Are Wiffle Balls Good for Golf Practice? (Explained)
Golf is great, but it takes a long time to play and requires some other “perfect” conditions.
Lack of money, time, bad weather, and other reasons can also stand in our way of the golf practice. I sometimes have to look for alternatives to practice the swing in my courtyard. Are wiffle balls good golf practice?
Wiffle balls are an excellent choice for home practice, especially in tight spaces. They allow the player to work on pitch and chip shots and make firm contact with the ball. Additionally, wiffle balls are soft and don’t travel far, so you don’t have to deal with broken windows or bother the neighbors.
- 12-pack of durable, lightweight practice golf balls.
- Solid, non-toxic polyurethane resists splits and cracks.
- 40mm diameter, 26 holes for true spin and distance.
This article explains why wiffle balls are good for golf practice, the distance these balls travel, and other non-wiffle options. You will also learn some interesting golf practice drills with wiffle balls.
Are Wiffle Balls Good to Practice Golf?
While Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas have graduated from practicing with wiffle balls, beginners and other handicap players can benefit greatly from them.
These soft balls enable them to perfect their swings on the course and at home without using actual golf balls. Wiffle balls also come in handy whenever I want to have some golf action, but can’t make it because of rough weather or distance.
I always say that any tool that assists golfers achieve their objectives and improve their performance is worth it.
Foam balls can help beginners improve their swing. Here are some reasons why a wiffle ball is suitable for practicing golf;
- Cheap compared to ordinary balls, enabling golfers to buy a lot and avoid running out while at play
- Allows golfers to get used to hitting balls in close quarters or confined areas such as inside the garage or tiny backyards
- Perfect for indoor golf practice in rough weather such as rain or winter
- Enable players to develop hand-eye coordination needed to hit a golf ball because wiffle balls provide a wing target
- Great for fixing hooks and curing slices because they have identical flight paths with the typical golf balls
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What Are Some Wiffle Golf Ball Drills?
Wiffle golf ball drills include;
Low Point Control
This drill aims to improve the low point control of your swings, which is fundamental to any player who wants to succeed in golf. Follow the steps below to complete this drill;
- Put the wiffle ball on the line.
- Draw a line 2-3 yards long with some yard paint.
- The goal is to have your turf start on the target side of your line.
- Assess your success rate 20 times and write it down.
- Continue to hit the ball and try to control your lows and into the ground.
Complete this drill daily for several weeks
Stock Shot Drill
The following drill enables you to improve the control of the start line and the ball curve;
- Place an alignment stick on the ground approximately 12 to 15 feet ahead of you inside your target line
- Place a second alignment stick down approximately 2 to 4 feet to the right of the initial alignment stick
- Place the wiffle ball down and try to hit it in between the two alignment sticks
- Remember to assess your success after every 20 shots
- Note the numbers down and use the practice in your entire golf life
Always remember that the elite golfers have an average score of 15 out of 20
Chipping Drill
How well you do your chip shots on the green determines the success of the putt. Chipping wiffle balls allows you to improve your game. Here is how to complete the drill:
- Get yourself several wiffle balls
- Practice making various shots
- Work with several clubs taking different length shots
I especially love doing the chipping routine in my spacious garage in winter.
The practice has enabled me to attain consistency in hitting solid chip shots. Wiffle balls also provide credible feedback on the contact quality and how high the chip shots go.
The chipping drill is safe for in-house practice since you don’t get to break things. With enough time and commitment, you should develop a customized system that works for you.
Curve Control Drill
Golf ball curve control is another fundamental step to the success of your golf career.
It’s okay for beginners to hit draws and fades interchangeably, but you should learn fast before your golf career starts plummeting. This wiffle ball practice drill is meant to improve golf ball curve control.
- Practice hitting specific shot shapes designating 20 to 30 swings to each shape
- Once you have attained some level of success working on the front curving, try it in reverse
- Once you have succeeded in the front and reverse, make 10 swings for each curve direction
- Lastly, try hitting one draw, followed by one fade back and forth for 10 consecutive swings
How Far Will a Wiffle Golf Ball Travel?
Depending on how hard you make that shot, foam balls can have a flight distance of anywhere between 30 and 40 yards.
They can also fly as high as 100 feet. Additionally, a wedge shot option can increase the above distance by approximately 15 to 20 yards.
The bottom line is that wiffle balls are good for golf practice and save you from paying unnecessary reparations or the embarrassment of getting your golf balls off other peoples’ property.
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Can You Practice with Plastic Golf Balls That Are Not Wiffle?
The answer to this question depends on the size of your backyard and other options at your disposal.
You can use the traditional golf balls if you can access a golf course or have open spaces large enough and far away from other people’s homes.
I prefer using plastic practice golf balls whenever I cannot access foam wiffle balls. They are mostly made of ethylene plastic and covered with dimples, just like traditional golf balls.
However, they are hollow and don’t travel far, making them perfect for small spaces just like their foam counterparts.
Plastic golf balls are the best for backyard use because they are cheap and don’t pose any significant hazard to people or property. However, non-wiffle practice golf balls are hollow, making them wind sensitive.
Lastly, they are not durable, and you get zero feel with these ethylene golf practice balls.
Final Thoughts
The best way to get better at golf is to practice. There is no way around it.
But I don’t usually have time to go play a round for four hours. Or even have the money to play consistently.
So having an option like a plastic wiffle ball I can get off of Amazon helps with keeping my swing during the winter months and other times I cannot play officially.
