New year, new game. Whether you want to break 90, finally hit more fairways, or shave strokes off your handicap, these evidence-backed tips and simple drills will get your 2026 season off to the right start.
Best Golf Tips to Start 2026 Strong: Drills, Mindset & a 30‑Day Practice Plan
Ready to make 2026 your breakthrough golf year? Whether you're a weekend golfer or chasing single digits, this guide delivers the drills, mindset tweaks, and 30-day plan that top players swear by to start the season strong.
1. Set Smart Golf Goals for 2026
Start with a clear, measurable target: not just "play better," but "reduce my average score by 3 strokes" or "hit 50% of fairways in 6 weeks." SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time‑bound) make practice purposeful and SEO-friendly — golfers search for goal-based plans in January. For goal templates and tracking inspiration, see resources like PGA.com.
- Week 1: Baseline round — record fairways hit, GIR and putts.
- Week 2–3: Apply drills (short game + putting) below and re-test after practice sessions.
- Week 4: Play a scored round and compare — update your SMART goal.
2. Master the Short Game First (fastest ROI)
The short game (chipping, pitching, bunker play) is the highest-return area for lowering scores. Spend 40–50% of every practice session within 30 yards of the green. If you want a deep-dive guide and practice plans, trusted coaching sites like Me and My Golf offer structured short‑game programs.
Place three clubs or markers forming concentric arcs at ~5, 10 and 20 yards from the hole. From each distance, play 10 shots aiming to finish inside a 3‑foot circle. Track % inside circle — aim to improve by 10% every 2 weeks.
Pro tip: Practice landing‑spot control: pick a small target on the green and focus on consistent landing, not brute force. Want wedge recommendations before you practice? See reviews at Golf Digest.
3. Putting: Speed & Lane Control
Putting is where tournaments and casual rounds are won. Two skills matter most: distance control (lag putting) and short putt confidence (3–10 ft). Build both with short daily sessions.
- From 3, 6, 9 and 12 feet, make 10 putts in a row at each distance (or hit 10 in a row within your target %).
- For lag putting, place a towel 3 feet short of the hole from 30–60 feet and practice leaving the ball on the towel.
A small daily routine (10–15 minutes) produces better results than occasional long sessions. Track putts per GIR after rounds — it's a high-ROI metric to improve.
4. Build a Reliable Pre‑Shot Routine
Under pressure, golfers regress to instinct. A simple, repeatable pre‑shot routine reduces variance. Keep it short: visualize → pick an aimpoint → breathe → small waggle → commit. Use it on every shot for consistency.
- Before practice shots, set a small consequence (e.g., 10 push-ups if you miss the target) to simulate pressure.
- Use your 5‑step routine and note whether the routine produces the same setup and pre‑shot tempo every time.
5. Use Data Smartly: Track the Right KPIs
Data helps — but don't drown in numbers. Choose 2–3 KPIs and improve them. For most golfers these are:
- GIR% (Greens in Regulation)
- Putts per GIR
- Scrambling %
Tools like a basic launch monitor, phone apps or a single fitting session can help confirm club gapping and correct loft/lie — but only after your swing is repeatable. For more on launch monitors and tech in 2025, check authoritative reviews and guides from major publications.
6. Course Management & Tee Strategy
Smart play often beats raw distance. Know the hole: if a forced carry brings big risk, play to the safe side. One trick to learn scoring is to play from the forward tees for a month. You'll learn how to manage par and sharpen decision-making.
- Pick one round per month where you purposely avoid aggressive pins and play safe to the widest part of each fairway/green.
- Record score and note how many risk shots you avoided — most golfers save strokes this way.
7. Golf Fitness & Mobility (do this 2–3×/week)
Mobility beats brute strength for repeatable contact. Focus on hip rotation, thoracic mobility and single‑leg stability. Short 15–20 minute routines 2–3 times weekly are enough to see gains in swing speed and consistency.
- Dynamic hip swings — 2 sets of 10 each side
- Thoracic rotations on all fours — 2 × 12
- Single-leg balance 30s × 3
8. 30‑Day Challenge — Start 2026 Strong
This short plan bundles the priorities above into a measurable sequence so you can start the year with momentum.
- Days 1–7: Daily 10‑15 minute putting ladder; 3 short‑game sessions (3‑Club Circle).
- Days 8–14: Add one data session (range or launch monitor) to check gapping; keep daily putting.
- Days 15–21: Add two fitness sessions per week; practice pre‑shot routine under pressure.
- Days 22–30: Play two rounds using course management tactics and record KPIs.
At the end of the 30 days, re-run your baseline round and compare GIR%, putts, and scrambles. Adjust the next 30‑day block based on what improved most.
FAQ — Golf Tips to Start 2026 Strong
Q: What should I practice first if I only have 30 minutes?
A: Short game and putting. Spend 20 minutes on chips/pitches around the green and 10 minutes on ladder putting — it's the highest ROI.
Q: Do I need a launch monitor to get better?
A: No — most golfers improve faster with deliberate practice. Use a launch monitor once your swing is repeatable to confirm gaps and distances.
Q: How often should I play versus practice?
A: Aim for 2 practice sessions per week plus one round; increase on weeks you have time. Structure practice to mirror on-course situations.
A quick video to practice with
Want a short visual clinic to complement these tips? Watch this concise pro video, then come back and try the drills below.
