The 45-Minute Short Game Session

FGURE Practice Plan #002 | 45 Minutes | All Skill Levels

Stop hitting balls without a plan. Start practicing with a purpose.

You don't need three hours at the golf course to get better. You need a focused session, a little discipline, and a way to measure whether you're actually improving.

This week's FGURE Practice Plan focuses on three areas that can make a difference in your scoring: putting, chipping, and wedge distance control.

All you need is 45 minutes, a few golf balls, and a willingness to challenge yourself.

BLOCK 1 — PUTTING (15 MINUTES)

Objective: Improve short-putt confidence and distance control.

Drill 1: The 3-Foot Circle — 7 Minutes

Place four balls approximately three feet from the hole, at four different positions around it.

• Putt each ball once.

• Complete three rounds for 12 putts total.

• Count how many you make.

Target: Make at least 10 of 12.

Drill 2: Lag Putting — 8 Minutes

Find a relatively flat section of the practice green.

• Putt three balls from 20 feet.

• Putt three balls from 30 feet.

• Putt three balls from 40 feet.

• Try to finish every ball within three feet of the hole.

Target: Get at least 7 of 9 inside three feet.

BLOCK 2 — CHIPPING (15 MINUTES)

Objective: Improve contact, landing-spot control, and consistency around the green.

Drill: The 9-Ball Up-and-Down Challenge

Choose three different locations around the practice green:

• 3 balls from a straightforward fairway lie.

• 3 balls from the rough.

• 3 balls from a more challenging lie or angle.

For each ball, chip onto the green and then putt out.

Scoring:

• 2 points — Get up and down in two strokes.

• 1 point — Finish in three strokes.

• 0 points — Take four strokes or more.

Maximum score: 18 points.

Target: Earn at least 12 points.

Play each ball as it lies and finish it before moving to the next.

BLOCK 3 — WEDGE DISTANCE CONTROL (15 MINUTES)

Objective: Improve your ability to control carry distance with your scoring wedges.

Drill: The Three-Distance Challenge

Choose three reachable targets, ideally around 30, 50, and 70 yards away.

If those distances don't suit your skill level or practice facility, choose three safe, clearly marked distances that do.

Hit five balls toward each target.

Scoring:

• 2 points — Ball carries within 5 yards of the intended distance.

• 1 point — Ball carries within 10 yards, but outside 5.

• 0 points — Ball carries more than 10 yards short or long.

Maximum score: 30 points.

Target: Earn at least 20 points.

Measure carry distance rather than total roll whenever possible. If you cannot reliably judge carry distance, record the results as estimates and use the same method next time.

YOUR FGURE PRACTICE SCORE

At the end of the session, record your results.

Challenge	Your score	Maximum
3-Foot Putting	___	12
Lag Putting	___	9
Chipping Challenge	___	18
Wedge Control	___	30

Total possible: 69 points

For putting, award one point per successful putt. Use the scoring systems above for chipping and wedge control.

How Did You Do?

• 55–69: Strong session. Keep pushing.

• 40–54: Solid foundation. Identify your weakest area.

• 25–39: Plenty of room to improve. Stay consistent.

• 0–24: Start with the basics and build from there.

These are FGURE practice benchmarks, not official handicap or performance ratings.

THE CHALLENGE

Complete this session once this week.

Write down your scores, identify the block where you struggled most, and repeat the same session next week.

Don't change the rules to make your score look better.

The goal isn't to post an impressive number.

The goal is to beat your previous number.

That's how practice becomes progress.

FIGURE IT OUT.