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How to Practice Golf

Learn How to Practice With Purpose, Not Just Hit Golf Balls

​Many golfers spend hours on the driving range but see little improvement on the golf course. The reason is simple—they're practicing without a plan.

 

At Critters Golf, we believe that improvement comes from building better habits, not hitting more golf balls. Every practice session should have a purpose that develops your fundamentals, reinforces good habits, and prepares you for real golf situations.

Whether you're a beginner learning the game or an experienced golfer trying to lower your scores, learning how to practice golf is one of the fastest ways to improve.

Build Better Habits. Play Better Golf.

Why Most Golf Practice Doesn't Work

Many golfers:

  • Hit driver after driver without a target.

  • Practice only the clubs they enjoy.

  • Never work on fundamentals.

  • Ignore the short game.

  • Rarely practice putting.

  • Never simulate playing the golf course.

  • Judge practice by how many balls they hit instead of what they learned.

Practice should prepare you to play golf—not simply make you tired.

The Critters Golf Practice Formula

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1. Start With the Fundamentals

Before making a swing, check:

  • Proper golf grip

  • Athletic posture

  • Balanced stance

  • Correct alignment

  • Ball position

The golf swing begins before the club ever moves.

These fundamentals influence every shot you'll hit.

Practice With a Purpose

Don't randomly hit balls.

Instead, choose one objective.

Examples include:

  • Better contact

  • Improved alignment

  • Straighter ball flight

  • Better tempo

  • More consistent distance control

One goal per practice session produces better results than trying to fix everything at once.

Practice Every Club

Avoid hitting only your favorite club.

A balanced practice session should include:

  • Wedges

  • Short irons

  • Mid irons

  • Long irons or hybrids

  • Fairway woods

  • Driver

Each club teaches different skills.

Practice Like You're Playing

Instead of hitting ten shots with the same club:

Imagine playing an actual hole.

For example:

  • Driver

  • 7 Iron

  • Wedge

  • Chip

  • Putt

Go through your full pre-shot routine before every shot.

This helps transfer range success to the golf course.

Finish With the Short Game

Most golfers lose strokes around the green—not on the driving range.

Spend at least half your practice time on:

  • Chipping

  • Pitching

  • Bunker shots

  • Distance wedges

  • Putting

This is where scores are lowered.

A Simple 60-Minute Golf Practice Plan

Warm-Up (10 Minutes)

  • Stretch

  • Make easy swings

  • Hit short wedge shots

  • Build rhythm

Never begin with your driver.

Fundamentals (10 Minutes)

Check:

  • Grip

  • Posture

  • Alignment

  • Ball position

  • Balance

Hit slow, controlled swings.

Full Swing Practice (20 Minutes)

Practice with different clubs.

Example:

  • PW

  • 8 Iron

  • 6 Iron

  • Hybrid

  • Driver

Focus on quality over quantity.

Short Game (15 Minutes)

Practice:

  • Chips

  • Pitch shots

  • Different landing spots

  • Distance wedges

Change targets often.

Putting (5 Minutes)

Work on:

  • Short putts (3–6 feet)

  • Mid-range putts

  • Long lag putts

  • Distance control

Never leave the practice green without making several short putts.

Practice Drills That Build Better Golf

  • Target Practice Drill

Instead of aiming at the middle of the range:

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Pick a specific target for every shot.

This improves:

​

  • Focus

  • Alignment

  • Accuracy

  • Random Club Drill

  • Choose a different club before every shot.

  • Never hit the same club twice in a row.

  • This mimics real golf.

  • One-Ball Challenge

Hit one ball.

Then:

  • Change clubs

  • Change targets

  • Go through your routine again

Exactly like playing a round.

  • Three-Shot Scoring Drill

Choose one target.

Try to hit:

  • One draw

  • One straight shot

  • One fade

Learning ball control builds confidence.

  • Up-and-Down Challenge

Around the practice green:

  • Chip one to three balls.

  • Putt them out.

  • Keep score.

This is one of the best ways to lower scores.

How Often Should You Practice?

Consistency beats marathon practice sessions.

A good weekly schedule might look like this:

  • 2–3 range sessions

  • 2 putting sessions

  • 2 short-game sessions

  • 1–2 rounds of golf

Even practicing for 20–30 minutes several times a week can produce significant improvement.

Common Golf Practice Mistakes

Avoid these habits:

  • Hitting balls too quickly

  • Ignoring your pre-shot routine

  • Practicing only the driver

  • Never working on putting

  • Trying swing tips from multiple instructors at once

  • Practicing without targets

  • Skipping fundamentals

Great golfers practice with intention.

Measure Your Progress

Track:

  • Fairways hit

  • Greens in regulation

  • Putts per round

  • Up-and-down percentage

  • Penalty strokes

  • Miss tendencies

Knowing where you lose strokes helps you practice smarter.

Build Better Habits With Critters Golf

At Critters Golf, we teach golfers to simplify improvement by mastering the fundamentals first.

Our coaching focuses on:

  • Proper Grip

  • Stance & Posture

  • Alignment

  • Swing Fundamentals

  • Short Game

  • Course Strategy

  • Mental Golf

  • Smart Practice Habits

When you practice with purpose, every golf ball has value.

Small improvements practiced consistently lead to lower scores and greater confidence on the golf course.

Build Better Habits. Play Better Golf.

Our Journey

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Our Journey

Critters Golf was built on a simple belief: golfers improve faster when they have clear, proven guidance instead of guesswork. Founded by Ron Prentice, whose 40+ years of professional experience span top tournaments, elite training, and player development, Critters Golf brings real-world expertise to every lesson.

Our mission is to help golfers of all skill levels build solid fundamentals, make smarter decisions on the course, and play with greater confidence. Through simple, effective coaching, we make the game easier to understand—and more enjoyable every time you play.

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Critters Golf Scottsdale, AZ

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