Summer practice drills to improve your golf game
Summer is one of the best times of year to improve your golf game. Longer evenings, firmer conditions, and more time on the course create the perfect opportunity to sharpen your skills and build confidence for the busiest part of the golf season.
But improving at golf isn’t just about hitting more balls, it’s about practicing with purpose.
Too many golfers head to the driving range without a plan, quickly falling into the habit of mindlessly hitting driver after driver. The best players use structured drills that simulate on-course situations, improve consistency, and build confidence under pressure.
Whether you’ve got 20 minutes after work, an hour on the range, or time during a golf break, here are some of the best summer golf practice drills to help improve your scoring.
Start with a Warm-Up Routine
Before diving into drills, it’s important to warm up properly.
A good warm-up:
• loosens muscles,
• improves tempo,
• and helps prevent injury.
Start with:
• short wedge shots,
• gentle stretching,
• and half swings before building up to full speed.
Avoid immediately reaching for driver. Good practice should mirror the flow of a real round.
Driving Range Drill: The Fairway Finder Challenge
One of the biggest scoring improvements golfers can make is simply keeping the ball in play off the tee.
Instead of trying to hit every drive as far as possible, create a fairway challenge:
• Pick a target fairway width on the range
• Hit 10 tee shots
• Score one point for every “fairway” hit
Repeat using:
• driver,
• 3-wood,
• hybrid,
• or driving iron.
This drill improves:
• focus,
• course management,
• and consistency under pressure.
It also teaches golfers that accuracy often beats distance during summer golf when fairways are already firm and running.
Wedge Distance Ladder Drill
Most amateur golfers lose shots inside 100 yards.
This summer, spend more time improving your scoring clubs with a wedge ladder drill.
Pick targets at:
• 30 yards,
• 50 yards,
• 70 yards,
• and 90 yards.
The goal is to:
• control carry distance,
• improve strike quality,
• and build confidence with partial swings.
TrackMan sessions are particularly valuable for wedge practice because they provide precise carry numbers and spin feedback.
Learning exact wedge distances can transform your scoring opportunities during summer golf.
Putting Drill: The Circle of Confidence
Short putts are often where pressure builds most.
Place 6 - 8 balls in a circle around the hole from approximately 3–4 feet.
The goal:
• make every putt consecutively,
• restarting if one is missed.
This drill builds:
• confidence,
• routine,
• and focus under pressure.
As summer greens become quicker and firmer, controlling pace and starting lines becomes even more important.
Chipping Drill: One Club, Multiple Shots
Many golfers overcomplicate short game practice. Instead, take one wedge and practice:
• low bump-and-runs,
• medium-height chips,
• and soft landing shots.
This teaches:
• creativity,
• feel,
• and trajectory control.
Summer golf conditions often require adaptability around greens, especially on firmer surfaces where rollout becomes more significant.
Practice Like You Play
One of the best ways to improve your golf game is practicing under simulated course conditions.
Rather than hitting the same club repeatedly:
• imagine playing holes,
• change targets regularly,
• and go through your full pre-shot routine every time.
This creates:
• better focus,
• improved decision-making,
• and more realistic practice habits.
Tour professionals rarely hit identical shots repeatedly without purpose - and amateur golfers shouldn’t either.
Indoor Golf & TrackMan Practice
If weather or time limits your practice opportunities, indoor golf technology like TrackMan provides a fantastic alternative.
TrackMan allows golfers to:
• analyse swing data,
• test distances,
• improve shot dispersion,
• and play virtual golf courses.
It’s also brilliant for:
• junior golfers,
• families,
• and beginners wanting a more interactive experience.
TrackMan facilities are available at:
• Belton Woods Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
• Oulton Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
• Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort
- with exciting plans for TrackMan coming soon to Telford Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort.
Keep Practice Fun
Summer golf should still be enjoyable.
Challenge friends to:
• nearest-the-pin contests,
• putting competitions,
• TrackMan combines,
• or up-and-down games around the practice green.
The more engaging practice becomes, the more likely you are to stick with it consistently.
Ready to improve your game this summer?
Book a:
• TrackMan session,
• short game lesson,
• or summer coaching package
with one of our PGA Professionals across The QHotels Collection.
Smarter practice leads to better golf, and your best golf could still be ahead of you this summer.
