Backyard drills

[rasky44]

I'm looking for some drills that would be beneficial for all golfers.  I don't have any video of my swing, so I'm not going to diagnose myself or expect anyone else to.  What I'm looking for are some good all around drills that groove a good golf swing.  I'm already thinking about working on having a consistent bottom of the swing (trying to start divots on the target side of line drawn in the grass) and chipping in the yard.  Anything else you can think of is appreciated.  I won't be able to hit balls other than the chipping and I'm not afraid to take divots all over the yard.  Thanks for any input.

[squaddie]

Here's a cheap and easy backyard drill for taking a divot:  Place a leaf on the ground in front of where you would place a ball.  Line up your club with the leaf, leaving room for a ball, and take a swing.  You should be able to take a divot beginning where the leaf is, implying you would hit the ball before the ground.

If no leaves then you can use a business card to mark where the club should divot, and be able to pick the biz card off the ground (in front of where the ball would be).

[14ledo81]

I can perform this drill properly 10 times out of 10. In fact, when a ball is not there I can make the pivot move very far forward. My problem is when I put a ball down, I start hitting it fat. Is this a pooor focus point? Any help would be appreciated.

[rasky44]

From my limited experience I say that you are hitting at the ball instead of through it.  My problem right now is that I can't even take a divot when there is no ball.

[slabm7]

The best backyard drill I use cost 3 bucks, go buy a hula hoop. Put it 20ft away from you and practice chipping the ball and landing it in the hoop. Don't try and stop the ball in the hoop but just land in and let it bounce out.

[BostonSully]

I was thinking about starting this exact same thread. Ive started doing a bit of a backyard chipping drill that is harder than it looks but has allready paid off on the course for me.

I have clothesline pole in my yard that is the shape of a "T". Its about 8 feet ft tall.

I place the ball 6-8ft behind it and with my 60* LB I work on lobbing balls up and over the top part of the "T" shape as if it were like kicking a field goal but yet having the ball land having only traveled a few feet actually past the clothesline pole. So your basically just working a nice smooth lobbing motion with good contact to eliminate skulling balls around the green when a lob is necessary.

[jbc311]

I'm not sure that practicing taking a divot for the sake of taking a divot is a very effective way to practice.  Without a more specific goal in mind, like delivering the club to the ground in a particular way, it could even be destructive.  You may find it promotes compensations that cause you to take a beautiful divot in just the right spot, but aren't worth a crap for hitting a ball.  As my swing has progressed I have taken huge divots with awful swings, and no little or no divot with swings that are pretty good.  I don't mean to be negative, just saying I'd be cautious to make those sorts of adjustments without good guidance and a proper understanding of why you want to take a divot.

You may consider buying a net.  They're pretty cheap and at least you can practicing matching good contact with good divots.

[NI4NI]

My kids' sandbox makes for a wonderful bunker, but the sand does not, for the most part, mimic my area golf courses' bunkers (sandox sand is much "fluffier" - more like sugar).

[rasky44]

I guess my explanation was a little off.  I didn't mean to take a divot just for the sake of taking a divot.  I was looking more to be more consistent with the low point in my swing.  Today I may hit the ball really fat then tomorrow hit them thin.  I aim to cut down on the inconsistency of the low point.  I plan on hitting alot of balls at the range, just looking for some things to do around the house.  Today I used the sand spot in my yard where my kids' pool goes up in the summer.  Just drawing circles in it for chipping targets.  A net sounds like it may be a good purchase for me.  Thanks all, keep em coming.

[In the woods]

There is no need to buy a net. Just simply find a way to hang up an old sheet when you feel like hitting a few. Works well for me and a couple of people that I know. In this economy who wouldn't like to save the money spent on a net?

[jryder]

Hanging up a sheet?????? GENIUS

[metbid]

I can perform this drill properly 10 times out of 10. In fact, when a ball is not there I can make the pivot move very far forward. My problem is when I put a ball down, I start hitting it fat. Is this a pooor focus point? Any help would be appreciated.

I find if I am hitting fat, it helps to change my focus, and an easy way to do that is pick out a spot in front of the ball, then swing through that spot, basically ignoring the ball.  Usually no more than an inch in front is good.  Sticking a tee flush in the ground is one idea.

[Dave325]

i personally love practicing in my backyard.... I work from home and when I take a break, there is a pile of solid plastic balls sitting in the corner of the yard. I have just enough distance in my yard to hit a full 8 iron.

[dennyjones]

I work on my chipping by hitting shots from one side of the driveway to the other.   I try to keep within 6' either side.