Trick shot videos make it look effortless: one swing, a ricochet off three objects, a ball dropping into a cup across the room. What those videos rarely show is the fifty attempts before the one that worked. That is good news for you. Most trick shots are not magic; they are a simple setup plus patience. Here are beginner-friendly shots you can learn in an afternoon, with a focus on putting and gentle chips so nothing ends up through a window.
Ground rules for safe trick shots
Trick shots are about precision, not power. Before you start, agree some basics with anyone who is joining in:
- Clear space around the person swinging, at least a putter's length plus an arm's length in every direction.
- No full swings indoors, ever. Putting and very short chips only.
- Use soft practice balls for anything involving bounces near furniture, glass or people.
- Outdoors, check what is behind your target. A missed chip needs a safe place to land.
- Spectators stand behind the player, never downrange.
Putting trick shots
1. The double bank. Set two boards or cushions to form a corridor with a dogleg. Putt off the first wall so the ball crosses to the second and then into the cup. Use the mirror trick from our putting tips for each bounce. Start with the walls close together and gradually widen the angle.
2. The stair-step. Line up three books of decreasing height to make steps going down. Putt firmly enough that the ball drops off each step and rolls into a cup at the bottom. It is all about speed; too slow stalls, too fast skips the steps entirely.
3. The two-ball kiss. Place one ball a short distance in front of the cup and slightly to the side. Putt a second ball into it so the first ball is knocked into the cup. It feels like pool, and angles work the same way: hit the target ball on the side opposite from where you want it to go.
4. The long lag. Putt the full length of a hallway or patio and stop the ball inside a hoop or tape circle. It is less flashy, but it builds real touch and it is great to film from above.
Ball-control tricks
5. The putter pick-up. Instead of bending down, roll the ball against the inside of your foot, then lift it with the putter face and pop it into your hand. Once that works, try pinching the ball between the putter head and the outside of your shoe and lifting both.
6. Face balance. Balance a ball on the flat face of your putter while holding the grip. Walk from one hole to the next without dropping it. Easy with a wide blade putter, harder with a narrow one.
7. Beginner bounce juggle. Drop the ball onto the putter face and bounce it once, catch it, then try two bounces, then three. Keep the face level and use small wrist movements. This is the gateway to the famous juggling trick shots, and it takes patience rather than talent.
Chip-in tricks (outdoors or on soft practice mats)
8. The bucket drop. With a wedge or a sand wedge, chip from a few metres into a bucket lying on its side. Once you can do it, stand the bucket upright. The ball needs to land softly, so use a short, smooth swing and let the club's loft do the work.
9. The cup bounce. Chip onto a hard surface such as a flat paving slab so the ball bounces up into a basket or bucket. Adjust your distance from the slab until the bounce angle works. It takes experimenting, but when it lands, it looks spectacular on video.
| Shot | Difficulty | Setup | Indoor safe? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Double bank | Easy to medium | 5 minutes | Yes |
| Stair-step | Medium | 5 minutes | Yes |
| Two-ball kiss | Medium | 1 minute | Yes |
| Putter pick-up | Easy | None | Yes |
| Bounce juggle | Hard to master | None | With care |
| Bucket drop | Medium | 2 minutes | No, outdoors |
| Cup bounce | Hard | 10 minutes | No, outdoors |
Filming your trick shots
Half the fun is catching the one that works. Prop your phone at ball height behind the player or at a low angle beside the target so both the swing and the finish are in frame. Film in landscape for a wide setup or portrait for social clips. Record continuously rather than starting and stopping each attempt, and trim afterwards. Good light makes a huge difference; outdoors, shoot with the sun behind the camera.
Be honest if you share clips. Part of what makes trick shots fun is that they are real, and viewers love a blooper reel as much as the make.
Practising without getting frustrated
Set a number of attempts, such as twenty, then take a break. Change one thing at a time: the ball position, the speed, the angle of a board. Note what works. Trick shots are basically practice in disguise, and many of the skills carry straight over to better putting. For structured drills, see putting practice games.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest golf trick shot for a beginner?
The putter pick-up and the double bank are the most approachable. Both need no special equipment and give quick results.
Do I need special clubs for trick shots?
No. A putter covers most of the shots here. A wedge helps for chip tricks outdoors, but only use it where a miss can land safely.
Are trick shots safe indoors?
Putting tricks with soft balls are generally safe if you clear breakables and keep swings short. Never make full swings or chips inside.
How many attempts does a trick shot take?
It varies a lot. Simple shots may work in a few tries, while bounce shots can take dozens. Filming continuously means you will not miss the one that lands.
Play safe: swing low near people, pets and windows, and follow any posted course rules.
