A week-by-week plan that builds competence and confidence without burnout.

What to prioritise in month one

• Build the non-negotiables: grip, stance, alignment, and a repeatable contact with a 7‑iron. Focus on a smooth, straight swing rather than power.
• Tempo matters: aim for a comfortable rhythm (roughly a 1:2 feel of back swing to through swing) to promote solid contact.
• Ball position and path: place the ball mid‑stance for short shots and slightly forward for longer ones; keep the path straight and narrow.
• Short-game seed: introduce a reliable chipping motion using a PW or 9‑iron; practise landing zones and close-to-target proximity.
• Drills to start: pause-at-top to feel the swing, and a two-quarter-swing drill to establish rhythm.
• Pro Tip: Align a target 20–30 yards away and rehearse to it. It trains direction before you chase distance.

Month two: scoring short-game habits

• Putts first, fastest improvements later: 15–20 minutes daily on grip, stroke, and distance control.
• Putt drills you can trust: gate drill to promote a square-through stroke, and the clock drill (12–3–9 o’clock) to balance speed on different lines.
• Wedge work: practise 20–40 yard shots with the PW, gap, and sand wedge; mix trajectory and roll-out to build feel.
• Bunker basics: light practice with a 54–60 degree wedge; focus on splash contact and clean exit.
• Short-game routine: a simple sequence of chip, pitch, and putt from varied distances.
• Pro Tip: Prioritise distance control over line on short putts. A well‑judge pace makes more greens accessible.

Month three: course confidence and routines

• On-course integration: combine range work with real rounds; simulate pre-round routines in practise.
• Pre‑round routine: align, grip, stance, and a deliberate cadence with a brief practice swing—about 10–15 seconds total.
• Distance awareness: practise full and partial swings to dial in yards with the clubs you actually use on course.
• Course management: choose safer targets when uncertain; default to one trusted shot shape and a conservative club.
• Round reflections: carry a compact notebook to capture greens hit, up‑and‑downs, and repeatable patterns.
• Pro Tip: Record one clear swing thought per shot (not per round) to maintain focus without overload.

How many practice reps to aim for

• Week plan blueprint:
• Range: 3 sessions per week, 40–60 balls per session for full swing and contact drills.
• Short game: 2 sessions per week, 20–30 minutes concentrating on chipping and putting.
• On-course simulation: 1 short session every second week if possible.
• Total target: keep a steady, sustainable pace—quality over quantity, with deliberate, focused reps.

The simplest tracking method for beginners

• One-page practice log:
• Date, focus (example: “7‑iron accuracy, distance control”)
• Reps or time spent, and ball contact quality (1–5)
• Distance outcomes and any note on direction
• Quick reflection (what to improve next session)
• Pro Tip: colour‑code entries (green = solid day, amber = work to do) to see progress at a glance.

What’s next: refining your grip and stance for +consistency across shots.