Whether you’re chasing a new personal best, trying to win a competition, or just trying to beat your mates, there are ways to improve golf at home. From swing trainers to sneaky stretches, there’s plenty you can do without even stepping foot on a course. Not only will you stay sharp between rounds, but you’ll build habits that genuinely translate into better scores.
We’ve tested some of the best tools and techniques you can try without the weather ruining your plans. Golf Pro Ross Davies shares his expert tips throughout, so you’ll know exactly what works and why. Ready to level up your game from the comfort of your living room?
The precision of the putting machine – £13.99 – Amazon
If there’s one part of your game that always needs love, it’s putting. Practising your short game is a brilliant way to improve golf at home. A putting machine adds a level of feedback and challenge that traditional mats often lack. Most models return the ball automatically, allowing for smooth repetition and faster sessions. Some even simulate different speeds and slopes, making it feel like you’re on the green. As Ross Davies says, “A good putting machine builds confidence and consistency. It’s like having a coach in your living room.”
Putting machines are ideal for developing rhythm and feedback without resetting after every stroke. The continuous return system means more reps and less faff, helping you groove your stroke quickly. Visual targets and adjustable difficulty help train both pace and aim under different conditions. You’ll start to notice how your stroke behaves under pressure and build confidence in your line. Using a machine also makes it easier to track progress over time. As Ross adds, “The instant feedback makes your practice more focused and more effective.”
There’s a huge mental benefit too. Knowing you’ve hit 50 quality putts in one focused session creates a real sense of achievement. The simplicity of setup means you can use it daily without thinking twice. It’s one of the easiest ways to develop discipline and trackable improvement from home. For those who like structure and purpose, it’s an ideal solution. Ross concludes, “It removes excuses and replaces them with results. That’s the secret to shaving strokes.”
Learn clean strikes with a divot mat – £29.99 – Amazon
Hitting down on the ball properly is essential for ball-first contact and crisp iron play. A divot mat helps you train this fundamental skill by showing where your club strikes the ground. It provides instant feedback, helping correct fat or thin shots before they become habits. You’ll start to build a more efficient low point in your swing arc with regular use. It’s surprisingly fun too, and incredibly satisfying to see a clean patch every time. As Ross Davies explains, “A divot mat is a reality check. It shows you exactly what’s going wrong.”
The divot mat doesn’t lie. Unlike feel-based guessing, this tool gives visual proof of your impact position. The wear mark tells a story of your swing path and angle of attack. If the mark is behind the ball, you’re scooping or lifting. If it’s ahead and clean, you’re compressing properly and striking like a pro. Ross says, “You’re building muscle memory for solid contact. That’s gold for your handicap.”
Consistency is everything in iron play, and this tool builds it quickly. It’s quiet, compact, and suitable for garage, hallway, or garden use. Combine it with slow-motion reps to lock in your ideal motion. As Ross puts it, “Most amateurs would improve overnight if they knew where they were striking. This makes it crystal clear.”
Control your swing with the Tour Striker Smart Ball – £44.21 – Amazon
This unusual-looking ball tucks between your forearms and changes the way you swing forever. It forces connection between the arms and body, stopping the dreaded flappy elbow move. You’ll feel a more compact, controlled swing almost immediately. This leads to straighter shots, better compression, and a tour-style finish. It’s one of the smartest ways to improve golf at home because the feeling it creates is unforgettable. Ross Davies says, “The smart ball promotes the connected swing we’re all trying to teach.”
Without that early release or chicken wing, your shots become more repeatable. The ball punishes lazy swings and rewards those with good structure and tempo. Use it in slow practice first, then gradually build speed. It’s also brilliant for chipping and pitching drills. You’re basically training the moves elite players have mastered for decades. “It’s a feedback tool and a coach in one,” says Ross.
Because it’s inflatable and soft, it’s safe to use indoors and light enough to carry in your bag. Five minutes a day with the smart ball can totally reshape your swing DNA. If you tend to break down at impact, this will sort you out. It’s not a gimmick. “It gives players the feel of a pro swing,” Ross notes. “That’s a huge breakthrough.”
The rhythm builder: Orange whip swing trainer – £99.95 – Amazon
The Orange Whip is a classic for a reason. It’s a long, flexible training club that helps you groove tempo and timing naturally. It’s ideal for warming up, building strength, and smoothing out jerky transitions. Because of its weighted end and bendy shaft, it exaggerates flaws in your motion. The goal is fluidity, balance, and coordination, all of which are essential to lower scores. “The Orange Whip is brilliant for ingraining feel and flow,” says Ross Davies.
