It’s easier and cheaper, than you think.

If you’re just getting started with golf, it’s natural to wonder: Where do I even go to practice? Do I need a membership? What do I do when I get there?

Good news: You don’t need a fancy country club to improve your game. In fact, most public golf courses welcome beginners and have designated areas where anyone can practice for free.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Find a Local Public Golf Course

Search “public golf course near me” and look for one with good reviews and practice areas.

Most public courses have:

• A driving range (to practice full swings)
• A putting green (to practice putts)
• A chipping area (to practice short shots)

Pro tip: You don’t need to be playing a full round to show up and practice. These areas are open to the public especially if you’re respectful and follow course etiquette.

2. What to Bring

You really only need a few things to practice:

• A few golf balls
• 1–3 clubs (a putter, a wedge, and an iron like a 7 or 8 is a great start)
• Sneakers
• Water and sunscreen (trust us on this one)

3. No Tee-Time Needed

You don’t need a reservation to use the practice areas. Just show up, find the practice zones, and start practicing. If you're confused on where they are located navigate to the pro shop and ask the golf pro. They will be able to help you out!

4. How do I practice?

Every golf course has three practice zones. Here’s what they are and exactly how to use each one.

Driving Range – Full Swings

This is where you practice hitting the ball far with your irons or woods. You'll want to use the provided range balls when you're hitting here. Range balls are usually a small fee and can be purchased at the pro shop.

Putting Green – Where Scores Are Made

This area simulates the greens you’ll find on the course and is perfect for practicing how to roll the ball toward the hole with control and consistency.

You’ll usually find multiple holes spread across the putting green so you can practice from different distances and angles.

Bring your own golf balls for this area. Unlike the driving range, putting greens don’t supply balls. A handful (3–5) is plenty.

Beginner Tips:

• Start close (3 feet away) and build confidence.
• Mix short and long putts to build feel.
• Use one ball and aim for consistency.

Try This: 10–15 minutes

Putt from 3 feet until you make 10 in a row. Then try a few longer putts (15–20 feet) and see how close you can get to the hole.

Chipping Area – Master the Short Game

Chipping is the skill of getting the ball onto the green from just off it. While the putting green might look similar, it’s important to note that most courses do not allow chipping on the putting green. This is because it’s too easy to damage the surface or accidentally send a ball toward someone practicing.

That’s why many courses have a designated chipping area, built specifically for practicing these shots safely and confidently. If you're not sure about the difference ask for help from the course pro shop.

Bring your own golf balls for this one. Unlike the driving range, chipping areas typically don’t supply balls. A small bag of 6–10 balls is perfect.

Beginner Tips:

• Use a wedge or short iron (like a pitching wedge).
• Aim for small targets, not just the hole.
• Keep your motion smooth and controlled, no full swings needed.

Try This: 10–15 minutes

Pick one target and try to land 10 chips within a hula hoop-sized circle. Then switch to a new target and repeat.

Final Tip: Just Show Up

Golf is one of those games where repetition is everything. The more often you touch a club even for 10 minutes, the faster you’ll improve. So don’t overthink it. Grab a few clubs, find a nearby course, and enjoy the process.

If you want to learn the different types of practices we suggest reading our more in depth article about practice routines. You can read that by click this link.