Putting Drills

Practicing putting is essential for improving your golf game, and incorporating drills into your practice routine can help you develop consistency, accuracy, and confidence on the greens. Here are some effective putting drills to try:

1. Gate Drill: Set up two tees or alignment rods a few inches apart on the putting green, creating a "gate" through which your ball must pass. Practice stroking putts through the gate, focusing on keeping your putter face square at impact and maintaining a smooth, consistent stroke.

2. Clock Drill: Place several tees or markers around the hole, spaced at different distances like the numbers on a clock (e.g., 3 feet, 6 feet, 9 feet, 12 feet). Start at one marker and putt to the hole, then move to the next marker and repeat. This drill helps you develop feel and distance control for putts of varying lengths.

3. One-Handed Putting: Practice putting with only your trail hand (the right hand for right-handed golfers, left hand for left-handed golfers). This drill helps you focus on your hand and wrist control, as well as your ability to square the putter face at impact.

4. Eyes-Closed Putting: Close your eyes and putt to the hole, relying on feel and muscle memory to judge distance and direction. This drill helps you develop trust in your stroke and improve your ability to visualize the line and pace of your putts.

5. Coin Putting: Place a coin or small marker on the green, a few inches in front of your ball and directly on your target line. Practice putting over the coin, focusing on starting your putt on the intended line and rolling the ball smoothly toward the hole.

6. Pressure Putting: Create pressure situations during your practice by setting goals or consequences for making or missing putts. For example, challenge yourself to make a certain number of consecutive putts from a specific distance, with each miss requiring you to start over.

7. Speed Control Drill: Place a tee or marker several feet beyond the hole and practice putting to stop the ball within a specific distance of the marker. This drill helps you develop control over your putt speed and distance judgment.

8. Visualize Your Putt: Before each putt, take a moment to visualize the line and pace of your putt, imagining the ball rolling smoothly into the hole. This mental rehearsal can help you commit to your stroke and improve your focus and confidence on the greens.

Remember to vary your putting drills and practice routines to target different aspects of your putting game and keep your practice sessions engaging and effective. Consistent and focused practice will lead to improved putting performance on the course.