As a home training tool, it ticks a lot of boxes. You can use it in small spaces with short swings or go full swing in the garden. It helps you develop a powerful move without over-swinging or rushing from the top. Many players who struggle with rhythm or early release swear by it. It’s also great for building core strength and range of motion. Ross adds, “It shows you what a good swing should feel like, not just look like.”
For anyone trying to improve golf at home, this is a top-tier tool. It turns boring reps into something dynamic and effective. There’s no substitute for real-world tempo, and this gets you as close as possible. “The swing becomes effortless,” says Ross. “That’s when you know you’re improving.”
Loosen up with the hip flexor stretch
Many amateur golfers overlook how vital mobility is to performance. Tight hips restrict rotation and can cause swaying or early extension. A hip flexor stretch is one of the simplest ways to improve golf at home through flexibility. It unlocks your ability to turn fully and powerfully without stress on the lower back. Done daily, it can improve your posture, rotation, and even your strike consistency. Ross Davies says, “Hip flexibility affects every part of your swing. Most people don’t realise how much.”
The stretch is easy to learn and needs no equipment. Just kneel on one leg, push the hips gently forward, and hold for 30 seconds. You’ll feel the release in your front hip, and over time, range of motion improves. This helps create coil and load during the backswing and smooth hip clearance through impact. It’s brilliant for anyone who feels stuck or stiff during the swing. “It gives you freedom to move how your swing wants to move,” Ross explains.
You don’t need to be a yoga master to benefit. Just ten minutes a day will bring noticeable improvements within weeks. Combine it with swing drills for best results. If you’ve got an office job, this stretch is an absolute must. Ross adds, “Mobility is the foundation of power. Ignore it and your game will always hit a ceiling.”
Ease pain and boost control with the wrist flexor stretch
Your wrists play a major role in creating lag, squaring the face, and delivering clean contact. If your wrists are tight, it’s harder to load and release the club properly. A wrist flexor stretch targets those underused muscles and improves your grip comfort. Over time, it also reduces the risk of strain, especially in colder weather. It’s one of the most underrated ways to improve golf at home and feel better while playing. Ross Davies says, “Wrist mobility gives you finesse and control. It’s a sneaky game-changer.”
To do the stretch, extend one arm out straight with the palm facing up. Use your opposite hand to gently pull the fingers down and back. Hold for 30 seconds, then switch sides. You’ll feel the stretch along your forearm and into your wrist joint. Done regularly, it helps with clubface control and release timing. “It’s like oiling the hinge,” Ross explains. “It makes everything smoother.”
Tension in the hands and wrists can cause slices, hooks, and inconsistent contact. This stretch keeps things loose and responsive without sacrificing strength. Combine it with short game drills for even greater benefit. Most people are amazed at how different their grip feels after just a week. “A fluid wrist is the secret sauce to better feel,” says Ross.
Open up your upper body with the shoulder wall stretch
A tight upper back makes it hard to rotate fully and stay on plane during the swing. The shoulder wall stretch is a brilliant way to open up your chest and shoulders. Stand with your back against a wall and slowly raise your arms into a goalpost shape. Try to keep elbows and wrists against the wall as you slide them up and down. It looks simple, but it reveals just how locked up many golfers really are. Ross Davies says, “If your shoulders can’t rotate properly, your swing will always fight you.”
By repeating the movement each day, you gradually improve thoracic spine mobility. This lets you maintain posture and spine angle through the swing. It also helps with shoulder turn and follow-through mechanics. For anyone who sits at a desk, it’s an absolute essential. You’ll start to feel more freedom in your backswing and better extension in your finish. “It trains both flexibility and awareness,” Ross explains.
This is the type of stretch that feels awkward at first but addictive after a few days. It’s great after long drives or gym sessions too. When combined with hip and wrist stretches, it creates a balanced, mobile body. If you’ve ever struggled to ‘stay connected,’ this could be your fix. “Mobility equals consistency,” says Ross. “The more you can move, the less you need to force it.”
Combining tools for faster results
While each training aid is useful alone, combining them can supercharge your progress. A session with the Orange Whip followed by the smart ball is a perfect pairing. One teaches tempo, the other reinforces structure. Finish with some putts on the mat and you’ve worked your whole game. Stretching before and after helps lock in those new movement patterns. “Layering your training creates long-lasting change,” says Ross Davies.
You don’t need hours every day to see improvement. Ten to fifteen minutes with a purpose is better than an hour of unfocused effort. Rotate the equipment you use to keep it fresh and engaging. Keep a weekly plan so you hit every area over time. Treat it like mini training camps at home, and you’ll start seeing the benefits on the course. Ross says, “Consistency over time beats intensity once in a while.”
Think of your living room, garage or garden as your own private academy. It’s your space to experiment, improve and have fun without pressure. No need for dress codes, tee times, or green fees. Just pure, focused improvement on your own terms. “Golf should be joyful,” Ross reminds us. “Home practice puts the joy back into getting better.”
