the drill from different angles or with longer putts.

This drill provides instant feedback—when you hit a tee, it indicates that you need to work on keeping the putter straight. It helps you develop a straight-back, straight-through stroke, which is one common putting technique. While some techniques involve slight arcs, all benefit from a stable face at impact. Even for those who use an arc in their stroke, the gate ensures you’re consistently striking the sweet spot of the putter. Practicing the Gate Drill will lead to more accurate putts on the course by reducing mishits. It’s an excellent accuracy booster for beginners who are learning to control the putter face.

3. The Coin Drill (Chipping Precision)

What it improves: Chipping distance control and landing accuracy.
How to do it: This is a fun one;What It Improves: Chipping distance control and landing accuracy.

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How to Do It: This is a fun exercise that you can even do in your backyard. Take a coin (or a tee or any small target) and toss it onto a chipping area or your lawn a few yards away. The goal is to chip balls that land on or as close as possible to the coin. Start by picking a spot 10–15 feet away for a basic chip and try to have the ball land right on that spot. Once you can do this consistently, move the coin further away or place it in a trickier location (like over a small patch of rough or a bunker, if you’re at a practice green). You can also set multiple coins at various distances and try to hit each one in sequence. you can even do it in your backyard. Take a coin (or a tee, or any small target) and toss it onto a chipping area or your lawn a few yards away. The goal is to chip balls that land on or as close as possible to the coin. Pick a spot 10–15 feet away for a basic chip and try to have the ball land right on that spot. Once you can do that consistently, move the coin further or to a trickier location (over a little patch of rough or bunker, if at a practice green). You can also set multiple coins at various distances and try to hit each one in sequence.

This drill helps you with distance control and focus. By concentrating on a small landing spot, you’ll be able to hit softer and more precise chips, rather than just aiming for the hole. You’ll learn how different swing lengths produce varying carry distances. As you improve, you can also incorporate trajectory by trying to hit some chips higher so they stop quickly, as well as lower bump-and-run shots that still land on the target area. If you practice the Coin Drill regularly, you’ll find it much easier to chip close to the pin on the course, since you’ve trained your eyes and touch to land the ball exactly where you want it. Fewer chunked or bladed chips will lead to lower scores!

4. Alignment Stick Drill (Swing Plane & Takeaway)

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What It Improves: The swing plane, takeaway mechanics, and helps avoid an “over-the-top” move.

How to Do It: Get an alignment stick (or a driveway reflector rod — anything stick-like) and place it in the ground a few feet behind you on the target line, angled slightly away from the ball. The goal is to position the stick so that if you take the club back too steeply or too far inside, you’d hit the stick.

Now, practice making half swings where, during the backswing, you gently bump the stick with your club or hands. This helps ensure a wide and low takeaway.

Another variation is to place a stick or club on the ground along your toe line and practice taking the club back parallel to it for the first few feet.

To improve your downswing and eliminate an over-the-top slice, use a stick as a guide. Place the stick in the ground outside your target line, to the right of the ball (for right-handers), angled back toward your body. If you come over the top during your swing, you will hit the stick; the objective is to avoid the stick by swinging from the inside.

Another effective downswing drill is the “towel under the arm” exercise. Tuck a towel under your lead arm while you swing, as this encourages your arms to drop and promotes an inside swing path.

The alignment stick is a versatile tool that can significantly improve your golf game. This particular drill focuses on the takeaway, ensuring that you start your swing correctly. A low, wide takeaway establishes a solid swing plane for the rest of your swing. By taking the club back properly, you can minimize the need for mid-swing compensations. It’s important to practice this movement slowly and deliberately. When you return to full swings, you’ll notice improved contact and more consistent direction. Many high-handicappers struggle with picking the club up too quickly or pulling it inside; this drill helps correct those issues, leading to more solid strikes.

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5. One-Arm Swing Drill (Tempo & Release)

What it improves: This drill enhances swing coordination, release through impact, and tempo.

How to do it: You can practice this drill with either arm, but a common approach is to focus on the trail arm only (for right-handed golfers, this means using the right arm). Start by taking a 7-iron or any mid-iron and grip it firmly with your right hand. Begin by making some easy half-swings, concentrating on shifting your weight forward and extending your right arm toward the target after impact.

