Top Golf Drills to Improve Ball Striking Consistency

Most golfers know the frustration: some shots feel perfect, others misfire thin, fat, or off-line. The difference usually comes down to consistency in your swing fundamentals.

In his video “The Best Golf Drills to Improve Ball Striking”, Adam Bazalgette shares drills that help you groove better contact and reduce errant shots. In this blog, we will cover:

• A path so your swing becomes more repeatable
• The core problems behind mis-hits
• Drill-by-drill breakdowns
• Pro-level insights to speed your improvement

Why Ball Striking Consistency Matters

Poor ball striking shows up as thin shots, fat shots, sculled shots, or inconsistent trajectory.

When you strike well:

• You compress the ball for more distance
• You hit it straighter
• You gain confidence in your irons and wedges

Most mis-hits happen because the clubface is misaligned or the bottom of the swing arc is off. These drills aim to correct that.

Pro Examples & What They Teach Us 

Watching pros like Adam (or PGA-level players) swing isn’t just inspiring—it reveals patterns. In the video, Adam shows how great strikers keep a consistent bottom-of-swing and maintain clubface control.
Key takeaways:

• They load the club (create lag) before releasing
• They strike down on the ball, not scooping
• Their drills often reinforce the impact position

Use their style as a guide, not to copy exactly, but to understand how fundamentals translate to real swings.

Drill-by-Drill Breakdown 

Below are the drills Adam recommends (rephrased and expanded) to improve ball striking:

Drill 1: Half-Swing Impact Drill

• Set up: Use a mid-iron or 7-iron.
• Motion: Swing only halfway through. Pause at impact.
• Focus: Feel where your hands and clubface are at impact.
• Goal: Ensure you’re delivering the club face square and hands slightly ahead.

Drill 2: Tee Drill for Low Point Control

• Place a tee in the ground 1–2 inches in front of your ball (just off the turf).
• On your strike, try to hit the ball before you hit the tee.
• This ensures your low point is forward enough to avoid fat shots.

Drill 3: One-Arm Drill

• Use your lead arm only (right hand off if you’re right-handed).
• Swing with just your lead arm from the top to impact.
• Encourages body control and arms-body synchronization.

Drill 4: Slow-Motion Swings

• Take your full swing in super slow motion.
• Focus on positions: wrist hinge, top of backswing, downswing, impact, extension.
• Build muscle memory without speed interfering.

Tips during practice:

• Use alignment sticks or rods to guide the path
• Record your swing (video) to check impact positions
• Alternate between drills and full swings so the feel carries over

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

• Rushing the transition: Let the lag build; don’t throw your hands down early
• Scooping the ball: Avoid lifting or flipping; strike down
• Lack of impact awareness: Many golfers don’t know what “good contact” feels like
• Overdoing the drills: Don’t practice the drill exclusively; mix with full swings

Here’s Adam’s original video, so you can see the drills in action and follow along:

Watch the full video above to see Adam demonstrate each drill step-by-step. Want more structured training? Join Scratch Golf Academy for guided programs, coaching, and a full ball striking curriculum.

Conclusion 

Ball striking is a skill built on consistency, awareness, and thoughtful practice. These drills teach you how to control your low point, manage the clubface, and deliver solid contact repeatedly.

Embed the video, rotate through drills and full swings, focus on feel, and give yourself time. Over the weeks, your iron play will tighten up, and so will your scores.

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