By JustSwingClub — Play Better Golf. No Coaches. Just Community.
Your approach game is one of the fastest ways to lower your scores.
You don’t need perfect tee shots or massive distance — if your wedges and short irons are sharp, you’ll save strokes every round.
Here are 10 of the most effective drills to improve accuracy, distance control, contact, and your up-and-down percentage.
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1. The 30–50–70 Yard Distance Control Drill
Distance control is the foundation of great approach play.
How to practice:
1. Pick targets at 30, 50, and 70 yards
2. Hit 3 balls to each distance
3. Focus only on consistent carry
Results:
- Better wedge consistency
- Improved scoring on par 5s and long par 4s
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2. Three Trajectory Drill (Low–Mid–High)
Being able to change height gives you options for every situation.
Practice each:
- Low shot → PW or GW, hands forward
- Mid shot → Standard SW
- High shot → LW, open face
Benefits:
- More creativity
- Better recovery shots
- More control on firm or soft greens
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3. The “Target Circle” Approach Drill
A simple but powerful drill for tightening dispersion.
How it works:
- Place a 3–6 ft circle around the pin
- Hit 10–20 shots from 10–40 yards
- Score based on how many land inside the circle
This is one of the fastest ways to increase your up-and-down rate.
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4. One-Club Wedge Mastery Drill
Learn to use one wedge for multiple situations.
Rules:
- Pick one club (SW or LW)
- Hit all shots with the same club
Why this works:
- Better face control
- Improved setup consistency
- Stronger golf IQ (shot selection improves)
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5. Clean Contact Drill (Line Over the Ball)
The #1 killer of approach shots is poor contact: fat or thin.
Do this:
- Draw a line on the ground
- Place the ball slightly ahead of the line
- Hit down so the club enters the ground *after* the line
Outcome:
Pure contact. Less chunking. Better control.
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6. Running Approach Drill (PW/9I)
The most reliable approach shot for most golfers is a low, running chip.
How to practice:
1. Use PW or 9I
2. Visualize carry = 30%, roll = 70%
3. Hit 10 balls focusing on predictable rollout
Great for:
- Tight lies
- Consistent distance
- Safer shots under pressure
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7. No-Backswing Feel Drill
Build feel by drastically shortening your backswing.
Why it’s effective:
- Slower motion improves feedback
- Better spin control
- Helps eliminate rushed swings
Take the club back only waist-high and focus on smooth contact.
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8. Rough “Slide” Drill
Rough requires a different technique.
Keys:
- Open the face
- Allow the club to glide through the grass
- Don’t grip too tightly
You learn to “slide” the club under the ball instead of chopping down.
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9. Random Lie Challenge (10 Balls)
The most realistic on-course practice you can do.
How to practice:
- Scatter 10 balls in different lies
- For each: choose a club, choose a trajectory, commit
- No repeating the same shot twice
Builds:
- Decision-making
- Versatility
- On-course confidence
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10. Hold Your Finish Drill (Approach Version)
A stable finish = a controlled swing.
Focus on:
- Full rotation
- Weight forward
- Balanced body position for 1–2 seconds
This reduces flinching, rushing, and inconsistent contact.
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Improving your approach game often lowers your scores faster than improving your driver.
These drills help you dial in your distance control, get more consistent contact, and leave yourself makeable putts.
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Upload your swing or approach videos to JustSwingClub and get real feedback from real golfers.
No coaches. Just community.
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