The goal isn’t to hit the ball full distance; rather, this drill is about feeling the correct sequencing of your swing. Without the left hand, you’ll quickly notice if you’re casting (improperly throwing the club from the top of the swing) or maintaining proper form. This one-arm swing emphasizes a later release and encourages proper body rotation to generate power.

After completing several swings or hitting a few balls one-handed (it’s fine if contact isn’t perfect), switch to gripping the club with both hands and swing normally. Focus on replicating the feeling of extending your trail arm through the impact zone.

You can practice left-arm-only swings (lead arm drills), which are excellent for improving tempo and balance. In fact, using a left-arm-only swing with a wedge or short iron is a common drill that promotes a smooth rhythm and encourages a full body turn, rather than merely hitting the ball with your hands. It’s challenging to swing one-handed if you’re not in sync; being too jerky will result in a loss of balance. Therefore, one-arm drills naturally help you develop a more rhythmic swing.

This drill is excellent for correcting an early release or “scooping” when striking the ball. By focusing on training your trail arm to deliver the club, you can avoid the instinct to flip your wrists. A Golf Digest editor with a + handicap shared that practicing right-arm-only swings helped him achieve a proper lag and release, ultimately reducing his handicap by several strokes. If it worked for a low handicapper, it can work for you as well! Start slowly and be patient, as it may feel awkward at first. Soon, you’ll find that your two-handed swing feels much more connected and powerful.

6. Feet-Together Drill (Balance & Ball-Striking)

What it Improves: Balance, center of contact, and sequencing.

How to Do It: This exercise is straightforward. Start by taking your normal stance, then bring your feet all the way together so they are almost touching. Now, try hitting some shots, beginning with half swings. With your feet together, you will find it challenging to shift your weight excessively or make wild movements without losing your balance. The only way to achieve solid contact is through a smooth swing and good rhythm. Focus on maintaining a smooth tempo and a full shoulder turn while staying balanced. If you swing too hard or jerk the club, you will likely lose your balance or make poor contact with the ball.

After some practice, you’ll begin to flush the ball with a compact and controlled swing. This drill also promotes a proper centered strike, as it limits swaying or sliding. As a result, you’re more likely to hit the ball with the club’s sweet spot. Many professionals recommend this drill to players who struggle with consistency. One golfer mentioned, “Hitting balls with my feet together helped me stop duffing a lot,” because it trains you to rotate rather than chop.

Try hitting 10 shots with your feet together, then switch back to your normal stance for another 10 shots, and repeat this sequence. You’ll notice that your normal swing feels more stable and balanced. This drill can also serve as an effective warm-up before your rounds to help you find your tempo. It’s impressive how accurately you can hit the ball when everything is in sync—and that’s precisely what this drill encourages you to achieve.Try hitting 10 shots with your feet together, then switch back to your normal stance for another 10 shots, and repeat this sequence. You’ll notice that your normal swing feels more stable and balanced. This drill can also serve as an effective warm-up before your rounds to help you find your tempo. It’s impressive how accurately you can hit the ball when everything is in sync—and that’s precisely what this drill encourages you to achieve.

7. The Ladder Drill (Distance Control for Wedges)

What It Improves: Feel and control for varying distances (wedge play or even putting).

How to Do It: The “Ladder” drill involves hitting a series of shots that increase in distance, similar to the rungs of a ladder. For wedge play, choose a target or an open area and follow these steps:

Hit a half-swing wedge that travels about 20 yards.
Next, try to hit a shot that goes 30 yards.
After that, aim for 40 yards, then 50 yards, and so on.

Ensure that each shot is a bit longer than the last while using the same club. The challenge here is to control your swing length and power precisely to create evenly spaced distances. If you overshoot your intended distance, start again from the 20-yard shot. You can continue this drill up to your full wedge distance. This exercise builds incredible feel, helping you learn how to adjust your shots on command.

There is also a putting drill known as the “ladder putting drill.” In this exercise, you arrange five balls at increasing distances, such as 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet, and attempt to either two-putt or one-putt each ball consecutively. However, since we’ve already discussed putting with the 3-6-9 drill, let’s focus on wedge techniques here.

