Putting Practice Drills for Improvement

← Golf Instruction & Improvement | Short Game Mastery

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Quick Answer

• Drill those short putts (3-6 feet) relentlessly. Confidence and consistency start here.
• Make your practice count. Add pressure with drills that mimic real course situations.
• Keep tabs on your progress. You gotta know if you’re actually getting better.

Who This Is For

• Any golfer looking to ditch those three-putts and shave strokes off their scorecard. Seriously, everyone.
• Players who want to walk onto the green with a little swagger, knowing they can roll it close.

What to Check First

• Putter Fit: Is your gamer the right length? Is the lie angle dialed in? If not, you’re fighting yourself before you even start.
• Practice Surface: Whether it’s a fancy mat or the local muni’s practice green, make sure it’s smooth. No weird bounces or divots messing with your roll.
• Ball Condition: Dents, scuffs, flat spots – they all mess with a true roll. Grab a fresh sleeve.
• Alignment Aids: Tees, an alignment stick, whatever works. You need to know you’re aimed right.

Step-by-Step Plan for How to Practice Putting

1. Nail Your Setup:

• Action: Place two tees about the width of your putter head apart, aimed at your target. Position your ball just behind them.
• What to Look For: Your putter face should be square to the imaginary line connecting the tees to your target. Your eyes should be directly over the ball.
• Mistake: Assuming you’re set up square without checking. It’s a classic and it kills your chances.

2. Dominate the Short Stuff (3-6 Feet):

• Action: Pick a spot and aim to make 10 putts in a row. Miss one, and you start the count over.
• What to Look For: Solid contact on the sweet spot of your putter and a smooth, repeatable stroke. Feel that consistent roll.
• Mistake: Giving up after missing a couple. This isn’t about luck; it’s about building a reliable stroke under pressure.

3. Master the Lag Putt (20-30 Feet):

• Action: Putt from 20-30 feet, aiming to get 8 out of 10 putts within a 3-foot circle around the hole.
• What to Look For: Controlled distance and consistent speed. You’re not trying to make these; you’re trying to leave yourself an easy tap-in.
• Mistake: Trying to hole every lag putt. That’s a recipe for inconsistent distance control and long second putts.

4. Tackle the Break:

• Action: Find putts with noticeable slope on the practice green. Practice reading the break and hitting the putt on the correct line with the right speed.
• What to Look For: Your ability to accurately judge the amount of break and the pace needed to make the ball drop. Can you see the line?
• Mistake: Only practicing straight putts. Most putts on the course have some kind of break. You gotta practice what you’ll actually see.

5. Add Some Heat (Simulate Pressure):

• Action: Play a “money putt” game. For instance, make 5 putts in a row from 5 feet to “win” the drill. Miss one, and you’re back to square one.
• What to Look For: How your stroke holds up when you feel a little nervous. Can you maintain your tempo and commitment?
• Mistake: Not challenging yourself mentally. Practicing under simulated pressure makes the real thing feel like a walk in the park.

How to Practice Putting Effectively

The Foundation: Setup and Alignment

Before you even think about the stroke, get your setup dialed. This is non-negotiable. We’re talking about making sure your eyes are over the ball, your shoulders are square to your target line, and your putter face is perfectly aligned. This is where so many golfers lose strokes before the ball even starts rolling. If your putter face isn’t square at impact, the ball will go off-line, no matter how pure your stroke is. Use those alignment sticks or tees to create a clear visual path. I like to draw a line on my ball and try to match it up with the putter face. It’s a simple trick that makes a huge difference. Remember, practice your pre-putt routine just as much as the stroke itself. It’s what gets you in the right mindset.

Building Confidence with Short Putts

This is where the magic happens. The majority of your putts on the course are going to be within 6 feet. If you can’t make these consistently, you’re leaving strokes out there. The drill of making 10 in a row from 3-6 feet is brutal but effective. It forces you to focus on every single stroke. You’re not just trying to get it close; you’re trying to make it. This builds confidence and ingrains a repeatable stroke. When you feel that little bit of pressure to make the next one, you’re training your brain to perform. Don’t get discouraged if you miss a few. That’s part of the process. Just reset and go again. This is how you build that killer instinct on the greens.

