Want to shave strokes off your score? These five putting drills, used by tour professionals, will help you improve accuracy and consistency on the greens.
Why Practice Putting?
Putting accounts for approximately 40% of your strokes in a typical round. Improving your putting can have the biggest impact on lowering your scores.
Drill 1: The Gate Drill
This drill improves start line accuracy.
How to Do It
- Place two tee pegs just wider than your putter head 3 feet from the hole
- Roll putts through the “gate”
- Goal: 10/10 successful putts before moving back
Why It Works
Creates a precise starting line target. If your ball hits either tee, your start line is off.
Drill 2: The Distance Control Ladder
Master distance control from various distances.
How to Do It
- Place markers at 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet
- Roll 5 balls to each distance
- Try to get all balls to stop within 3 feet of target
Drill 3: The Quarter
Build confidence with short putts.
How to Do It
- Start at 3 feet
- Make 10 in a row
- Move to 4 feet, make 10
- Continue until you miss
Pro Tip
Misses don’t reset your progress – just note where you stopped!
Drill 4: The Coin Circle
Improve touch and feel.
How to Do It
- Place 5 coins in a circle around the hole at 4 feet
- Make putts to each coin in sequence
- Work on different break directions
Drill 5: The Eyes-Closed Drill
Develop a repeatable stroke.
How to Do It
- Address the ball with eyes over the target line
- Close your eyes
- Make your stroke
- Open eyes to see result
Practice Routine
- 5 minutes: Gate drill (start line)
- 10 minutes: Distance control
- 5 minutes: Short putts (quarter drill)
Pro Tip: Practice putts at different speeds – the ball should roll 6 feet past the hole on a lag putt.
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