Practicing the Ladder Drill helps you understand the difference between a “half swing” and a “three-quarter swing,” among other swing variations. On the golf course, this translates to improved distance control for those tricky in-between shots, such as a 40-yard pitch or a 70-yard approach, which often challenge amateur golfers. Rather than guessing the distance, you can recall the feel from your practice: “I need this shot to go 50 yards, which corresponds to my ladder drill swing number 4.”

One golfer shared that the Ladder Drill “completely transformed” their approach to short-game practice, significantly boosting their confidence in landing the ball close to the pin on difficult partial shots. Consistently hitting your wedges the correct distance leads to closer birdie putts and easier pars.

These are our seven top drills! They focus on a variety of essential skills, including putting accuracy, handling short putt nerves, chipping touch, swing path, release, balance, and distance control. By dedicating practice time to these areas, you’ll be addressing the fundamental aspects of golf that can help lower your scores.

Putting It All Together: Practice Routine Ideas

Now that you have a toolbox filled with drills, how do you incorporate them into practice? Here are a few sample practice routines:

Range Session (1 hour):
- Warm-Up: Start with some half swings to loosen up.
- Feet-Together Drill: Practice this drill for 5–10 balls to enhance your balance.
- Full Swing Technique (15 minutes): Focus on your full swing technique. You might want to incorporate the Alignment Stick Drill and then hit full shots, concentrating on that desired takeaway feeling.
- Short Game: Head to the chipping area and spend 10 minutes on the Coin Drill, aiming for different targets to improve your precision.
- Putting Green: Finally, finish your session on the putting green with the 3-6-9 Drill. Keep practicing until you successfully complete the sequence or for 15 minutes.
- This session covers full swing, chipping, and putting for a well-rounded practice.
At-Home Practice (20–30 minutes): If you have limited space, focus on the fundamentals of your swing. Start with 5 minutes of slow-motion takeaway practice using an alignment stick on the floor, similar to the Alignment Stick Drill.
- If you have a carpeted area, set up a mini Gate Drill for putting—use two books as your “gate” and practice putting a few feet into a cup or just to a designated spot on the carpet.
- Don’t have carpet? Practice the One-Arm Drill with your practice swings; even without a ball, this exercise helps build muscle memory. A mirror can also be useful: use it to check your positions, such as your shoulder turn or finish, while you perform slow swings.

To improve your skills, it’s important to establish a routine that is both consistent and intentional. Practice drills provide a clear objective for each session, which helps accelerate your learning. Additionally, tracking your progress can be beneficial. For example, keep a record of how many putts you make during a 3-6-9 drill or how often you hit a coin while chipping. Challenge yourself to beat your previous records in future practice sessions. This adds a fun competitive element to your training.

Want a full, actionable practice plan? Don’t miss From Range to Green: A Simple, Actionable Practice Routine for New Golfers.

FAQ: Swing Drills and Lowering Your Score

Q: What drills are best for total beginners?
A: If you’re a complete beginner, it’s important to start with simple drills that help build your basic skills. Two great options are the Circle Putting Drill and the Box Drill for chipping.

For the Circle Putting Drill, place 6 to 10 balls in a circle about 3 feet around the hole and try to make all of them. This drill helps build confidence with short putts.

For the Box Drill, set four tees in a square around the hole and aim to chip the ball into that “box” landing area. Both drills are easy to set up and provide immediate feedback, which is essential for beginners.

To work on your full swing, the Feet-Together Drill is a good starting point. This drill focuses on developing balance and achieving a smooth swing.

In summary, for beginners, the top picks are the Circle Drill for putting, the Box Drill for chipping, and the Feet-Together Drill for improving your swing.

Q: How often should I practice these drills to see improvement?
A: Ideally, you should aim to practice drills at least three times a week. Long sessions are not necessary; even 30 minutes can be effective if you dedicate about 10 minutes to various drills. The key is consistency. Experts suggest that a regular practice schedule—such as every other day—will yield better results than infrequent, lengthy sessions. If possible, incorporate drills into each practice session. For instance, when you go to the range, spend the first 15 minutes on a drill (like one-arm swings or using alignment sticks) before moving on to full shots. Similarly, during your putting practice, end with a game-like drill (like 3-6-9 or ladder putting). After a few weeks, you should notice improved ball striking and increased confidence on the course. Remember, even professional players dedicate a portion of their practice time to drills, highlighting their importance.