Developing Distance Control with Lag Putting

Lag putting is all about touch and feel. You’re not trying to hole out from 30 yards. You’re trying to get the ball to stop within a comfortable distance of the hole, ideally within a 3-foot radius. This is where you’ll see the biggest impact on your score reduction. Practice hitting putts from various distances – 20, 30, 40 feet, and beyond. The goal is to get the ball to stop rolling consistently in the same area. Focus on your tempo and the length of your backstroke and follow-through. A good drill is to place three balls in a circle around the hole at your target distance. If you can get all three balls to stop within that circle, you’ve had a successful practice session. This drill helps you develop the feel for different speeds and slopes, which is crucial for navigating any course.

Mastering Breaking Putts

This is where golf gets interesting, and where many golfers struggle. Most greens have some sort of break, whether it’s subtle or severe. You need to practice reading these breaks. Find a spot on the practice green with a noticeable slope. Putt from different angles and distances. Try to visualize the path the ball will take. Start by focusing on the high side of the hole and how much the ball will break towards the low side. Speed is your best friend here; a putt with the right speed will break less than a putt that’s too hard. If you’re struggling, use an alignment stick to mark your intended starting line and then see how the ball rolls out. This helps you connect what you see with what actually happens.

Simulating On-Course Pressure

Practice doesn’t mean much if you can’t perform when it counts. That’s why simulating pressure is so important. The “make 10 in a row” drill is a great start, but you can get creative. Play a game where you have to make a certain number of putts from different spots to “win” the session. Or, imagine you’re on the 18th hole with a putt to win a tournament. What’s your routine? What’s your commitment? The more you can replicate the mental and emotional aspects of playing for real, the better you’ll handle it when you step up to that crucial putt on the course. It’s about building resilience and trust in your stroke when the stakes are high.

Common Mistakes

• Practicing Only Long Putts — Neglects the high-frequency short putts that save strokes and build confidence — Prioritize short putt drills (3-6 feet) and make them a staple of your routine.
• Ignoring Putts with Break — Fails to prepare for realistic course conditions and makes reading greens harder — Actively seek out and practice breaking putts on the practice green, experimenting with different lines and speeds.
• Inconsistent Tempo — Leads to inconsistent distance control and makes it hard to repeat your stroke — Focus on a smooth, repeatable stroke rhythm from start to finish, ensuring your backstroke and follow-through are balanced.
• Not Tracking Progress — You don’t know if you’re actually getting better or what to focus on — Keep a simple log of your drill results (e.g., how many you made out of 10, how close your lags were).
• Bad Setup Habits — Poor alignment or ball position can sabotage even the best stroke — Always start with alignment checks, even for practice putts. Use alignment aids consistently.
• Practicing Without Purpose — Just hitting balls without a specific goal or drill in mind is a waste of time — Have a plan for each practice session, focusing on specific drills and outcomes.
• Neglecting the Mental Game — Focusing only on mechanics and ignoring the pressure and confidence aspects — Incorporate pressure drills and visualization to prepare for on-course situations.

FAQ

• What is the most important putt to practice?

The short putts, typically between 3 and 6 feet. Making these consistently is crucial for scoring and confidence, as they occur most frequently.

• How often should I practice putting?

Aim for at least 15-20 minutes, 2-3 times a week. Consistency is key. Even a little bit of focused practice beats long, unfocused sessions.

• What are the best drills for improving distance control?

Lag putting drills from various distances (20, 30, 40 feet) are excellent. Focus on getting the ball to a specific zone around the hole, not making it. Try to get your putts to stop within a 3-foot circle.

• How can I practice putting at home?

You can use a putting mat, practice short putts into a cup or a makeshift target, and focus on your stroke mechanics and tempo. You can also work on your alignment and visualization. Check out these Home Putting Practice Drills [1] for more ideas.

• Should I practice with different kinds of putts?

Absolutely. You need to practice straight putts, breaking putts, uphill, and downhill putts to be prepared for any situation on the course.

• How do I know if my putter is fitted correctly?

A properly fitted putter will feel natural to swing, and your setup (eyes over the ball, arms hanging naturally) will be comfortable and balanced. If you’re unsure, consult a professional club fitter for an assessment.

• How much practice time should I dedicate to putting versus other parts of my game?

A common recommendation is to spend about 40-50% of your practice time on putting, as it’s often the quickest way to lower your scores.

Sources:

[1] Home Putting Practice Drills: https://golfhubz.com/home-putting-practice-drills/