Whether you’re new to junior golf or have a “seasoned” junior golfer on your hands, you’ve likely realized the spring and summer seasons are the busy seasons for practice, tournaments, and playing for school teams. Add in coaching sessions and tournament travel and sometimes junior golf can feel like a full-time job.
While I wouldn’t trade the hustle and bustle of those times, I do enjoy the transition into fall golf. This season can look quite different for your junior golfer, so let’s dive into how they can make the most of this time as the weather and schedules change.
Develop a more efficient practice schedule
Getting into the back-to-school routine and shorter daylight hours typically means a new practice schedule.These impact practice sessions in a major way because you’re naturally limited on the amount of time available on the course.
When this happens, you may find it makes the most sense to dedicate each day to specific focus areas. While it may be tempting to focus on hitting balls for two hours straight, developing a practice schedule to make the most of the limited time is key.
So what would this look like? Here are a few examples of making the most of shortened practice or playing sessions.
Short game focus (60 to 75 mins after school)
- Putting (20 mins): Start with 3 to 5 ft putts (make 50 total), then do lag putting drills from 20–40 ft.
- Chipping (20 mins): Vary lies and clubs, landing balls on a towel or target circle
- Pitching (20 to 25 mins): Work on distances from 30–60 yards
- Wrap-up (5 to 10 mins): End with pressure drill — “up and down” to finish before heading home
Full swing (75 to 90 mins)
- Warm-up (10 mins): Stretching and light speed stick or resistance band work.
- Range session (45 to 60 mins)
- Start with wedges (50% swings, controlled distances)
- Move to mid-irons, then drivers
- Play “9-hole course” on the range — pick targets, keep score
On-course practice (9 holes if possible)
- Play a short round focusing on course management and pre-shot routine
- Track fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts
- If daylight is limited, play 6 holes or do an “on-course practice,” dropping balls in tough spots (bunkers, rough, sidehill lies)
Light range and relaxed practice (45 mins)
- Keeping it light after a long school week
- Play games on the range like “closest to the pin” or “call your shot”
- End with 15 minutes of putting challenges (must make 10 in a row before leaving)
Full practice/play day (2 to 3 hrs)
- Warm-up and range session (45–60 mins)
- Short game session (45–60 mins)
- Play 9 to 18 holes depending on time/season
Active recovery and mental game (30 to 45 mins)
- Light putting at home on a mat or carpet
- Review stats from the week (fairways, greens, putts)
- Visualize shots, set weekly goals, watch a favorite golfer’s highlights for inspiration
- Optional light workout (mobility, stretching)
Another option is focusing on one particular part of the game each day, such as irons, putting, chipping, or wedge work, then playing 9 to 18 holes two days a week.
The point is, each day should have a purpose, especially since the time is more limited. Having a schedule helps them stay focused and supports their overall goals.
Incorporate strength and flexibility exercises
Fall is also a fantastic time to focus on strength and flexibility exercises. I’m certainly not a fitness expert, but I do know you can move most of the exercises indoors, which is perfect for cooler temps.
Even with a busy school and golf schedule, junior golfers can fit in short bursts of strength and flexibility work. Just 10 to 15 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week, can make a big difference and we’ve seen this with our son. Think bodyweight exercises like squats, planks, and push-ups, paired with stretches for hips, shoulders, and hamstrings. These quick sessions build core stability and can support a smoother, more powerful golf swing.
Look for fun fall tournaments
Shorter days and cooler temperatures don’t mean putting off tournaments until the next spring. In fact, some of my favorite junior golf tournaments we’ve ever attended took place September through December.
As our son grew, we found waiting from summer until spring of the next year was too long in between, so this meant finding something that would fit. While it’s more challenging working one around busy school activities and holidays, it can keep them from getting rusty.
One of our favorite tournaments as a family was the “Bullet & Peggy Bell Thanksgiving Classic at Pine Needles and Mid Pines, which still takes place today. This is one of hundreds of examples of tournaments available during the fall and early winter. If you need help with your schedule then make sure you check out Junior Golf Hub’s Tournament Finder where you can search by state, tour, age, and many other criteria.
Set goals for this season and start looking ahead
We often talk of setting big goals for a year, but having goals for a particular season or shorter time frame can have its benefits too. These can be short-term goals that give a golfer something to focus on temporarily or helps them achieve their bigger goals they set for themselves earlier in the year.
Ideas for short-term goals might include:
- Practice goal: Consistently practicing two to three times per week.
- Tournament goal: Playing in one or two tournaments in the fall and setting a goal of improving by one or two shots.
- Fairway finder: Improved driving accuracy percentage compared to the summer months.
- Journaling: Set a goal of journaling a set number of weeks in a row.
- Scoring challenge: Track the number of double bogeys or worse in summer tournaments and set a goal to reduce the number by X amount in the fall.
As fall winds down and you’re approaching winter, then it can be an ideal time to think about next year’s big goals. Don’t forget, you can download the free 2025 goal tracker and use it for inspiration throughout the year.
Fall may not bring the same jam-packed golf schedule as summer, but it offers a perfect chance for junior golfers to reset, refocus, and sharpen their skills. With a thoughtful practice plan, a little added fitness, and a few fun tournaments sprinkled in, this season can be just as valuable for growth as the tournament-heavy ones. Those fall months can build serious momentum, so when spring rolls around, your junior golfer is confident and ready to go.