How To Practice Golf At Home [Ultimate Indoor Golfing Guide]

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Stuck indoors and not sure how to practice golf at home? Well, you’ve come to the right place if you love to play golf, have limited time to practice, and are tired of embarrassing yourself. Can practicing golf at home really help? Absolutely. I did it, and I can show you how.

I went from stressing about breaking 100 to scoring in the eighties in two short golf seasons. Not to mention, I lived in a cold climate, and the only way to get better at golf was to practice golf at home. 

First, I have a question for you. What is the goal of golf anyway? Remember, standing on the tee, everyone has the same goal. Get the ball into the hole in as few shots as possible without embarrassing mishits. I know you want to hit the ball far and in bounds

I want that for you too, but don’t you want to shoot lower scores? Hitting the ball far does not guarantee pars and birdies. Skill around the green lowers your score, and practicing at home is a secret weapon.


User Guide

With an iron (not a wood) use this Impact Bag to help you develop a sturdy trailing leg, a proper swing path, a good weight shift technique to the lead leg, and the correct impact hand positions. Take a swing, connect with the bag (not too hard please!), hold, and review your impact. You may also rest this bag against the inside of your back leg (against the calf) to practice weight transfer and make sure it doesn’t pull away on the backswing and then compress with the calf on the downswing. This feeling can then be transferred over to hitting your golf balls. Use the Impact Bag this way, and you will find it to be very helpful, I love it!


How to Practice Golf At Home the COMPLETE Guide

There is no way around it. The fastest way to master golf starts with the shortest stick in your bag, your putter. Spending just 10 minutes three times a week practicing your putting will shock your golf buddies next summer.

The beauty of the short game is that the swings are small, and there is little room for error compared to the full swing. Start right there, preferably 12 to 18 inches from the hole.

You want to establish your Slam Dunk Never Miss Zone. Even if it is only 12 inches, it is still – YOUR never miss zone. Practice 12-inch putts until you make five in a row, ten for extra credit. The ultimate goal is making five in a row from three feet.

To transfer your indoor putting practice to the golf course, the surface you putt on is critically important. If you have a good grade of indoor/outdoor carpeting, that is a good start. A roll of duct tape to create your putting games, and you are good to go.

Duct tape? Putting Games? Yes. What I know for sure is that when your practice is not fun, it is not sustainable. Making a game out of your indoor practices works better. The proof is on the scorecard.

Oh, one last thing. To lower your handicap even faster, add a bit of competition to the mix. Why not invite a buddy over for indoor putting contests? That’s always fun and great for your game!


How To Practice Putting at Home (Foolproof Putting Games)

Oftentimes, the best way to practice putting at home is with a putting mat. They’re good investments that can really get you engaged with golf indoors while making good use of your indoor practices. However, if you’re not looking for the typical putting practice with a putting mat, here are some fun drills to really improve your putting.

  • Duct Tape Game: Keep the ball rolling on the target line straight through the stroke. Put a three-foot strip of duct tape on the floor. Your goal is to keep the ball on the tape. Go for five in a row, then use a four-foot strip of tape.
  • D Battery Game: Gives instant feedback if putter blade is misaligned through the hitting zone. Set up a battery on the duct tape strip. Using the D battery in place of a ball, stroke through and keep the battery rolling straight down the strip. 
  • Blind Man’s Bluff: The purpose is to build confidence, feel and trust in your stroke. Set up five balls 18 to 24 inches around the target. Go around the circle, set up normally, then close your eyes and putt. Go for five in a row, then increase the length of the putt.
  • Hand Behind Your Back Game: Build trust in the club and overcome steering. Set balls in a circle 18 inches from the hole/target. Set up normally, place one hand behind your back, and putt one-handed. Try it with your other hand on your back. Work toward making three in a row with each hand.
  • Eye on The Target Game: Get more confident with short putts. Start with 18 to 24-inch putts and set five balls in a circle around the hole/target once again. Set up as usual and right before you putt, turn your head to see the hole. Notice the sound of the ball falling into the cup as you watch.
  • SECRET WEAPON for Killer Putting Feel: Shoot pool. No kidding. Playing billiards or pool provides excellent training in finesse and square ball contact. Put a little money on the game and you practice keeping your cool under pressure. Plus it is just fun.

How to Practice Chipping at Home

The chipping stroke is similar to a putt, your lead hand stays in the lead, and the clubhead does not pass the handle of the club.

The goal is to hit a low approach shot that lofts the ball a short distance, with most of the shot rolling on the green. These chipping games are great for practicing hand position and ball contact while chipping.

  • Ping Pong Ball Drill – Set yourself up 8 to ten feet from an empty wall. The end of a hallway works well for this drill. Use a narrow stance, pull your lead foot back a bit, and put 60% of your weight on your forward foot. When you chip the ball in good form, it bounces right back to you. Mishits give you instant feedback.
  • Putting With Fairway Wood – Choke up on your fairway wood, open your stance slightly by pulling your lead foot back, and practice putting 10-foot putts. This is a great shot to have in your bag, especially when your ball is on the fringe and the cup is across the green. You can also use this shot when your ball is in deep grass close to the green.

How to Practicing Golf Alignment at Home

Alignment props are the most logical way to prep yourself for great shot-making. Luckily you can use your golf clubs or your handy duct tape to set up a “stance map” to get the feel for being square at address. This position is true for every club in your bag.

  • Always start by standing from behind and laying the first club/stick so it points to your target. Then lay the second guide parallel to the target line and step into place.
how to practice golf alignment at home
Notice that the target line is parallel to the foot line.
Many golfers line their feet up on a line pointing to the target. 
It may not “feel” correct to be in alignment at first.
  • As you can see from the illustration above, the target line is always parallel to your foot line. Step into the same position, then go outside and practice with distant targets.
  • SPECIAL NOTE: Once you are back outside practicing or playing, ask one of your golf buddies to stand behind you to check on your targeting skills. You only need one skill. As a beginner, once you learn what the target looks like when you are in the correct position, your confidence in the course will thrive.

