Swinging on a Budget: The Least Expensive Ways to Practice Golf
Intro
Golf is often known as one of the most expensive sports to play. From equipment, clothing, green fees, and travel – things can add up quickly. Besides playing, if you want to practice golf, aspects such as range balls and lessons can burn a hole in your wallet.
However, there are ways to improve your game without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the least expensive ways to practice golf, making it accessible for enthusiasts on a budget.
Cheapest Ways to Practice Golf
- Indoor Putting Mat
- Public Course Putting Green
- Backyard Chipping Net
- Public Course Chipping Green
- Practice Hitting Net
- Driving Range Seasonal Pass
- Online Instruction
Putting
Putting is frequently an overlooked area of the game to practice. However, being dialed on the green will constantly shave strokes off your score. Not to mention it’s one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to practice.
Indoor Putting Mat
If you don’t want poor weather conditions stopping you from practicing your putting, then an indoor putting green is for you! There are plenty of options on Amazon, with prices ranging from $30 – $75. I particularly like the putting mats that have a ball return system so you can efficiently practice. There are also mats that have guidelines on them so you can focus on creating a straight and repeatable stroke.
Public Course Putting Green
Discover a fantastic cost-free putting practice option by heading to your nearby public golf course! Many public courses feature convenient putting greens near the clubhouse, often available without requiring a tee time. Ensure to reach out to local public courses in your area and confirm the availability of their putting greens without the need for a tee time reservation.
Putting on Carpet at Home
There’s also a free alternative to putting at home! Set up a small object that resembles the size of a golf hole (4.25 inches in width), place some golf balls varying in distance from your target, and swing away! For an even harder challenge, try using golf balls as your target. Carpet usually roles at a slower pace than typical greens, so keep that in mind.
Chipping
Being skilled around the greens is an essential ability for scoring. Like putting, chipping is a fantastic way to work on your golf improvement in a low-cost way.
Backyard Chipping Net
After an inexpensive purchase of a chipping net, you can work on your chipping throughout most of the year. Chipping nets on Amazon range from $20 – $50. If you’re worried about making divots in your yard, pairing a chipping net with a cheap golf-hitting mat will ensure you can practice with no damage to your lawn.
Backyard chipping contests with family and friends are loads of fun too!
Public Course Chipping Green
Do you want to take your chipping practice to a more realistic environment? Chipping greens at your local public course is the way to do it! Similar to putting greens, chipping greens are generally free and do not require a tee time to use. Call some local courses in your area to see what kind of chipping facilities they offer. Some public courses have entire holes where you can practice chip and pitch shots from varying distances.
Indoor Foam Balls
You can even work on your short game from the comfort of your home! Set up a target and hit some chip shots with foam balls off of a golf-hitting mat! You’ll likely be restricted in terms of distances here, but it’s still a very cost-friendly way to get better at the game you love!
Full Swings
Full swings with irons, woods, hybrids, and drivers are the most challenging when it comes to cost. However, there are fantastic methods for improving your swing if you’re on a budget.
Practice Net
Probably the best alternative to a driving range is setting up a practice net in your garage or yard. You can snag a golf-hitting net on Amazon for as low as $70. You can also build your own hitting net by using PVC pipes and netting.
Driving Range Pass
Do you hate spending $20 every time you venture to your local driving range? Many courses and driving range facilities offer seasonal passes at a discounted rate! I recently purchased a $300 range pass that’s good from March 1st to November 30th! Calculate how often you plan on going to the driving range and compare the price of a pass to the fee of a bucket of balls. Usually, if you go to the range at least once a week, a seasonal pass is the cheaper option.
Online Tutorials and Videos
In the digital age, there’s a wealth of instructional content available online. Many professional golfers and coaches share tips and tutorials for free on platforms like YouTube. Take advantage of these resources to refine your technique and gain valuable insights into improving your game without spending a dime.
I find it most helpful to record your swing from different angles and compare your mechanics to what is taught by professionals online.
Conclusion
Mastering golf on a budget is not only achievable but also easy and within reach. Engaging in the sport we love is immensely enjoyable as well! Whether it’s putting, chipping, or perfecting full swings, you can enhance your skills without the concern of overspending.
