Don’t Just Smash Balls: 5 Range Drills Every Beginner Golfer Needs

‍Because nobody wants to be the one just smashing balls with no clue what’s working.

Let’s face it—walking onto the range can be a little nerve-wracking. You’ve got one guy piping drives 280, another doing slow-mo practice swings like he’s prepping for Augusta. Meanwhile, you’re just trying to make decent contact.

Good news: you don’t need to look like a pro to train like one. These five beginner-friendly drills will give you structure, help you build real skills, and keep your confidence intact—all in under an hour.

1. The 10-Ball Warm-Up

Club: Wedge

How to do it:

Start with 10 soft half-swings. Focus on balance, solid contact, and tempo. No need to aim far—just loosen up and find rhythm.

Why it helps: You’ll warm up your body, build confidence early, and avoid the classic “first swing = shank” scenario.

2. The Chipping Challenge

Club: Pitching wedge or 9-iron

How to do it:

Pick a short-range target and try to land 5 chips inside a small circle (imagine a hula hoop). Limit wrist movement and focus on clean contact.

Why it helps: The short game is where beginners lose strokes. This gets your feel dialed in before you even hit a full shot.

3. The Ladder Drill

Clubs: 9-iron → 7-iron → 5-iron → Hybrid → Driver

How to do it:

Hit 3 balls with each club, working your way up. Don’t move on until you hit one solid shot. This helps your body adjust to different lengths and lofts.

Why it helps: Builds rhythm, timing, and trust with each club—especially helpful if you usually just hit the same one over and over.

4. The Target Game

Club: Your favorite iron

How to do it:

Pick a target (not just open range) and try to land a 5-shot group inside a 10-yard window. Reset between shots—treat it like a real hole.

Why it helps: This brings purpose to your practice. You’ll start training your brain for the course, not just the range mat.

5. End on a High Note

Club: Whatever you hit best

How to do it:

Wrap your session with 3–5 of your most confident shots. Picture the first tee box, take your time, and swing with intention.

Why it helps: You walk away with a win, not a frustration spiral.

Bonus Drill: Taming the Woods (Without Losing Your Mind)

Let’s talk about the fairway woods and driver—aka, the clubs that humble most beginners.

Start with: A 5-wood or 3-wood before jumping to the driver

How to do it:

• Tee the ball just slightly (especially with woods—don’t hit them off the mat directly)
• Smooth tempo is key—don’t overswing
• Focus on sweeping through the ball, not chopping down
• Hit 5 balls with a wood before picking up the driver

Why it helps: Fairway woods help build tempo and confidence. If you’re topping the ball or hitting weak slices, go back to your 7-iron and reset.

Driver Tip: Play the ball slightly forward in your stance, keep your head behind the ball at impact, and let it launch—don’t force it.

Final Tip: Don’t burn through 100 balls hoping something magically clicks. Use these drills, slow it down, and leave the range better than when you showed up.