How to Make Golf Practice More Engaging—And Actually Fun
By Ryan Williams, Woodbridge Player Development Professional
Every golfer, at some point, falls into the trap of feeling like practice is a chore—or at the very least, not as engaging as it should be. I know I’ve been there.
The summer before I moved to Sacramento to play college golf, I had an unusual experience at San Joaquin Country Club. The course had lost greens one through fourteen, leaving only the final four holes with temporary greens. For weeks on end, I played the same four holes, occasionally changing tees, but the novelty quickly wore off.
This led me to fall into a bad habit: I spent too much time working on my swing and not enough on scoring, shot-making, or competitive play. My college career got off to a slow start, and I learned a tough lesson about how not to prepare for golf at a high level.
A New Way to Practice: The Stack System
Recently, my twin brother, Alex, invested in the Stack System, a speed training program that comes with a club-like device and an app that designs custom workouts based on user goals.
After just three months, Alex increased his clubhead speed from 108 mph to 118 mph. Naturally, I couldn’t let him out-drive me, so I gave it a shot too.
In just one month, I’ve gained 4 mph. But what’s more interesting is how it works. The Stack Radar connects via Bluetooth to the app, giving instant feedback on swing speed. Every swing is tracked, and seeing that “New Speed Record” notification has made practice sessions surprisingly addictive.
It’s Not Just About Speed
The Stack System also includes Putting and Wedge components:
- Putting: You hole out 18 putts from different distances, measuring “Strokes Gained Putting” against players of similar skill.
- Wedge Work: Focuses on distance control, rewarding you for how accurately you hit your target yardage.
Why am I such a fan of this system? Because my practice now feels structured and competitive. I can knock out a speed session, move on to wedges, and finish with putting—all in 90 minutes. It’s the opposite of the aimless tinkering I used to do, and it’s helping me stay focused and motivated.
No Stack? No Problem! Try These Fun Practice Games
You don’t need high-tech gear to bring structure and fun into your golf practice. Try these creative games next time you’re at the club:
Putting: “10-Point Game”
Setup: Place 5 tees in a circle, 10 feet from the hole.
How to Play: Start at one tee, hole out completely, then rotate to the next.
Scoring:
- 2 points for a 1-putt
- 0 points for a 2-putt near the hole
- -1 point for a 2-putt where the first was short
- -3 points for a 3-putt
🎯 Goal: Score 10 points in as few strokes as possible. Try for a Perfect Game by one-putting from all five tees!
Short Game: “Up and Down” Challenges
- Option 1: 9 Holes Up and Down
Play from 9 different locations around the green. Keep score until you hole out each time. - Option 2: Up and Down Streak
See how many locations in a row you can get up and down in two strokes or fewer.
Driving Range: “Brady Riggs 3-Ball Pressure Game”
Goal: Score 5 points using 3 shots.
Setup: Create a “desired zone” target, a “trouble side,” and a “safe miss” area.
Scoring:
- 3 points for hitting the desired zone
- -5 points if you hit the trouble side
- 1 point for a slight miss on the safe side
- 0 points for a wide miss on the safe side
Change the zones or clubs to keep it fresh and challenging.
If there’s a specific area of your game that’s giving you trouble—or you just want to add some structure and fun to your routine—I’m happy to help. Let’s build a custom practice plan that keeps you excited to improve.
⛳ Ready to Take Your Game (and Practice) to the Next Level?
Contact Kristine Roberson, Membership Director at Woodbridge Golf & Country Club, to learn more about how club membership can support your golf journey.
📧 Email: kroberson@woodbridgegcc.com
📞 Phone: 209-263-0115
Or stop by the office—we’d love to chat!
