Always Pick a Target When You Practice Golf
One of the simplest ways to make your golf practice more effective is to pick a target for every shot. It sounds obvious, but many golfers go to the range, set up to the ball, and swing without aiming at anything specific.
Golf is a target game. If you practice without a target, you miss out on valuable feedback that can help you improve.
Why a Target Matters
When you choose a clear target on the driving range, you immediately create a purpose for the shot. Instead of just hitting balls into open space, you can evaluate what actually happened:
- Did the ball start left of the target?
- Did it start right?
- Did it curve toward or away from the target?
- Did your aim match your intended shot?
This feedback helps you understand your ball flight and makes it much easier to transfer your practice to the golf course.
How to Practice With a Target
Before each shot, go through a simple routine:
- Choose a specific target on the range, such as a flag, yardage marker, tree, or sign.
- Set up to the ball with that target in mind.
- Aim your clubface and body deliberately.
- Hit the shot toward the target.
- Watch the ball flight and evaluate the result.
The key is to avoid mindlessly hitting balls. Each shot should have an intention.
Use the Fairway Finder Game With Driver
A great way to make this habit more realistic is to play a simple fairway finder game when you have driver in your hands.
Pick two targets on the range that represent the left and right edges of a fairway. Your goal is to hit drives that finish between those boundaries.
This gives you instant feedback and helps you practice the same skill you need on the course: finding the fairway.
Practice Like You Play
Choosing a target makes range practice more applicable to real golf. On the course, every shot has a target, a start line, and a desired outcome. Your practice should be the same.
The next time you go to the range, do not just aim into open space. Pick a target, commit to it, and use the result to learn.
