Devan Bonebrake: Junior Golf Tips
Devan Bonebrake, from Carlsbad, CA, gives us several golf drills that you can do to help your junior golfer get better while having fun!
Part of the Golf Channel Academy, Devan Bonebrake was recently named to Golf Digest’s list of “Best Young Teachers in America”. He is here to show us a couple of drills that can really help your junior golfer/s (specifically in the short game areas).
Leave It in the Attic Drill
The Leave It in the Attic Drill is a great game for juniors to practice their putting. To set up the drill, Devan creates an “attic” of golf clubs around the hole, denoting the area where he wants the ball to land. His goal is to make the putt, or if he misses, to leave it in the attic.
Devan explains that the drill is a great way to practice distance control and to understand that speed is the most important factor in making a putt. He also notes that if he misses, he has to start over.
Ladder Drill
The Ladder Drill is a great game for juniors to practice their chipping. To set up the drill, Devan places two golf clubs at different distances from the hole. His goal is to hit the ball between the two clubs, and then move up and down the ladder. If he misses, he has to start over.
Devan explains that the drill is a great way to practice risk and reward, and to get used to the feeling of pressure on the golf course. He also notes that it’s a great way to perfect chipping and get up and down more often.
Spiral Putting Drill
The Spiral Putting Drill is a terrific game for juniors to practice their short putting. To set up the drill, Devan places balls at four, five, six, seven, and eight feet in a spiral. His goal is to make all five putts in 25 holes.
Devan explains that the drill is a great way to practice the routine of a putt on the golf course. He also notes that it’s a great way to see how good a junior’s short putting is.