How many of you feel like the time you spend on the golf course (when it’s not a tournament) can be a bit repetitive and often times not very productive? It’s easy to run out and play 9 holes or maybe 18 and not really have much focus or accountability to what you are doing. Then a tournament rolls around and all of the sudden the bad shots have consequences, you have to actually hit that shot from under the trees and you have to putt out every single putt (no gimmies).

Take the time when you are on the golf course to learn how to play and be creative. Try different shots from out of trees or off bad lies. Hit shots with different trajectories. Compete against others. Anything that makes you treat the time on the golf course as you would during a tournament or as a chance to try new things that you can’t do on the practice facilities but that you may face in tournaments.

Here are a few games and drills you can do when you’re on the golf course:

  • Play worst ball and keep score
  • Play with only 3 or 4 clubs
  • Play a match against someone better than you
  • Play without your laser/range finder
  • Play without calculating any yardages
  • Repeat each short game shot around the green until you get it up and down
  • Make yourself smile before and after every shot