Hello, Daily Duffer readers! Sarah Chen here, and I’m thrilled to share some insights with you today that I believe can truly transform your golf game. As a PGA-certified instructor with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen countless golfers, from tour pros to weekend warriors, discover that the secret to improvement isn’t some mythical swing fix or expensive new club. It’s about smart, dedicated practice and a plan that fits *your* life.

Far too often, I hear golfers lamenting that they feel stuck. They hit the same scores, feel the same frustrations, and watch their playing partners pull ahead. It’s a feeling Brendon Elliott describes perfectly in his article:

“The most terrifying thing in golf isn’t a tight match or a water hazard on 18. It’s stagnation. You shoot the same scores year after year while your buddies keep getting better, posting new personal bests, winning skins.”

But the good news is, you absolutely *can* break free from that stagnation. It starts with an intentional practice plan. Whether you have 5, 10, or 15 hours a week, there’s a path to improvement.

The Power of Purposeful Practice: No Wasted Swings

My philosophy, and one I preach to all my students, is that every minute you spend practicing should have a clear goal. If you only have a few hours a week, this becomes even more critical. Brendon highlights this with the 5-hour plan:

“Five or so hours means no wasted reps. Everything you do needs to translate directly to your scorecard.”

And I couldn’t agree more! For busy golfers, it’s about targeting the areas that yield the biggest return on your time investment. That’s why the short game, for example, is so heavily weighted in all these plans.

Your Scoring Zone: Short Game Mastery (Even with Limited Time)

Let’s face it, most recreational golfers leave strokes out on the course around the green. If you’re looking to shave strokes quickly, this is where you start. Even an hour or two focused on chipping, pitching, and putting can make a dramatic difference.

For those with 5 hours a week, Brendon suggests dedicating 2.5 hours to the short game. This includes 90 minutes on putting, split between lag putts (30-40 feet) and those crucial 4-8 footers. The remaining hour is for chipping and pitching from various lies. Your target: a 50% up-and-down success rate from 20 yards and closer. This is a fantastic benchmark!

Try this drill: The 4-Putt Killer

Set up six balls in a circle around the hole, each 4 feet away. Your goal is to make all six consecutively. If you miss, start over. Once you make all six, move back to 5 feet, then 6 feet. This not only builds confidence but also helps you groove a consistent stroke under a mild “pressure” situation. I often have my students repeat this drill until they can sink 25 consecutive putts from three feet, as recommended in the 10-hour plan.

Full Swing Focus: Consistency Over Power

While bombing it off the tee is fun, consistency is what separates good rounds from great ones. For your full swing practice, especially if time is tight, focus on accuracy and control rather than just pure distance.

If you’re on the 5-hour plan, dedicate 30 minutes to your driver for consistency, not raw power. Then, spend an hour with your mid-irons. Don’t just hit balls aimlessly! Pick a specific target each time and track where your shots land. This immediate feedback is invaluable.

Try this drill: The Gate Drill for Iron Control

On the range, pick a target. Take two alignment sticks (or even extra clubs) and place them on the ground parallel to your target line, about a clubhead’s width apart. This creates a “gate.” Your goal is to swing and hit the ball through this gate with your mid-irons. This simple drill immediately hones your club path and ensures you’re swinging on plane towards your target.

Course Management: Your Silent Scorecard Reducer

One of the most overlooked aspects of golf improvement is course management. It doesn’t require extra hours on the range; it requires strategic thinking on the course. On the 5-hour plan, Brendon suggests:

“Walk nine holes with strategy as your only focus. Lay up to your best distances. Stay away from disaster. The number on your card doesn’t matter. The decisions you make do.”

This is golden advice! So many golfers focus solely on swing mechanics. But knowing when to be aggressive and when to play safe, understanding your own yardages, and avoiding penalty strokes can drop your scores by several shots per round without changing your swing one bit. In my teaching experience, many players can save 3-5 strokes a round just by making smarter decisions.

Building a Comprehensive Game: More Time, Deeper Dive

If you’re fortunate enough to have 10 or even 15 hours a week, you can delve deeper into each area. This allows for more specialized work, addressing weaknesses without sacrificing strengths, and building a more complete game.

For example, with 10 hours, you can add 30 minutes to your mental game, focusing on visualization and pre-shot routines. With 15 hours, you can even incorporate an hour of golf-specific physical conditioning – flexibility, core strength, and balance – which I often tell my students is foundational for a consistent, injury-free swing.

The key, regardless of your available time, is commitment and consistency. As Brendon wisely states:

“Choose the plan that fits your life, then commit. Five focused hours destroy ten distracted ones every single time.”

Your Path to a Better Game

Don’t let the idea of “not enough time” deter you. Start with what you have. Pick one plan, schedule it, and stick to it. Set measurable goals – maybe it’s that 50% up-and-down rate from 20 yards, or consistently hitting your 7-iron within 30 feet of the pin. Track your progress, adjust as needed, and celebrate the small victories.

You absolutely have the ability to become the golfer you aspire to be. It just takes a little planning, a lot of focus, and a belief in the process. I’m excited to see your progress!