GOLF NEWS - If you, as a golfer, are at home twiddling your thumbs during lockdown because you can't get out on the golf course, well, the good news is you can still keep up the game at home. 

While it is, admittedly, not golf in the true sense of the word, it's the perfect place to fine-tune the tiny details of your game that have proved to be the kinks in your play come time to perform on the course. 

Here are five ways to iron out those kinks:

1. Even out your putting: We've all been there. You've just bombed a humdinger of a drive down the middle of the fairway and followed it up with a stunning approach shot before missing a terribly easy putt. Work on that by placing a metre of masking tape on the floor in a straight line, then hit short putts along the tape, using the tape as a guide for the path of the putter through the ball, keeping the putter square all the way through. Accelerate, at least slightly, through the ball.
2. Indoor chipping drills: If you haven't been let down by your putting before, you've definitely been let down by your wedges around the green. Well, whether off an artificial mat or carpet, you can practise short chips to a target. Get the feel of striking solid chips and consistently flying the ball a short distance with a few lofted clubs. One drill is to place a small towel a couple metres away, landing your chips on the towel.
3. Getting a grip of things: If you've ever had your club fly out your hands post-impact or felt the club turn in your hands as you strike the ball, you know the importance of gripping your club correctly. Improve your grip by using a mirror or window to set up what feels like your "natural" grip and posture. Check these against some textbook examples and tweak as necessary. You'll want to practise your ideal grip and posture over and over again, until it feels like second nature.
4. Swing a heavy/weighted club: You know that thing we golfers like to do where we swing two irons simultaneously before a round? This is the same principle, just more long term. "If you can do 25 to 50 swings a day with a heavy club, I find it makes a big difference," said PGA head club professional Kevin Piecuch, according to GolfDiscount.com. "My students who have done that have increased club speed by 2 or 3m/h (3 or 4km/h) over a three-month period, which is equivalent to 15 to 20 yards (13-18m) off the tee."
5. Watch golf: Not only is it entertaining but you can learn a lot by watching the pros. Copy their technique, where applicable, and channel their swing tempo. Study their course management and decision-making. While watching, try killing two birds with one stone by giving tip number three a go.

– Drills courtesy of Golf Insider UK and Golf Discount

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