This paper presents a new approach based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm for solving the drilling path optimization problem belonging to discrete space. Because the standard PSO algorithm is not guaranteed to be global convergence or local convergence, based on the mathematical algorithm model, the algorithm is improved by adopting the method of generate the stop evolution particle over again to get the ability of convergence to the global optimization solution. And the operators are improved by establishing the duality transposition method and the handle manner for the elements of the operator, the improved operator can satisfy the need of integer coding in drilling path optimization. The experiment with small node numbers indicates that the improved algorithm has the characteristics of easy realize, fast convergence speed, and better global convergence characteristics, hence the new PSO can play a role in solving the problem of drilling path optimization in drilling holes.