Instruction

5 drills to keep the rust off this winter

Published

10 years ago

Feb 11, 2016

Contrary to popular belief, the winter season has been proven to be the best time to train for many golfers. Training indoors can speed up the learning process and allow for lasting swing improvements that may not come as easily during the warmer months. Remember, every sport has an offseason when athletes train harder to prepare themselves for the upcoming season. So why wait until the weather breaks to grab your clubs out of the garage? Wouldn’t you rather invest the time and effort in your game and be ready to play once the season hits?

I put together a short list of exercises that you can do in your home throughout the winter to train better golf motions without having to hit any balls. The misconception is that you need to hit balls and see ball flight to improve, but that isn’t always true. It all goes back to my mentor Jim McLean’s Elimination Theory. When you train specific motions, you want to eliminate certain elements so that you can focus on the task at hand. In this case it would be eliminating the ball so that golfers can improve awareness of the club and body motion. If you can improve your motions and awareness, then the ball will react differently when hit.

Try these five simple drills throughout the winter, each of which I recommend golfers perform for 5 minutes per day. I think everyone can spare between 5-25 minutes a day if they’re truly serious about improving their golf games.

1. Grip the Ruler

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All you need is your hands and a 12-inch ruler.
Start with the edges of the ruler facing up.
Place your hands on the ruler in the same fashion you would to grip the golf club.
The edges of the ruler should run through the base of your fingers in each hand. You will notice that it is extremely difficult to place the edges in the palm, and therefore the ruler should fit naturally through the base of your fingers.
Now grab one of your golf clubs and see if your can replicate the placement and feeling on the handle of the golf club.

You can perform this exercise on your couch while watching TV. Make sure to repeat the processes a few times. This will allow you to switch back and forth from the ruler to the club and gain an understanding of the placement of your hands.

2. Chipping Runway

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Find a spacious carpeted area or a floor mat in an open area.
Place either two pens or pencils on the carpet like a “runway,” a little wider than the width of the clubhead.
Take your normal chipping set up with weight slightly forward of center and place the clubhead in the runway between the pens.
Swing the club back and through to about knee height brushing the carpet between the pens.

The goal is to control where club bottoms out and hits the carpet. You want to hit the carpet in the center of the “runway” without disturbing the arrangement of the pens. The nice part about practicing on a carpet is that you can see the mark of where the club struck the ground.

After each swing check to see where the mark is. Be sure that it is directly in the center of the runway (front-to-back and side-to-side). Start off swinging slowly so you can gain awareness of where the clubhead is throughout the entire swing. Gradually increase your speed, but remember these are chip shots — you are not practicing 250-yard drives.

3. Swing Plane Wall Drill

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Take your normal address position with a 7-8 iron and place your clubhead at the edge where the floor and wall meet (the edge will serve as your target line).
Now choke down to the bottom of the grip where the steel or graphite is exposed. The excess of the grip club should be under your left forearm. The clubhead should be hovering above the floor about the length that you choked down.
Swing the club back to the three-quarter position and have the grip end of the club point to the edge of the wall (your left arm and club shaft should form an “L”). Hold the position for a few seconds and check to make sure the position is correct and not pointing to the middle of the wall or at your toes.
Then slowly swing down through impact to a three-quarter follow through. Again, the grip end of the club should point to the edge of the wall (right arm and club shaft should form another “L”). Hold this position for a few seconds, and again, check to make sure the position is correct, not pointing to the middle of the wall or at your toes.

I’m using an alignment rod, which is stuck in the butt of the grip to illustrate the proper positioning in this photo.

It’s important to make sure you are going through these motions slowly to create awareness of what your body and arms should be doing. Going faster will not speed up the learning process. It will only hinder your ability to understand where your golf club is in relation to your body.

4. Body Motion Wall Drill

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Assume a balanced set-up position with your backside against the wall and your arms across your chest.
As you begin to make your backswing motion, feel your right back pocket rotate slightly toward the target (not slide away from target) and your chest and shoulders turn down and away from target. You should feel your weight on the inside of a braced back leg, your left shoulder underneath your chin and your back pointed to the target. This creates resistance between the upper and lower body; therefore, creating an explosive position for power.
As you begin the downswing motion, keep your back to the target and allow your left back pocket to shift toward the target. During this transition from backswing to downswing, your backside will remain on the wall, but slide toward the target. Do not allow either pocket to come off wall at this point. You will feel the pressure/weight shift into your front leg.
Once you feel the pressure shift into the front side, you can begin to rotate. Push your back left pocket into the wall and allow your right back pocket to come off the wall as your left leg begins to straighten. Once you complete your rotation/pivot, you should feel 90 percent of the weight and pressure on your front foot. You also want to have a slight spine tilt away from the wall. This shows that you remained in your posture.

