Short Game · Drill
Change Targets on Every Pitch
Part of our short game programs for distance control. Build a program with it
Hitting twenty balls to one flag feels good. It doesn't teach much. Change your target every shot instead. Set targets at 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards. Hit one ball to each, in order. Never hit the same distance twice in a row. It feels harder. That's the point. It's how the course works. Note which distances leave you short or long. Then spend extra time on your weakest one.
The drill
- Set targets at four distances.
- Hit one ball to each in turn.
- Never repeat a distance back to back.
- Note your short and long misses.
- Work more on your weakest distance.
Why it works
On the course you never hit the same pitch twice in a row, so each shot needs a new distance and a new feel. Changing targets forces you to choose swing length and speed before every ball, and that is the skill that carries over. Repeating one distance lets you copy the last swing, which hides weak distance control.
Common mistakes
- You hit the targets in the same order each round, so you start to predict the next distance.Shuffle the order so the next distance is not obvious, and never repeat one back to back.
- You swing without picking a landing spot and a swing length first.Choose where the ball will land and how big a swing you need before you take your stance.
- You note only the good shots and skip the misses.Write down whether each ball finished short or long of its target, then look for a pattern by distance.
How you'll know it's working
- Your misses at each distance are within a similar range instead of swinging between short and long.
- You can say before the shot how far you expect the ball to land and carry, and the result is close.
- Your weakest distance gets fewer short or long misses after you give it extra time.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Use only two targets, such as 20 and 40 yards, and alternate between them.
Harder: Add a fifth target and a rule that you must land the ball on a towel, or play each shot from a different lie.
Common questions
How many balls should I hit in a pitching practice session?
Hit as many as you can with full attention, usually one ball per target for several rounds. Stop when your focus drops, because careless balls teach little.
Why is random practice better than hitting one distance repeatedly?
It makes you set up a new swing for every ball, as the course does. Repeating one distance feels better in the moment but does not train you to adjust.
