Irons · Drill
Hit Irons Into Target Zones
Part of our irons programs. Build a program with it
Hitting at a whole range teaches you nothing. Give yourself zones. Use two sticks or tees to make a lane. Then set more markers farther out to create zones at different distances. Warm up with half-swing wedges into one zone. Then switch to mid-irons. Pick a zone for each shot. Mix up your clubs. Make the zones smaller as you get better. Write down where you miss. If you miss the same way often, check your stance or grip.
The drill
- Make a lane with sticks or tees.
- Add markers to make distance zones.
- Warm up with half wedges.
- Hit mid-irons to a chosen zone.
- Shrink the zones and track your misses.
Why it works
A specific target forces you to pick a start line and a carry distance before every swing. That gives you a clear result to judge, so you can tell a good strike from a poor one. Changing zones and clubs stops you from hitting the same shot over and over, which is closer to how you play on the course.
Common mistakes
- You hit the next ball before you check where the last one finished.Wait until the ball stops, note whether it hit the zone, then pick your next zone.
- You make the zones too small at the start and get frustrated.Begin with wide lanes and deep zones, and shrink them only after you hit most shots into them.
- You stop at noting a miss and never look for the cause.Write down the miss direction each time, and if one side repeats, check your grip and stance alignment.
How you'll know it's working
- Most balls start on the line of your lane and finish inside the chosen zone.
- Your misses spread evenly on both sides instead of always going the same way.
- Your contact feels the same on each club, with the divot starting just after the ball.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Use wider lanes and longer zones, and hit the same club until you get most shots into the zone.
Harder: Shrink the zones, change clubs on every shot, and call the zone out loud before you swing.
Common questions
How far apart should I set the distance zones?
Set them about one club's typical carry gap apart, so each zone matches a different club or swing length. Adjust them as you learn your own distances.
How often should I do a target zone drill?
Once or twice a week works for most golfers, because the drill takes 30 minutes or more and needs focus. Stop the session if your attention drops or anything hurts.