At first, break this exercise down into segments: backswing, shift/transition and follow through. Perform each a few times as separate motions. This will allow you to learn each motion correctly. Then when you feel that you understand each movement, you can piece them together into one fluid motion.

5. Floor Mat Putting

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Establish a balanced putting setup and place the toe of your putter against the edge of a floor mat.
Swing the putter back and allow the head to arc inward and away from the edge of the mat.
Then swing it forward and allow it to brush the mat as it passes through the impact area (where the ball would be).
After it passes through impact, allow it to arc back inward and away from mat again.

Do your best to make the stroke an even length on the back and forward swing. You can use your feet as a guide for stroke length. Swing back to the right foot and through to the left. Also, be sure to keep the tempo of the stroke consistent back and through. You don’t want to go back slow and through fast, or vice versa. Keeping the tempo the same back and through will encourage consistent speed control, which is the key to eliminate three-putts.

Instruction

How to play your best golf when the temperature drops

Published

3 months ago

Feb 3, 2026

Brendon Elliott

The LPGA Tour is kicking off its 2026 season this week at Lake Nona Golf and Country Club in Orlando, and the pros are dealing with something most Florida golfers rarely face: freezing temperatures.

“It’s colder here than in the UK at the minute, which is a first,” said England’s Charley Hull during Wednesday’s media day at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.

Even Lydia Ko, who lives at Lake Nona, seemed surprised by the cold snap. “We’re pretty much getting to below zero in celsius here, which maybe in other parts of the country they would be thankful, but when you’re in Florida it is a little bit of a surprise,” she said.

If the world’s best players are adjusting their games for cold weather, recreational golfers should, too. Here’s how to play smart when the mercury drops.

Understand What Cold Does to Your Game

Before you change anything, you need to know what you’re fighting against. Cold air is denser than warm air, which means your ball won’t fly as far. Period.

Hull noticed this immediately during practice rounds at Lake Nona. She mentioned hitting a gap wedge into the 18th hole during a previous win but needing a 4-iron during Tuesday’s practice round. That’s a difference of four or five clubs for the same shot.

Action item: Expect to lose 5-10 yards on every club in your bag when temperatures dip below 50 degrees. Plan accordingly and don’t be stubborn about club selection.

Layer Up Without Restricting Your Swing

Hull admitted she wore three pairs of pants during practice. While that might be extreme for most of us, staying warm is critical to playing well in cold conditions.

Your muscles need warmth to function properly. When you’re cold, your body tightens up and your swing gets shorter and faster. Neither of those things help you hit good golf shots.

Action item: Wear multiple thin layers instead of one bulky jacket. Look for golf-specific cold weather gear that stretches with your swing. Keep hand warmers in your pockets between shots. And don’t forget a good hat because you lose significant body heat through your head.

Take More Club Than You Think You Need

This is where ego gets in the way of good scores. When it’s cold, the ball doesn’t compress as well off the clubface. Combined with denser air, you’re looking at serious distance loss.

The pros at Lake Nona are dealing with a course that measures 6,642 yards but plays much longer this week. If they’re adjusting, you should too.

Action item: Take at least one extra club on every approach shot. In temperatures below 40 degrees, consider taking two extra clubs. It’s better to fly the ball to the back of the green than to come up short in a bunker.

Adjust Your Expectations on the Greens

Cold weather affects putting in ways most golfers don’t consider. The ball is harder and doesn’t roll as smoothly. Your hands are cold, making it harder to feel the putter. And if there’s any moisture on the greens, they’ll be slower than normal.

Ko mentioned that she still sometimes reads the greens wrong at Lake Nona despite being a member for years. Cold weather makes that challenge even tougher.

Action item: Hit putts more firmly than usual. The ball needs extra speed to hold its line on cold greens. Take a few extra practice strokes to get a feel for the speed before you putt.

Embrace the Mental Challenge

Hull said something interesting about cold weather golf: “I like the mental toughness of it.”

That’s the right attitude. Everyone on the course is dealing with the same conditions. The player who stays patient and doesn’t get frustrated by the extra difficulty will come out ahead.

