There are 7 ideas that I have utilized to help me play better golf and how to improve my game in my own backyard. These include:
- Short game practice competitions
- The low point control drill
- Hitting into a net
- Practice putting on a real green or artificial green
- Train for more speed in your swing
- Improve your tempo and rhythm
- Work on your mechanics
Are you addicted to the game of golf?
Do you find yourself swinging the air golf club at work, home or even went out and about?
I know that I do.
Golf is an awesome game. The challenge to get better can be difficult. There are so many things to get better at. Everyone could be a better driver, iron player, short game or manage their emotions better.
It is a continuous journey to get better and play our best golf.
While we may never perfect the game, the journey is rewarding and worth it. The fun times that come from shooting quality scores, beating your buddies, or posting a quality score in a journey are priceless.
Many golfers are willing to put in the time to get better!
One option is the backyard.
Even with limited space there are ways to practice our golf games in our backyard
How Often Should I Practice Golf?
How Often Should I Practice Golf?. The great thing about the backyard is it doesn’t take travel time and doesn’t cost any money once you are set up with some of the basics.
Below, I will give you 7 ideas that I have used to improve my own golf game. I have been able to reduce my average golf scores by 4 shots from an average of around 76 to an average around 72.
My range is still around 10 shots, but now that range is between 68-78, compare to 72 to 82 in the past.
How To Practice Golf In The Backyard?
Idea 1: Short game practice competitions
Most people have enough space to be able to chip some simple shots. I don’t believe someone can ever chip too much. The feel that you can develop and understand distances and getting better from different lies will benefit you greatly the next time you are able to head to the course.
As a junior golfer growing up, my access to practice areas was limited, the only option I had was my backyard and the occasional time at the putting green.
As a result, I practiced my short game chip shots all of the time. I couldn’t hit the ball much longer than 220 yards as a young kid, but could shoot in the 70s because of my short game touch.
Simply grab a bucket or a simple chipping golf net and set it up in the middle of the yard. Hit shots from different distances, practicing with different clubs and lofts to find what you are most comfortable with.
The great thing about having a quality short game is that it frees up your full swing and takes the pressure off. If you know that you can get up and down 50% of the time, even if you miss every green in regulation, you will have a chance to shoot in the 70s.
Golf is a great game and the quickest way to get better is to practice your short game and become a great chipper and pitcher of the golf ball!
The cost of this idea is $0. Which makes it even better if you are on a budget!
Idea 2: The low point control drill
If you are someone that struggles with solid ball contact, the first step is to improve your low point control of the golf club. This is where your club strikes the ground. The best golfers are able to hit their intended spot 99.9% of the time.
While the worse golfers might have a range of a foot or two. Sometimes they will strike well behind the ball and sometimes they might not even strike the ground.
Here is a drill you can utilize in your backyard:
- Use some yard paint and paint a line about 1-2 yards long.
- Go ahead and get some foam golf balls.
- Place a foam golf ball on the line.
- Go ahead and hit the foam ball and check where your divot begins.
- The goal is to have your divot start on the target side of the line.
- Repeat this drill for 20 times to assess your ability.
Continue to use this drill as frequently as possibly until you can do it 19 times out of 20 with success. Keep working and controlling that bottom point.
Quick Tip: If you are struggling with this drill, try setting up with 60% of the weight on your front leg, maintaining that weight throughout the swing. Where your weight is has an impact on where the club will strike the ground.
Cost is minimum for this. You may need to purchase some foam golf balls and yard paint.
Idea #3: Hitting into a net
You want to make sure you have a quality net. The goal here is to get a high number of repetitions in. In order to get really good at golf, we must hit thousands of shots.
Having a net in your backyard and working on solid contract and start line is really important to improving in golf and can help you reach your full potential.
Some people may choose to utilize a hitting mat, depending on the grass in your backyard. The key here is to make sure you pick a target on the next and try to hit that spot. Work on your pre shot routine, your aim and your overall ball contact
To take this to the next level, consider adding a launch monitor to your tools to improve. I purchased a SkyTrak Launch Monitor several years ago, which was when I saw the fastest growth in my game.
The feedback on the direction, speed, spin and launch angle was very beneficial.
I am able to play real courses through pairing with The Golf Club (TGC) software and playing real courses. You can keep it as simple as the SkyTrak and a net if you want to hit shots into the net and work as if it was a driving range.
You can go all out like I did and build it all out and add a mat, enclosure/impact screen, gaming computer, and projector.