Build better habits that stick
By training at home, you remove the obstacles that usually hold golfers back. There’s no excuse not to do ten minutes before dinner or during lunch. It becomes part of your day, not a separate event that needs planning. That’s how habits form and stick. You’re always reinforcing good technique without needing to grind. Ross Davies says, “If you make it easy, you’ll do it. And if you do it often, you’ll improve.”
Repetition builds confidence. Confidence builds performance. And performance leads to lower scores. The more you do at home, the more you trust your swing when it matters. That’s the real goal behind any training tool or stretch. “Better at home means better on the course,” says Ross.
Once you’ve built that routine, it’s almost impossible to go backwards. You’ll start seeing missed fairways as rare mistakes, not the norm. Chips feel softer, putts feel firmer, and full shots fly how you imagined them. Even just swinging in front of a mirror can bring breakthroughs. As Ross puts it, “It’s the everyday stuff that separates players. And home is where that happens.”
Why flexibility is just as important as equipment
If your body can’t move, your technique suffers no matter how hard you train. That’s why the stretches we’ve covered are just as vital as any mat or gadget. They improve your range of motion, reduce risk of injury, and help your swing feel natural. You can do them while watching TV, brushing your teeth, or before bed. The key is consistency and attention to form. Ross Davies says, “A flexible golfer is a dangerous golfer. They move better, swing better, and recover quicker.”
Equipment fine-tunes your motion, but flexibility sets the foundation. When both improve together, your game takes a real leap forward. Stretching is also a mental break, letting you slow down and focus. That helps with visualisation and patience during real rounds. It’s a small effort for a big reward. “No one ever regretted being more mobile,” says Ross.
Most swing flaws come from restrictions rather than bad intent. The shoulder doesn’t turn enough, or the hip locks halfway through. Fix that, and you fix your swing. That’s why every pro has a mobility routine. Now you do too. Ross finishes with, “If you want to improve golf at home, start with how your body moves.”
Smart fuel with porridge
You can’t swing your best on an empty tank. Porridge is one of the best breakfasts for golfers wanting sustained energy. It releases carbs slowly, keeping you full and focused for hours. Add fruit or nuts for extra nutrients and longer-lasting fuel. It’s simple, affordable and easy to make part of your daily routine. Ross Davies says, “What you eat fuels how you play. Porridge sets you up perfectly.”
Starting your day with porridge means fewer energy crashes mid-round. It helps with focus, patience and decision-making on the course. The oats are great for digestion and blood sugar balance too. You won’t get the same spike and drop you’d see with sugary cereals. That means steadier performance from first tee to final putt. Ross adds, “A smart breakfast gives you a calm mind and a strong body.”
Eating porridge regularly also helps build healthy habits off the course. You’re fuelling your training and recovery with intention. Combine it with morning stretches or swing drills for maximum benefit. It supports consistency in energy and attitude. “Elite golfers take nutrition seriously,” Ross explains. “Porridge is a brilliant first step.”
Long-lasting energy from wholegrain pasta
Wholegrain pasta is ideal for golfers looking to sustain energy over multiple hours. Unlike white pasta, it’s packed with fibre and digests more slowly. This keeps your blood sugar steady and avoids late-round slumps. It also pairs well with lean proteins and vegetables for a balanced meal. It’s brilliant the night before a long round or practice day. Ross Davies says, “Think of wholegrain pasta as fuel. It keeps your tank full longer.”
Eating well supports focus and stamina. When your body feels good, your decision-making improves too. Wholegrain pasta helps you stay in the moment, not distracted by hunger or fatigue. It supports muscle recovery and keeps you hydrated longer. You’ll feel more stable and consistent across the full 18 holes. Ross adds, “It’s not just about training. It’s about fuelling the work you do.”
Nutrition often gets ignored by weekend golfers. But making better choices pays off fast. If you want to improve golf at home, the plate is just as important as the swing. Wholegrain carbs help with both training and performance. “Eat like a golfer and you’ll play like one,” says Ross.
The GolfTimes verdict
Training at home used to mean awkward mirror swings and putting into a mug. Not anymore. With high quality gear and smarter routines, golfers can now make serious progress without leaving the house. From putting mats to smart balls, there’s something for every swing, budget, and space. Add in mobility work, and you’ve got a full training setup in your front room. These aren’t gimmicks. They’re genuine game changers when used properly.
We love how accessible this approach is. It’s not about fancy clubs or memberships. It’s about working smart and staying consistent. If you want to improve golf at home, you’ve now got the roadmap. We’re backing the gear, the stretches, and the methods. Now it’s your turn to swing into action.
