You don't need to play golf long to realize that it's an expensive pastime. A prime example of this can be found in golf training and swing aids. It seems if you want to drill and improve your game, it's going to cost you. There are, however, less expensive options for practicing different aspects of your game; some of them involve the use of an empty box.
Value
Golfers commonly go to the driving range and hit balls without any particular focus or goal. They often don't know what to concentrate on and figure that the activity of hitting golf balls itself will do at least some good. Specific golf drills can help you make the most of your practice time by keying on areas that need improvement. This is the purpose around which most training aids are built. Whether you use a training aid or not, drill work is an essential part of improvement for golfers of all levels.
Using a Cardboard Box
A cardboard box provides an inexpensive addition to your practice regimen. Any damage that happens to be inflicted on such a training aid is inconsequential. The box your golf clubs came in is an ideal type of box for the purposes of drilling--long and thin. If you no longer have that box, any cardboard box that approximates those dimensions will do. Make sure to remove any pieces of metal that may have helped to keep the box closed when it was still in use. While these won't do any serious damage to your clubs, they could nick or scratch them.
Addressing an Over-the-Top Move
Place the box so that its long end is aligned out toward your target, opposite where you take your stance. Position a ball 5 to 6 inches away from the box. Start hitting balls with your normal golf swing. If your swing is on plane--that is, following the correct path to hit the ball with the proper face angle--then the club will never make contact with the box. If you are coming over the top with your swing, your club will strike the box. Repeat the drill until you are able to reliably swing without contacting the box.
Addressing a Takeaway Too Far Inside
Lay the box flat, directly to the right of your stance--if you are a right-handed golfer--approximately 6 inches away from your right foot. Begin making normal swings. If the club comes in contact with the box on your takeaway, you are pulling the club too far inside of the proper swing path. The result of this error will be the inability to point the club down the target line at the top. Continue making swings until you are able to repeatedly complete your back swing without hitting the box.
Repetition
An important part of drill work is the necessary commitment of time and repetition. Most swing flaws that need addressing won't be adequately fixed with one or two sessions at the driving range. Nobody can tell for certain how long it takes for a given swing change to take root, but you should be prepared for the process to require multiple range visits. It's often said that being patience is the most difficult part of improving your golf game.
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