Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about devices, free access, the practices, strokes gained and your subscription. Can’t find what you need? Send us a message.
Getting started
Devices, accounts and what is free.
What devices does Golf Practice Buddy work on?
Golf Practice Buddy is available on iPhone, Android and the web, so you can record your practice and review your progress wherever you play. For more detailed practice statistics and performance analytics, visit GolfPracticeBuddy.com.
Do I need to create an account to use Golf Practice Buddy?
Yes. Create a free account on golfpracticebuddy.com or in the app, then sign in on any device.
Is Golf Practice Buddy free to use?
Yes. Golf Practice Buddy always has a free tier. Several putting practices are available at no cost and with no subscription required, so you can start improving your putting straight away. A 7-day free trial of the full practice library (covering driving, irons, chipping, bunkers and more) is also available for new users. After the trial, a monthly or annual subscription unlocks the complete library.
Who created the practices?
All of the practices in Golf Practice Buddy were designed by Dr Nicky Lumb, a PGA Professional with a PhD in Golf Practice and High Performance.
Practicing
How long practices take, how often to practice and what the icons mean.
How long do the practices take?
The average time to complete each practice is shown, although most of the practices are score related and results based, so their duration will depend on your performance and how long it takes you to hit the required number of scoring shots.
Are there any short practices?
Yes. The alarm clock icon next to a practice name shows the practices you are likely to be able to complete within 10 minutes.
If I have 30 minutes to practice, will I be able to do more than one practice?
Yes. The alarm clock icon next to a practice name highlights the short and sharp practices. These are perfect if you have limited time or want to hit different types of shots within a short practice session.
How often should I practice?
As often as you can! Research suggests practicing on a little and often basis is more beneficial than one long session.
What practice(s) should I do?
You can choose from over 100 practices with different difficulty levels. Ask Buddy and the training plans suggest what to work on next. You can also book an online consultation with Dr Nicky Lumb, Golf Practice Buddy’s creator, to have a personal practice programme designed to help you work towards your golfing goals.
Can I play against friends?
Yes. The Multiplayer icon next to a practice name shows the practices where you can play against friends, hit to the same targets, enter scores and compare your results to see who has the best score or lowest proximity.
I have a swing coach. Will using Golf Practice Buddy create any conflict of interest?
No. Golf Practice Buddy focuses on helping you optimise your practice through training and tournament practices. There are no swing technique recommendations on the platform. To track work with a swing coach, select Technique / Other under the appropriate skill set, enter your shot count and describe what you are working on in Notes.
What do the icons mean?
The icons next to a practice name tell you the type of practice, the facilities it needs and how it is scored:
Quick Practice, Complete in Under 10 minutes
Select Targets & Distances
Combine Skills & Mix Shots
Course Friendly! Can be done on the Course just beware the pace of play! 
Directional Accuracy only
Speed Control
Custom Shot Count. Choose the Number of Shots
Develop Skills to help you Perform
Multiplayer, Practice and Compete with Friends
Practice Under Pressure!
Distance Feedback is Recommended
Focus on your Ball Striking
Track any Technical Work / Practice
Training - Develop Feel & Shot Accuracy
Tournament - One Shot Challenges. Test your Performance!
Strokes gained and stats
What the numbers are based on.
What is strokes gained?
Strokes gained measures a player’s performance and compares it to others. Designed by Prof Mark Broadie, it calculates how many strokes a player gains or loses relative to a benchmark on every shot, helping them to better understand their strengths and weaknesses.
What are the strokes gained numbers in Golf Practice Buddy based on?
All of the strokes gained numbers are currently based on the PGA Tour from fairway lies. As we develop the platform, more strokes gained comparisons will be added.
Account, billing and privacy
Subscriptions, cancelling and your data.
How do I cancel my subscription?
You can cancel your subscription at any time. On the website, go to Profile (top right) > View Subscription > Cancel Subscription. Subscriptions bought in the app are cancelled in your Apple Account settings or in Google Play. You keep access until the end of the period you have paid for. For Founder members, unsubscribing means forfeiting your locked-in subscription price; if you later re-join, you will not be able to reclaim this rate.
Is my personal information shared with third parties?
Your data is only shared with third parties when it is necessary to run the service. The Privacy Policy explains what we collect and why.
Is there an affiliate programme?
Yes. Any member can join from the Affiliate page in their account and share their link or code. You earn 10% of every subscription payment made by members you refer, for as long as they stay subscribed, on the price excluding VAT or sales tax. Commission is held for 30 days for refunds and paid monthly via PayPal.
Still have a question?
Send us a message and we’ll reply by email, or start your free trial and see for yourself.
Available on Android and web. iPhone app coming soon.