Regardless of what you decide to do, there are some options in the launch monitor.
If SkyTrak (check price here) is too much money, consider a lesser option in the Mevo (check price here). You can check the price here.
Overall the feedback from a launch monitor can take your practice session to the next level. A simple net and Mevo can be a real game changer. You can know your ball speed, spin rate, start line and other key information to groove your swing and to make it better!
The cost starts to increase between the net, met, and potential launch monitor. The return on investment can be big for your game improvement.
Here are some additional posts I have created over the years that could be helpful!
Idea #4: Practice putting on a real green or artificial green
Growing up, one my buddies had a putting green in his backyard. We spent many hours chipping shots and putting on the green.
In today’s golf world, there are synthetic greens that you can have installed, you can build an actual green with the right grass seed and mower, or you can buy just a strip of turf and utilize that in the yard.
The key is to practice those 3-10 footers and be able to groove a stroke that works for you. There are many options and they can be costly, but finding a way to practice the putting at home is important!
The cost could be really expensive if you go all out or relatively inexpnesive for something simple.
Idea #5: Train for more speed in your swing
Train for Speed – The key to lower scores.
Regardless of your current ability level or swing speed, we could all use additional speed.
This speed drill below will also help you improve your swing mechanics. It is worth checking it out regardless of your current ability level. The swing mechanic improvement along with the additional distance will help your game!
This can all be done in your backyard. You simply need enough space to swing a golf club. This is the ultimate at home training and one where you can see immediate results. You have your swing radar there to monitor your progress!
Let’s face it, regardless of the current state of your game we all want more speed. It has become very clear the need for speed in the golf swing and there are ways to add speed! The analytics on all levels of golf show how important speed and additional speed are in reducing golf scores.
It is time to start training for some additional speed. This is a drill and training protocol that I would highly recommend.
SPEED DRILL: Increase your swing speed through overspeed training
- Check out SuperSpeed Overspeed Training Protocols
- Train every other day for 10-15 minutes.
- See a 4-6% increase in swing speed as early as the first training protocol.
The number one thing that has helped me gain significant distance is the SuperSpeed Training System. This overspeed based system where you train every other day for about 10-15 minutes with different swing sticks can help you increase your swing speed by 5-8% which can be 20-30 yards. Who wouldn’t want an extra 20-30 yards. Plus it helps improve your mechanics.
SuperSpeed Golf – Use Discount Code Golfjourney365 for some savings!
The analytics are pretty clear on the importance of speed in the game of golf. Would you rather hit your approach shot from 130 yards of 160 yards?
The answer is pretty simple! We know that over the course of time, we will hit shots from 130 yards much closer than from 160 yards, whether we are an average amateur golfer, a scratch golfer, or a PGA Tour member!
The key is having shorter approach shots, so we can hit the ball closer to the hole and then make more putts! Speed is king in the game of golf! Make sure you check out SuperSpeed Golf!
Idea #6: Improve your tempo and rhythm
I would highly recommend the Orange Whip. it is a quality product that you can help you become more fluid in your swing and utilize the clubhead through the hitting zone.
If you want a smooth, silky swing, the Orange Whip might be exactly that you are looking. The benefits of simply swinging each day and working on tempo and your sequencing can be the difference. This product can be very good if you only play once a week or maybe even less.
Ever get that feeling on the first tee like you haven’t played the game in a year? You can lose that feeling if you take 5 minutes a day and swing the Orange Whip in your backyard!
Idea #7: Work on your mechanics
I would highly recommend checking out one of the golf instructors that I have reviewed. Pick out and go with the instructor that best aligns with your swing and communication style.
Stay committed, learn as much as your can and work to improve your mechanics.
The great thing about playing golf in this era is that we have access to some of the brightest minds in golf and the best communicators. They are able to make it cereal and easy to understand and apply.
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
Once you have identified who is your go to golf instructors, learn as much as possible and record your progress along the way.
Of course, it would be helpful to have at a minimum a hitting mat and hitting net, but this can even be accomplished with foam or wiffle balls in the backyard.
Final Thoughts
The key is to do something. Find a way to get better. One of the most difficult aspects of golf is that we do not get better just from playing every year. We must be strategic in our game improvement and have a plan to get better.
Golf is a difficult game, but you should focus on the three fundmeants. The first one is controlling your low point in the swing, the second one is controlling your start line and curve and the third one is having enough speed to play the game.
All three of these fundamentals are covered somewhere in the 7 ideas listed above. Are you ready to play your best golf this season?
Take action today!
