5 tips to practice well without taking lessons

I have the opportunity to watch golfers of all skill levels on the practice range. As an instructor, my teaching eye naturally scans swings as players try to launch that little ball into the air and keep it straight.

It's always fun to watch someone celebrate a great shot. A little harder to watch is to see the same mistake repeated without correction, often relying on hand-eye coordination or luck rather than sound method.

Here are my suggestions for getting the most out of your practice time without the guidance of an instructor.

1. Start with a short club

The driver may be the most fun club in the bag, and it certainly has the ability to hit the ball far. However, it is not the best club to start with.

If I were choosing a first club, I would recommend a sand wedge or a gap wedge. These clubs are short, which makes them easy to control. They also have a rounded sole that helps the club slide down when making contact with the ground.

For new golfers, this encourages the important habit of letting the club hit the ground at impact rather than trying to lift the ball into the air. Once you have a solid connection with the short club, gradually work your way up to the long clubs and finally the driver.

2. Focus on grip and posture

There is an amazing amount of golf education available online. Spending just five minutes watching a quality video on grip and stance can make a big difference before you start hitting balls.

Trust me — the stranger standing next to you on the range probably isn't your best source of swing advice.

3. Use tea

Anything that helps produce solid contact and good results is important when learning, especially when practicing without guidance.

Putting the ball up makes it much easier to get the ball in the air. If you struggle to get the ball in the air, don't hesitate to raise the tee until you start to see a consistent flight.

Don't look at the high tee as a drag. Think of it as a learning tool that helps you find effective shots, build confidence and enjoy the game more.

4. Try to hit the tee

Since the ball is sitting on the tee, your goal should be to hit the tee after hitting the ball. Understanding that the club should come down to the ball, and go down a little bit after that, is important for strong communication.

It can even help to practice swinging and cutting off the tee without the ball. This helps eliminate the instinct to lift the ball in the air, which is one of the most common mistakes beginners make.

Learning to hit the tee continuously trains proper club movement and leads to cleaner contact, better ball travel and more enjoyable practice sessions.

5. Consider online courses

If an in-person course doesn't work, or if you're leaving the class feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, online courses are a great option.

Many instructors offer video analysis, which allows you to record your swing, post it and get personalized feedback that you can use during your next practice session.

The key is to get quality feedback. A few small adjustments can save you a lot of distance balls and help you improve much faster.