Putting is often considered one of the most critical aspects of a golfer’s game. It can make or break a round, as precision and control on the greens are essential for success. To enhance your putting skills, incorporating effective putting drills into your practice routine is crucial. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the best putting drills that can help you become a more proficient putter.
Distance Control Drill:
- Purpose: This drill focuses on improving your ability to control the distance of your putts, which is crucial for sinking long-range putts.
- Execution: Place three balls at varying distances from the hole (short, medium, and long). Your goal is to putt all three balls into the hole using the fewest strokes possible. Focus on consistent stroke length and tempo.
Gate Drill:
- Purpose: The gate drill is excellent for improving your putting accuracy by ensuring your putter face is square at impact.
- Execution: Set up two tees just wider than your putter head’s width about a foot in front of the ball. Practice putting through this “gate.” If your putter face is square at impact, the ball should pass through the gate.
Clock Drill:
- Purpose: This drill enhances your ability to control the direction of your putts, which is crucial for breaking putts.
- Execution: Imagine the hole as the center of a clock face. Place several balls at different “hours” on the clock (e.g., 3, 6, 9, and 12). Putt each ball, trying to make it stop as close to the specified “hour” as possible.
Three-Foot Circle Drill:
- Purpose: Short putts are essential for maintaining a low score. This drill hones your confidence and consistency for those critical three-footers.
- Execution: Create a circle around the hole with a three-foot radius. Putt 10 balls from various positions within the circle. The goal is to make all 10 putts consecutively. If you miss, start over.
Ladder Drill:
- Purpose: The ladder drill helps you improve your putting under pressure by progressively increasing the challenge.
- Execution: Set up five tees at increasing distances from the hole (e.g., 3 feet, 6 feet, 9 feet, 12 feet, and 15 feet). Start by putting from the closest tee, and only move to the next distance if you sink the putt. Miss, and you have to restart from the beginning.
Eyes-Closed Putting:
- Purpose: This unconventional drill enhances your feel for distance and promotes a more natural putting stroke.
- Execution: Close your eyes and take a few practice strokes to gauge your distance. Then, putt with your eyes closed, focusing on replicating the same feel and stroke.
Putting with Obstacles:
- Purpose: Practicing putts with obstacles helps you navigate challenging greens and teaches you to adapt to different course conditions.
- Execution: Place tees or alignment sticks on the green to create obstacles in your putting path. Practice putting around or through these obstacles, simulating real on-course scenarios.
Downhill and Uphill Putts Drill:
- Purpose: Mastering downhill and uphill putts is crucial for navigating undulating greens effectively.
- Execution: Find a slope on the putting green, and practice putts both uphill and downhill. Focus on controlling the speed of your putts to prevent them from rolling too far past the hole on downhill putts or coming up short on uphill putts.
Speed Control Drill:
- Purpose: Developing a good sense of green speed allows you to consistently two-putt or even one-putt greens.
- Execution: Place a tee or marker at a specific distance from the hole, and practice putting to stop the ball just short of the marker. Gradually increase the distance to challenge your speed control.
Visualization Drill:
- Purpose: Visualization helps you read greens better and develop a clear picture of the putt in your mind.
- Execution: Before each putt, take a moment to visualize the ball’s path and the break it will take. Try to see the ball dropping into the hole in your mind’s eye. This mental practice can help improve your confidence and execution on the greens.
Pressure Putt Drill:
- Purpose: To simulate pressure situations on the course and improve your ability to make clutch putts.
- Execution: Create a pressure situation by setting a target (e.g., making three consecutive putts from a certain distance). If you fail, start over. This drill helps you develop a strong mental game for critical putts during a round.
Putting Game Simulation:
- Purpose: To replicate on-course conditions and practice putting in a realistic setting.
- Execution: Create a mini-golf course on the putting green, including slopes, breaks, and varying distances. Play rounds against friends or challenge yourself to complete the course with as few putts as possible.