How to Practice Golf Posture at Home

Do you top the ball or even whiff now and then? Have you ever heard the phrase, “Keep your head down?” I bet you have, and I imagine you have tried really hard to keep your head down.

Well, guess what? Your head is not the problem! The problem is your body position. If you lose the hip tilt during your swing, you are lifting yourself away from good ball contact. Practice these three drills to help you stay down and hit solid shots.

how to practice golf posture at home
The golf stance is simple. Start standing tall, shoulders back.
Tilt forward from the hips, back straight but not stiff,
Flex your knees, and weight on the balls of your feet.
  • Chair Drill – One of the best golf training aids you can use is a chair or bench. Take your stance (see above illustration), placing a chair back as a feedback tool. As you turn into your backswing position, you will instantly feel if you lift out of position.
  • Duct Tape Drill – Take your golf stance and place an 18-inch piece of duct tape between your lead leg and your lower rib cage. The goal is to turn your body into the backswing position keeping the tape in place.
  • Head on Wall Drill – Step into your address position so that your head touches a wall. Cross your arms across your chest and turn into your backswing position. Maintain head contact with the wall as you turn.

How to Practice Your Golf Swing Wrist Action

how to practice wrist action at home

Luckily you do not have to hit golf balls to learn how to release the club without flipping. Beginners are notorious for the early release of the wrists. Once the trailing hand (lower hand on the grip) jumps too early and takes the lead, you have zero chance of a pure golf shot.

Slow motion and positional drills are golden when you practice golf at home, you will hit solid shots, and your scorecard will tell the tale. Your indoor practice goal is to learn the correct wrist action six inches before and six inches after impact.

Let’s get you ready for longer and straighter shots right now. 

  • Freeze Action Drill – Take a look at the illustration above. Notice the lead hand (closest to the top) Notice how the hands come through before the clubhead. Holding the trailing hand hinge is the key to hitting long and far. Stand in front of a mirror with this image at hand. Duplicate the position before and after impact in slow motion.
  • Weighted Golf Club Drill – Using a club with an extra heavy clubhead is great for teaching how it feels when the trailing hand unhinges at the right time. You can buy inexpensive weights designed for this purpose. You can also hold two clubs as you take a practice swing to get the feel. 
  • Upside-down Practice Swing – Once you are used to the feeling of holding your trailing hand hinge in slow motion, try this cool drill. Hold your golf club upside down so that you are gripping the shaft right next to club head. Take a few practice swings. Listen for a “whoosh” in the impact zone, that’s your sign that you are in position.

Do I need Equipment To Practice Golf At Home

An impact bag helps you practice your wrist action plus helps you clear your hips so you can swing freely. In the impact zone, aim for getting 75% of your weight on your forward foot (left foot if you are a right-handed golfer, your hips ) as your club hits the bag.

When you are ready to add to your home practice equipment, get an official Golf Practice Net and Mat Kit. Then you will have all you need to practice your full swing and your longer irons and woods at home. 

The best indoor putting mat for home practice we have found is the PERFECT PRACTICE Putting Mat. With two holes, one half-size, and at 9′ 6″ long, and the crystal velvet putting surface mimics the roll you get on the greens. The PERFECT PRACTICE Putting mat also includes lines and markings to check your aim and alignment. The automatic ball return is definitely a plus.

User Guide

With an iron (not a wood) use this Impact Bag to help you develop a sturdy trailing leg, a proper swing path, a good weight shift technique to the lead leg, and the correct impact hand positions. Take a swing, connect with the bag (not too hard please!), hold, and review your impact. You may also rest this bag against the inside of your back leg (against the calf) to practice weight transfer and make sure it doesn’t pull away on the backswing and then compress with the calf on the downswing. This feeling can then be transferred over to hitting your golf balls. Use the Impact Bag this way, and you will find it to be very helpful, I love it!


How Can I Practice Golf in my Backyard

Most houses have a backyard and many golfers enjoy equipping their backyards with golf swing nets for their home practices. In my opinion, is an excellent way to practice your golf swing and ball impact. Besides that, most backyards are generally a good place for practicing your chipping, just make sure not to make a mess!


The Verdict: How to Practice Golf At Home

Do you have a love-hate relationship with golf? Welcome to the club. Missing a 10-inch putt or skulling a chip shot over the green can be excruciating. 

Learning how to play golf step by step is the best way to stop embarrassing yourself on the golf course. Smart beginners build a golf swing in the off-season. Practicing golf at home is the rookie golfer’s secret weapon. Do you need a portable golf simulator? No. All you need is an action plan to improve your game and a burning desire to shoot lower scores.

There is no shame in being a rookie. Everyone has to start somewhere. Practicing golf indoors made it possible for me to drop my handicap from 33 to 7 and shock my friends. Follow my lead, commit yourself to shaving 10 strokes off your score, and make a plan for how you can practice golf at home. 

Like what you read? You will find more score saving golf ideas in these popular posts:

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Author
Catherine is a Short Game Coach, Master Motivator, and Peak Performance Geek on a mission to make golf less embarrassing for beginning golfers. Known for spending more time practicing than playing, her claim to fame is dropping her handicap from 33 to single digits in two seasons. When Catherine is not writing golf tips, she hikes with her dogs, creates acrylic paintings, and reads Tarot Cards. Her favorite golfer of the moment is Lydia Ko, who lives unapologetically and leads by example. Golf career highlight: Meeting Arnold Palmer.

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