Hitting shots with one hand might seem odd, but one-handed drills are a favourite of coaches and good players. They expose what each hand is doing, improve feel and help the body, arms and club work together. You don't need to hit full shots: short swings, chips and putts are where these drills shine.
Why one-handed drills work
- Expose faults: a dominant trail hand or a weak lead wrist becomes obvious.
- Improve sequence: you can't hit a one-handed shot well with arms alone; the body must turn.
- Build feel: especially for distance control around the greens.
Putting drills
- Lead hand only: stroke short putts with the lead hand, keeping the wrist stable.
- Trail hand only: feel the putter release and roll the ball smoothly.
Read how to hole more short putts.
Chipping drills
- Lead hand only: keep the lead wrist firm and the hands ahead; avoid flicking.
- Trail hand only: feel the club's bounce and how the trail hand controls the face.
Read how to chip in golf.
Swing drills
Lead-arm swings
Grip down on a 9-iron or wedge. Make half swings with the lead arm only, turning your body through. It trains a connected swing and a flat lead wrist at impact. Read the impact position.
Trail-arm swings
Make half swings with the trail arm only, feeling the release and how the trail arm folds and extends. It helps golfers who cast or block. Read how to release the golf club.
Alternating
Hit one ball lead-hand, one ball trail-hand, then one with both hands, trying to reproduce the feelings.
Safety
- Use a short club and grip down.
- Small swings at low speed.
- Stop if you feel wrist or elbow strain. Read golfer's elbow and wrist pain.
Building them into practice
Use one-handed drills for five to ten minutes at the start of a session, then move to normal shots. Read our driving range practice plan.
Frequently asked questions
Do professionals use one-handed drills?
Many do, especially for chipping, pitching and putting.
Which hand should I practise with?
Both: lead hand for stability and rotation, trail hand for release and feel.
Can I hit full shots with one hand?
It's not necessary; half swings are more useful and safer.
How often should I do one-handed drills?
A few minutes in most practice sessions is enough.
The bottom line
One-handed drills reveal what each hand does, improve sequence and build feel. Start with putts and chips, progress to half swings and blend the feelings into your normal swing. For more drills, read alignment stick drills.