Practising golf efficiently: range sessions, short game and playing nine holes

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Hitting a large bucket of balls with a driver feels like practice, but it rarely lowers scores. Efficient practice means spending time where most shots are played and making the range feel more like the course. This guide shows how to structure your time.

Where the shots are

In a typical beginner's round, a large number of strokes are played within about 100 metres of the green: chips, pitches, bunker shots and putts. The driver is used at most once per hole. A practice plan that reflects this will usually improve scores faster than one built around long shots.

Before you practise

Have one goal per session. For example, solid contact with a 7 iron, or getting chips to finish within a short distance of the hole.
Warm up gently. Loosen up with some stretches and short swings before full shots.
Take a lesson if possible. Practising a fault only makes it stronger. A coach can give you one or two clear priorities.

Structuring a range session

Start with wedges. Half swings build rhythm and contact.
Work on technique in blocks. Hit several balls with the same club, concentrating on one thing, such as the grip or the takeaway. Use alignment sticks or a club on the ground to check your aim.
Then switch to random practice. Change club and target every shot, as you would on the course. Go through your pre-shot routine each time.
Play an imaginary hole. Hit a driver, then pick the club you would need for the second shot, then a wedge.
Finish with a few good shots so you leave with confidence.

Take your time between shots. Ten deliberate shots teach more than fifty rushed ones.

Short game practice

Chipping: use a few clubs, such as a pitching wedge and a 9 iron, and see how the ball rolls with each. Pick a landing spot rather than staring at the hole.
Pitching: practise half and three-quarter swings and note how far each one goes. A simple clock system, with swings to set positions, helps.
Bunkers: if the practice bunker is open, work on splashing out the sand rather than hitting the ball. Rake the bunker after you finish.
Up and down game: drop a ball in a random spot around the green and try to get down in two. Keep a score.

Putting practice

Short putts for confidence and technique.
Long putts for pace, aiming to stop the ball near the hole.
Pressure games: try to hole a set number in a row before you are allowed to leave.

Playing nine holes

Nothing replaces the course. Many clubs offer cheaper twilight or nine-hole rates.

Play two balls on quiet evenings if the course allows, to practise from different positions.
Play from forward tees to get more chances to hit shorter approaches and to keep pace.
Record simple stats: fairways hit, greens hit, number of putts and chips. After a few rounds you will see where shots are going.
Respect others. If you are practising with extra balls on the course, let faster groups play through.

Practising at home

Putt on carpet or a practice mat.
Swing drills without a ball, in front of a mirror, to check positions.
Strength and flexibility work for the hips, core and shoulders supports a better swing. If you have pain or an existing injury, speak to a physiotherapist before starting a new exercise programme.

A sample weekly plan

One range session focused on contact and one technical goal.
One short-game and putting session.
One nine-hole round where you focus only on routine and decisions, not technique.

How do you split your practice time? Share your routine in the comments.