Action item: Lower your expectations by a few strokes. If you normally shoot 85, accept that 90 might be a good score in 40-degree weather. Focus on solid contact and smart decisions rather than perfect shots.

Warm Up Longer and Smarter

This might be the most important tip of all. Cold muscles are tight muscles, and tight muscles get injured easily.

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul revealed she’s been protecting a wrist injury that bothered her late last season. Cold weather makes those kinds of injuries more likely if you don’t prepare properly.

Action item: Spend at least 20 minutes warming up before your round. Start with stretching, then hit easy wedge shots before working up to your driver. Keep moving between shots on the course to maintain body heat and flexibility.

The pros at Lake Nona this week will adapt and compete at the highest level despite the cold. You can do the same at your local course by following these tips and keeping a positive attitude.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “Playing Through” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.

Editor’s note: Brendon shares his nearly 30 years of experience in the game with GolfWRX readers through his ongoing tip series. He looks forward to providing valuable insights and advice to help golfers improve their game. Stay tuned for more tips!

Instruction

3 lessons from Brooks Koepka that’ll actually lower your score

Published

3 months ago

Feb 2, 2026

Brendon Elliott

Brooks Koepka is back on the PGA Tour, and whether you love him or hate him, the guy knows how to win when it matters. After his LIV Golf stint, the five-time major champion returns this week at the Farmers Insurance Open.

What makes Koepka fascinating? He doesn’t fit the mold. His swing isn’t textbook. He doesn’t obsess over mechanics. Yet he’s won three PGA Championships and two U.S. Opens, regularly making it look easier than guys with prettier swings.

So, what can average golfers learn from someone who treats the game so differently? Quite a bit.

Stop Overthinking Every Shot

Koepka describes his approach as “reactionary” rather than mechanical. While most tour pros grind over swing thoughts, Brooks sees the target and hits it. No mental checklist.

This might be the most valuable lesson for weekend golfers who’ve watched too many YouTube swing videos.

How to actually do this:

On the range, hit five balls where you stare at the target for three seconds prior to addressing the ball. Don’t think about grip or stance. Just burn that target into your brain. You’ll be shocked at how pure you hit it when your brain focuses on where the ball is going instead of how you’re swinging.

Next time you play, give yourself a rule: Once you pull the club, you’ve got 15 seconds to hit. Koepka is one of the fastest players on tour because he doesn’t give his brain time to sabotage him.

If you feel tension in your hands at address, you’re trying to control too much. Koepka’s grip pressure is famously light. Loosen up until the club almost feels like it might slip, then add just enough pressure to hold on. That’s your swing thought: soft hands, see the target.

This approach works better under pressure. When you’re standing over that shot with water left and OB right, the last thing you need is a mental checklist. See it, feel it, hit it.

Play to Your Strengths (Even If They’re Not Pretty)

Koepka uses a strong grip that wouldn’t pass muster in some teaching circles. But he’s built his game around what works for him, elite driving distance and recovery skills. He doesn’t try to be someone he’s not.

Here’s how to build your game like Brooks:

Look at your last five rounds and figure out where you’re actually gaining strokes. Bombing it off the tee, but can’t hit greens? Lean into it. Play courses where distance matters more than precision. On tight holes, grip down on your 3-wood instead of trying to thread a driver through a keyhole you’ll miss seven times out of ten.

Koepka knows he can scramble, so he’s not afraid to miss greens. If you’re deadly from 50 to 75 yards, start leaving yourself those distances on the par 5’s instead of going for them in two every time.

Know when to take your medicine. Koepka in the trees at the PGA? He’s punching out to 100 yards, not trying to bend a 6-iron around three oaks. You’re in the rough with a flyer lie and water short? Hit your 8-iron to the middle and move on. That’s not playing scared, that’s playing smart.

Save Your Best for When It Counts

Here’s a wild stat: Koepka’s putting average in majors is often more than a full stroke better per round than in regular events. He elevates when pressure is highest.

How does an amateur tap into that gear? It’s not about trying harder, it’s about caring differently.

Here’s what actually works:

Decide which rounds matter to you. Club championship? Member-guest? That annual trip with college buddies? Circle those dates and treat them differently. Koepka doesn’t care much about regular tour events, but majors? That’s when he locks in.

