Shooting balls into darkness all winter is pointless. Fabian Bünker presents five exciting alternatives to improve your game.
Knowing that not all golfers can invest much time in their golf training, here are five long-game training tips you can apply at any driving range, even with limited time.
1. Evaluate the Quality of Your Shots
Take 30 balls. Hit each ball with a different club to a different target. Before each shot, perform a routine as you would on the course or even better, in a tournament. After the shot, rate its quality on a scale from 1 (very good) to 6 (poor). You will notice your concentration improving, as nobody wants to give themselves bad scores.
2. Tai Chi Swing Practice
This exercise demands high concentration and a calm environment. Perform your golf swing and especially the parts you wish to change in extreme slow motion. This lets you feel each movement distinctly and consciously control it. Often, closing your eyes helps to strengthen the inner image of the motion. Experts can time their Tai Chi golf swing precisely, even holding it for 30 seconds to a minute.
Do this drill at home without a ball (or with practice balls if you have space). It’s also great for the driving range, where you can gradually increase tempo following a 30-60-90% speed rule: start slow, then build up to 90%. Avoid 100% speed shots on the course as control is lost.
Key tips for Tai Chi tempo swing:
• Give clear, precise movement instructions to yourself
• Focus on one aspect (e.g., first part of backswing)
• Find a quiet place (turn off your phone)
• Get external feedback (coach)
• Begin with swings without ball
3. Practice the Draw Shot
A draw is a ball flight curving from right to left. The ball starts slightly right of the target line, then curves back left toward the target. To hit a draw, swing the club from inside to outside (feel like swinging the club far right of the target). The clubface should be slightly closed relative to the swing path. If you tend to slice, this drill will help counter that.
4. Practice the Fade Shot
Also practice hitting a fade, which curves left to right. Simply reverse the draw mechanics: swing from outside to inside with a slightly open clubface relative to the swing path.
Neither draw nor fade technique tips are given here since adjustments depend on individual swings. If you struggle to hit either shot consistently, book a lesson with a pro who can tailor advice to you.
5. Focus on Specific Body Parts
While you may have golf lessons and want to stabilize your swing over winter, solo technique practice can be challenging without visual feedback. Although smartphones allow swing recording, analysis is tough for amateurs due to suboptimal angles.
Instead, focus exclusively on one body part, e.g., the left wrist. Hit balls concentrating solely on how that part moves and feels during the swing, blocking other thoughts. Ideally, focus on an aspect you and