The drill library

9 holes without a driver

90 min 9 reps Difficulty ●●○○○
Goal: Play for position, not distance — cut down the wild drive

How to do it

Play 9 holes using at most a long iron or hybrid off the tee — never the driver. Before every shot, decide WHERE you want the ball to end up first, then pick the club — not the other way around. Track how many shots you save by staying out of the rough and fairway bunkers.

What fault it fixes

Course management: the forced drive
Not a swing fault — it's a strategy call: reaching for the driver off the tee out of habit, not out of odds.

Frequently asked questions

What is the "9 holes without a driver" drill for?

Play for position, not distance — cut down the wild drive

How do you do the "9 holes without a driver" drill?

Play 9 holes using at most a long iron or hybrid off the tee — never the driver. Before every shot, decide WHERE you want the ball to end up first, then pick the club — not the other way around. Track how many shots you save by staying out of the rough and fairway bunkers.

How long does the "9 holes without a driver" drill take?

About 90 minutes per session, 9 reps.

Sources

Train this drill with Birdia's AI coach →