Two weeks before your big round, change your practice. Stop beating balls mindlessly. Play nine holes in which every shot has consequences. Miss the fairway? Hit from the rough on the next hole too. Three-putt? Twenty push-ups. Koepka’s practice intensity ramps up before majors because he’s rehearsing pressure, not just swings.

Develop a between-shot routine that resets your brain. Koepka is famous for his blank expression after bad shots. Try this: After any shot, take three deep breaths while walking, then find something specific to notice, a tree, a cloud, someone’s shirt. That’s your reset button. By the time you reach your ball, the last shot is gone.

The Bottom Line

Brooks Koepka’s return reminds us there’s no single path to success in golf. His “substance over style” approach proves that results matter more than looking good.

You don’t need a perfect swing; you need a reliable one that holds up under pressure. You don’t need to hit every shot in the book; you need the shots you can count on. And you don’t need to play great every time; you need to play great when it matters.

Welcome back, Brooks. Thanks for the reminder that golf is ultimately about getting the ball in the hole, not winning style points.

Instruction

What we can learn from Blades Brown’s impressive American Express performance

Published

3 months ago

Jan 29, 2026

Brendon Elliott

Blades Brown made a big impression last week in the California desert, and not just because he’s only 18. He put up numbers that would catch any weekend golfer’s attention. Most of us won’t hit 317-yard drives or find 86% of our greens in regulation, but there’s a lot to learn from how Brown managed his game at The American Express.

Here are three practical lessons from his performance that you can use on your own course this weekend.

Step 1: Give Priority to Accuracy Over Distance Off The Tee

Brown’s driving stats are impressive. He averaged almost 318 yards off the tee, ranking 12th in the field. More importantly, he hit 76.79% of his fairways, tying for fourth place in the tournament.

Think about that ratio for a second. Brown could have swung harder, chased more distance and tried to overpower the course. Instead, he played smart golf and kept his ball in play.

Your Action Item: Next time you’re on the tee box, ask yourself a simple question before pulling the driver. Do you need maximum distance here, or do you need to be in the fairway? If there’s trouble lurking or the hole doesn’t demand every yard you can muster, take something off your swing. Grip down an inch. Make a three-quarter swing. Do whatever it takes to find the short grass. Brown’s approach illustrates that fairways lead to greens, and greens lead to birdies. He made 22 of them last week, along with an eagle.

The math is simple. When you’re hitting three out of every four fairways like Brown did, you’re giving yourself legitimate looks at the green with your approach shots. That’s when scoring happens.

Step 2: Commit To Hitting More Greens

This is where Brown really separated himself. He hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation, an 86.11% clip that tied for first in the entire field. Read that again. An 18-year-old kid tied for the lead in one of the most important ball-striking statistics in professional golf.

How did he do it? By keeping his ball in the fairway (see Step 1) and giving himself clean looks with mid-irons and wedges.

Your Action Item: Start tracking your greens in regulation. You don’t need a fancy app or a statistics degree. Just mark down whether you hit the green in the regulation number of strokes. Par 3s in one shot. Par 4s in two shots. Par 5s in three shots.

Once you know your baseline, set a goal to improve it by 10%. If you’re currently hitting five greens per round, aim for six. The beauty of this approach is that it forces you to think strategically about club selection and shot shape. Brown’s strokes gained approach number was positive (0.179), meaning he was better than the field average. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be on the dance floor more often.

When you hit more greens, you eliminate the need for heroic short game shots. Brown only had to scramble 10 times all week, and he got up and down 70% of the time. That’s solid, but the real story is that he rarely put himself in scrambling situations to begin with.

Step 3: Minimize Mistakes And Stay Patient

Here’s the stat that jumps off the page: Brown made only three bogeys all week. Three. In four rounds of professional golf against the best players in the world.

He also made just one double bogey. That kind of clean card doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when you play within yourself, avoid the big miss and trust that pars are never bad scores.

Your Action Item: Before your next round, decide that you’re going to play boring golf. No hero shots over water. No driver on tight holes just because you can. No aggressive pins when there’s a safe side of the green.

Brown’s performance shows us that consistency beats flash every single time. He didn’t lead the field in any single strokes gained category, but he was solid across the board. That’s how you post numbers and cash checks.

Give these three steps a try. Your scorecard will thank you.

PGA Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his writing work and learn more about him by visiting BEAGOLFER.golf and OneMoreRollGolf.com. Also, check out “The Starter” now on R.org, RG.org’s partner site, each Monday.