Here is a fundamentally sound way to approach assessment for players of different skill levels. This is a progressive model and moves from a relaxed standard for the beginner to a more stringent criterion as the player’s handicap lowers.
Beginner Players (Hcp 25+):
Putting: 3-foot distance, 3 balls player make 1
Chipping: 15 feet from hole, on fringe, level green, 3 balls, and player must hit 1 in 10-foot radius of hole
Pitching off turf: 20 yards to target get 3 balls up in the air 1 past target
Full Swing Iron off turf: 100 yards to target get balls up in air land within 20 yards of target
Full Swing Driver off Tee: Player must make ball travel 100 yards total to fairway 50 yards wide 1 ball out of 3.
Intermediate Players (15-24 Hcp):
Putting: 3-foot distance, 3 balls player make 2
Chipping: 15 feet from hole, on fringe, level green, 3 balls, and player must hit 2 in 10-foot radius of hole
Pitching off turf: 20 yards to target get 3 balls up in the air 2 within 20 ft target
Full Swing Iron off turf: 100 yards to target get balls up in air 2 past target 1 within 20 yards
Full Swing Driver from Tee: Player must make a ball travel 150 yards in air to fairway 50 yards wide 1 ball out of 3 lands in fairway.
Above Average Player (6-14 Hcp):
Putting: 3-foot distance, 3 balls player make 2
Chipping: 15 feet from hole, on fringe, level green, 3 balls, and player must hit 3 in 10-foot radius of hole
Pitching off turf: 20 yards to target get 3 balls within 15 ft.
Full Swing Iron off turf: 100 yards to target get 2 balls within 10 yards
Full Swing Driver from Tee: Player must make a ball travel 175 yards in air to fairway 40 yards wide 2 balls out of 3 lands in fairway.
Expert Player (5-lower Hcp):
Putting: 3-foot distance, 3 balls player make 3
Chipping: 15 feet from hole, on fringe, level green, 3 balls, and player must hit all 3 in 3-foot radius of hole, hole 1
Pitching off turf: 20 yards to target get 3 balls within 10 feet
Full Swing Iron off turf: 100 yards to target get 3 balls within 15 feet
Full Swing Driver from Tee: Player must make a ball travel 200+ yards in air to fairway 40 yards wide 3 balls out of 3 lands in fairway.
These assessment activities I use to get a clearer understanding of players’ abilities. This general screening process allows for a clearer picture of the players’ current game and their potential for reasonable improvement given their goals and timeframe. However, from a student’s perspective challenge evaluations, such as those described above, will be the framework for structured fun learning. Games keep the students engaged on the proper path toward success and off the gerbil wheel of golf insanity.