Practice like a Pro – 5 Putting Drills for Instant Improvement
Practice makes perfect, and when we talk about putting in golf this statement can’t be more true.
Unfortunately when it comes to putting, a shortcut to success doesn’t exist.
Amateur golfers normally don’t have the luxury of time, thus it is important to spend your time wisely when you do get a chance to practice your short game, and in particular your putting.
You might think that you are practicing your putting when you go to the practice green and putt at random holes without any purpose, but without doing focused putting drills on a regular basis it will take a long time before you notice improvement on the greens.
Below are 5 putting drills that will get you to practice like a pro, and with quality of practice improvement will soon follow.
- Train tracks drill
- Rhythm – prayer grip drill
- 3 and 6 footers around the world
- 2 putt speed drill
- Draw back
Drill #1: Train Tracks
In order to get consistent putting results on the golf course it is very important to have a putting stroke with good fundamentals.
The first, and in my opinion most important fundamental is to have a putting stroke that goes straight back and through.
When the stroke gets longer on distance putts the arch of the putting stroke will be slightly towards the inside, which is what is suppose to happen.
The first 3 – 4 inches on the backstroke and follow through has to be as straight as possible.
Having a putter head that moves through the hitting area with a square clubface will lead to consistency in strike and direction, thus more putts holed with good speed.
The train track drill is a great putting drill to practice this fundamental with.
Take two alignment sticks, or golf clubs, and align them in the shape of train tracks at a hole, set up the train tracks about 6 feet away from the hole.
The width of the tracks has to be slightly wider than your putters width.
It is important that your putter can move freely between the tracks, but don’t allow yourself too much space.
This drill will improve the path of your putting stroke, and the great thing about it is that it can be done anywhere at home or even in your office during your lunch break.
Drill #2: Rhythm – Prayer Grip Drill
Another key fundamental of a consistent putting stroke is good rhythm.
Having good rhythm will lead to consistency in strike and distance control, both factors that will lead to improved putting results.
In order to get good rhythm it is important to use your shoulder turn to rock the putter back and through.
Gripping the putter with 2 fingers only is a great putting drill that will force you to use your shoulders in order to stroke the putt.
Open your hands up, place your hands on either side of your grip, the hands will resemble hands that are in the prayer position, line the grip up so that your middle fingers are the only 2 fingers that are touching the putter grip.
At first it will feel nearly impossible to putt the ball, but your body will figure out that you need to use your shoulders in order to generate enough speed to make a putting stroke.
This is a great putting drill that will train a good shoulder turn in your putting stroke, and as a byproduct of a good shoulder turn you will have improved rhythm.
Drill #3: 2 Putt Speed Drill
Speed is arguably the most important factor in putting.
Many amateur golfers blame missing short putts when they have a couple of 3 putts per round, but most of the time distance control on longer putts is the problem.
It is important to take a close look at your putting game as a whole in order to blame the correct area for your putting woes.
The 2 putt speed drill is a great putting drill that will help you eliminate those dreaded 3 putts.
Chose 2 holes on the putting green that are about 30 – 40 feet away from each other, take two balls and putt between the two holes, putt out every putt and continue going until you have 10 consecutive 2 putts.
This drill help with more than just your speed, it will also challenge your mental game.
When you have made about 8 two putts you will start to feel some pressure in order to continue the streak to 10.
Drill #4: Putting 3 and 6 footers Around the World
Most weekend golfers are very quick to give a 3 or 4 foot putt to their buddies, deep down they are doing it with the hopes that the favor will be returned because secretly they are petrified of those short putts.
This is one way to deal with the problem, but in reality the plan has zero longevity.
When you play in your annual club tournament then you will have to putt out those short putts.
The 3 and 6 footers around the world putting drill is a great drill that will help you get confidence on those short putts.
Take 6 tees and place them in a circle around the hole, start with 3 footers before you move on to 6 feet.
The goal is to make 6 putts in a row, use only one ball and move on to the following tee after every putt, move on even if you missed.
Continuously moving on to a new tee is important because this way you don’t get use to hitting the same putt over and over.
Once you have mastered this try and get 12 in a row, and once that doesn’t challenge you anymore move on to 6 feet.
Drill #5: Draw Back
Draw back is a great putting drill that will work on both speed and short putts.
It is an easy 2 putt when you roll your first attempt to a couple of feet from the hole, but draw it back to 4 or 5 feet and all of a sudden that little putt will get your attention.
Take one ball and go around the putting green, choose 18 different putts, all par 2’s, but draw the second putt back a grip length every time, the goal is to get a score of even par 36.
Once you have accomplished that draw it back a putter length, this will make it considerably more difficult.
If at first even par is too difficult, try and improve on your personal best every time you do the drill.
And don’t forget to download my 10 best short game drills, you’re also giving us permission to add you to our email newsletter and send you weekly golf tips to your inbox you can use to improve your golf game.
Golf Drills & Practice Routines
If you want to take your golf game to the next level, see your scores drop, your drives get longer off the tee, less 3 putting, more up & downs, then you need to check out these resources below.
The 2 Hour Short Game Practice Plans
Build your putting and chipping skills by advancing from Level 1 all the way to Level 10. These practice routines take roughly 2 hours if you don’t have long to practice, perfect for high school golfers, college golfers, and those with a few hours after work at night. Print the worksheets and try to pass each level in the program.
The Indoor Improvement Program
For 21 days, I walk you through practice drills and practice routines to build your putting skills, chipping skills, and golf swing indoors while the weather is keeping you off the golf course. Plus you get an 8 week workout plan to build golf strength and stability so you can drive the ball further and straighter. See all other bonuses we’ve thrown in.
The Outdoor Improvement Program
This 36 day training plan is easy to follow with step by step drills and routines that challenge your putting, chipping, and golf swing. You’ll work at the golf course on the practice range and practice green and it comes with worksheets to fill out after each practice to monitor your growth in each statistical category. See all other bonuses we’ve included.