Q: Can I do these drills at home?
A: Yes! Many drills can be adapted for at-home practice. For putting, you can do the Gate Drill or Circle Drill on a carpet or even a smooth floor (use a cup or a coin as your target hole). For swing drills, you can do practice swings for the Feet-Together or One-Arm Drill in your backyard or living room (maybe without a ball to avoid breaking any lamps!). The Alignment Stick takeaway drill is easy to do indoors: use a club and a visual line on the floor (edge of a carpet or tile line) to check your club’s path. If you have foam balls or a soft practice ball, you can chip indoors to a target (a couch or a bucket). Also, mirror work is fantastic: practice your swing in slow motion in front of a mirror to check positions – for instance, halfway back, the club should be parallel to the ground and pointing along your target line (you can mark that position and rehearse it). The bottom line is you don’t always need a range to improve. Many golfers have significantly bettered their swing in the comfort of home by doing drills and thoughtful practice. Just be safe and use common sense (maybe avoid full drivers in the living room!).

Q: My swing feels worse when I try drills – what am I doing wrong?
A: It’s completely normal for your swing to feel off when you start practicing new drills. You’re training your body to adopt a new motor pattern, which can feel awkward at first. Stick with it for a few sessions, and you’ll likely find that the movement becomes more comfortable and begins to show benefits.

Make sure you understand the goal of each drill. For instance, during the one-arm drill, if you try to hit the ball as hard as usual, you’re likely to mess up the shot. The purpose of the drill is to make slow, controlled swings to build coordination. Remember, focus on the purpose of the drill rather than the immediate result of the shots.

After completing the drill, assess your normal swing for improvements. If a drill consistently makes your performance worse, even after some practice, check to see if you’re doing it correctly—maybe consult a coach or watch tutorial videos. It could also be that you need a different drill that addresses your specific issues.

Overall, experiencing some initial difficulties is expected; it indicates that you are stepping out of your comfort zone, which is essential for improvement. Be patient and keep the end goal in mind.

Q: What area of my game should I focus on to lower my handicap the fastest?
A: The common advice is to prioritize your short game—putting and chipping. There’s a reason for the saying, “Drive for show, putt for dough.” By reducing three-putts and converting more up-an-downs (chipping and then making a putt), you can see a quick drop in your scores. High handicappers can save 5 to 10 strokes simply by improving their performance around the greens

Investing time in drills like the 3-6-9 putting drill and the coin chipping drill can significantly improve your game. However, don’t underestimate the importance of tee shots. Errant drives can lead to penalties and lost balls, which can severely impact your score. If you find it challenging to keep the ball in play, focus on swing drills that promote a straighter shot. Using an alignment stick or practicing the tee drill can help improve your swing path.

In summary, most players should structure their practice time as follows: allocate about 40% for putting and chipping, and the remaining time to achieving consistency in your full swing, particularly focusing on eliminating slices and major mishits. Utilize the drills in this guide to work on both aspects. Identify your greatest weakness—whether it’s three-putting, chunked chips, or slicing your driver—and start with drills that specifically target that issue. As you make progress in these areas, you will likely see a decrease in your handicap.

By including these drills in your practice routine, you’ll be training like the pros and elite amateurs—with purpose and focus. While it may not always feel as immediately enjoyable as hitting driver after driver, trust us: experiencing a drop in your handicap and hearing the satisfying “pop” of solid contact more frequently is incredibly rewarding in the long run.

Lowering your handicap is a journey. Stay committed to the process, celebrate your small improvements, and don’t hesitate to seek advice from coaches or more experienced players if you find yourself at a plateau. With consistent effort on these drills, you’ll develop better habits and a more reliable swing. Before long, you’ll step onto the course feeling confident in your ability to handle any shot because you’ve practiced it through drills. So get out there and enjoy the grind! Your scores will improve, and you’ll enjoy the game more than ever. Happy practicing, and I look forward to seeing you in the single-digit handicap club!

Proven Golf Swing Drills For Beginners