Putting Distance Control Drills
| Drill Name | Description | Equipment Needed | Steps | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 3-Foot Drill | Improve short putt accuracy | Putter, golf balls | 1. Place 3 balls 3 feet from the hole | Enhanced short-range putting accuracy |
| 2. 6-Foot Ladder | Work on mid-range putts | Putter, tees, balls | 1. Set up tees at 6, 9, 12, and 15 ft | Develops consistency in varied putts |
| 3. Clock Drill | Enhance putting from different angles | Putter, 12 tees | 1. Create a clock face with tees | Improves overall putting versatility |
| 4. Gate Drill | Focus on putter path and alignment | Putter, alignment rods | 1. Place two rods to create a gate | Promotes straighter and aligned putts |
| 5. Distance Dial | Train for long-distance putts | Putter, markers | 1. Mark distances at various lengths | Gains confidence in long-range putts |
Putting Speed Control Drills
| Drill Name | Description | Equipment Needed | Steps | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. 10-Foot Stopwatch | Improve pace and touch on putts | Putter, stopwatch | 1. Putt to a target 10 feet away | Enhances control over putt speed |
| 2. Downhill Challenge | Practice downhill putts with precision | Putter, slope, balls | 1. Set up a downhill slope | Develops finesse on downhill putts |
| 3. Uphill Challenge | Work on uphill putts and break reading | Putter, slope, balls | 1. Set up an uphill slope | Enhances reading and execution on hills |
| 4. Pendulum Drill | Develop a smooth, consistent putting stroke | Putter | 1. Swing putter like a pendulum | Promotes a fluid and repeatable stroke |
| 5. 50-50 Drill | Balance between power and accuracy | Putter, markers | 1. Place markers at 50% putt distance | Improves judgment of putt strength |
Putting Alignment Drills
| Drill Name | Description | Equipment Needed | Steps | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. String Drill | Ensure putter face alignment | Putter, string | 1. Lay a string on the putting line | Promotes square putter face at impact |
| 2. Gate-to-Gate | Focus on proper path and alignment | Putter, tees | 1. Create a gate with tees | Enhances stroke path and alignment |
| 3. Mirror Drill | Check posture and eye alignment | Putter, full-length mirror | 1. Use a mirror to view your setup | Aids in correcting setup and alignment |
| 4. Laser Alignment | Precisely align putter with target | Putter, laser device | 1. Use a laser to aim at the target | Ensures accurate putting alignment |
| 5. AimPoint Express | Learn the AimPoint green reading system | Putter, charts | 1. Study AimPoint charts and techniques | Enhances green-reading accuracy |
Putting Visualization Drills
| Drill Name | Description | Equipment Needed | Steps | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Mind’s Eye | Visualize successful putts before execution | Putter, golf balls | 1. Mentally picture the ideal putt | Enhances mental preparation for putting |
| 2. Blank Canvas | Create mental imagery of the perfect putt | Putter | 1. Close eyes and visualize the putt | Develops mental focus and confidence |
| 3. Pressure Test | Simulate pressure situations mentally | Putter, obstacles | 1. Set up obstacles and imagine pressure | Prepares for high-pressure putting |
| 4. Putting Routine | Develop a consistent pre-putt routine | Putter, timer | 1. Establish a routine with specific steps | Increases consistency in putting |
| 5. Quiet Mind | Achieve a calm and focused state | Putter, meditation | 1. Practice mindfulness before each putt | Reduces anxiety and improves focus |
Putting Games for Practice
| Game Name | Description | Equipment Needed | How to Play | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Putt-Putt Golf | Mini-golf style putting course | Putter, obstacles | Navigate through a miniature golf course | Fun way to improve putting skills |
| 2. 9-Hole Challenge | Create a custom 9-hole putting course | Putter, markers | Set up 9 unique putting challenges | Adds variety and challenge to practice |
| 3. Clock Challenge | Putt to targets at different clock positions | Putter, markers | Place markers like a clock face | Develops precision in putting |
| 4. Par-18 | Aim to complete an imaginary 18-hole course | Putter, imagination | Imagine putting on a full golf course | Enhances mental stamina and focus |
| 5. H-O-R-S-E | Challenge a friend in a putting competition | Putters, golf balls | Take turns setting and making putts | Competitive and entertaining practice |
Conclusion:
Improving your putting skills is an ongoing process that requires dedication and practice. Incorporate these diverse putting drills into your training regimen to address various aspects of your putting game, from distance control to accuracy, and even the mental aspect of putting. Regular practice and a focused approach to putting will undoubtedly contribute to lower scores and increased confidence on the golf course. Remember that consistency in your putting practice will ultimately translate to improved performance and greater success in your golf game.
