Improve Your Putting Skills with the Best Putting Drills

Are you struggling to perfect your golf putting skills? You’re not alone; it’s a common challenge for many golfers. I’ve been there too and after extensive research coupled with numerous practices, I have curated some of the best drills that can significantly improve your putt.

This article will help you by outlining various effective putting techniques and providing valuable tips aimed at sharpening your game. Want to conquer every green? Read on!

Key Takeaways

• The article provides various effective putting drills to improve your golf putting skills, including the Clock Game Drill and Star Drill.
• It also offers tips from professional golfers, such as using Tiger’s Technique and the Careful Clock Technique, to enhance your accuracy and consistency on the greens.
• Other techniques like the Beat the Box Technique, Putt Through Tees, Coin On Putterhead drill, and Putting Around Hole can help improve your alignment, stroke control, and confidence in short putts.

Best Putting Drills

Here are some highly effective putting drills to help you improve your skills on the green.

Clock Game Drill

The Clock Game Drill is a fun way to better your putting skills. You start by making a clock with golf balls around the hole. Each ball needs to be three feet away from the hole. Try to putt each ball into the hole, starting at 12 o’clock and going all around until you reach 12 again.

If you miss, start over! This drill helps improve accuracy and builds confidence in your game play. Keep doing it and see how fast you get better!

Star Drill / Game

One of the best putting drills for improving your accuracy is the Star Drill or Game. This drill helps you practice putting from different distances and angles, making it a great way to improve your overall putting skills.

To do this drill, set up five balls around a hole, positioning them like points on a star. Start with short putts and gradually increase the distance as you become more comfortable.

Focus on maintaining consistent technique and stroke throughout each putt. By practicing the Star Drill regularly, you can enhance your ability to read greens and make more accurate putts on the golf course.

9 Holes of Drawback

One of the best putting drills to improve your accuracy and distance control is the “9 Holes of Drawback.” This drill involves placing nine golf balls around a hole in a circular pattern, with each ball progressively further away from the hole.

Starting with the closest ball, practice making putts from each position, focusing on maintaining consistent speed and aim. By moving through different distances and angles, this drill helps you develop a feel for reading greens and adjusting your stroke accordingly.

Practice this drill regularly to enhance your putting skills and build confidence on the greens.

6ft Speed Drill

For the 6ft Speed Drill, you will practice your speed control when putting. Set up a target hole about 6 feet away and place a few golf balls around it. Start by putting one ball towards the hole with enough speed to reach but not go past it.

Repeat this process with each ball, adjusting your speed each time to get as close to the hole as possible without going over. This drill helps you develop a consistent feel for how hard or soft you need to hit the ball for different distances on the green.

Practice this drill regularly to improve your putting accuracy and distance control skills.

Hole Switch

One of the best putting drills to improve your accuracy and distance control is the Hole Switch drill. This drill helps you develop a better feel for different lengths of putts. To do this drill, set up three golf balls at different distances from the hole, such as 3 feet, 6 feet, and 9 feet.

Start by putting from the closest ball to the hole until you make it in. Then switch to the next ball and repeat. Keep going until you’ve made all three putts in a row without missing.

This drill will help you practice adjusting your stroke length and speed for different distances, which is crucial for becoming a more consistent putter on the greens. So give the Hole Switch drill a try during your next practice session and watch your putting skills improve!

Lag Putting Drill

To improve your lag putting skills, try the Lag Putting Drill. This drill helps you develop good distance control and accuracy on long putts. Set up a course with several targets at varying distances.

Start by hitting putts from one target to another, focusing on getting as close to the hole as possible without going past it. Repeat this drill several times, aiming for consistent results each time.

By practicing your lag putting regularly, you’ll be able to make more accurate long putts and lower your scores on the green.

Fringe Putting Drill

One of the best putting drills to improve your skills is the Fringe Putting Drill. This drill focuses on developing your feel and touch around the greens. To do this drill, find a spot just off the green where the fringe meets the grass.

Place three golf balls at different distances from the hole: one close to you, one in the middle, and one farther away. The goal is to putt each ball and get it as close to or in the hole as possible without going onto the green.

This drill helps you practice controlling your distance, speed, and line when putting from different lengths of fringe grass. By mastering this drill, you’ll become more comfortable with varying putts around greens and improve your overall putting accuracy.

Tips for Improving Your Putting

Learn some of the best techniques used by professional golfers to improve their putting skills and take your game to the next level.

Use Tiger’s Technique

Hey golfers, here’s a putting technique you can try to improve your game: Tiger’s Technique. It’s a proven method used by the legendary golfer himself. To use this technique, keep your eyes fixed on the ball and focus on hitting it straight. Make sure your putter stays low to the ground throughout the stroke. This will help you maintain a smooth and consistent putting motion. Give it a shot and see if it helps improve your accuracy and consistency on the greens. Happy putting!

The Careful Clock Technique

The Careful Clock Technique is a great way to improve your putting skills. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Set up a clock face around the hole, with the hole at 6 o’clock.
2. Start by putting from 3 o’clock, aiming to make the putt.
3. Repeat the putt from each hour on the clock face, focusing on accuracy and consistency.
4. Keep track of how many putts you make out of a total of 12 (one from each hour).
5. Challenge yourself to improve your score over time.

Beat the Box Technique

One technique that can help improve your putting skills is the Beat the Box Technique. This technique involves setting up a small box, about the size of a hole, a few feet away from where you’re putting. The goal is to putt the ball into the box without it touching the edges. This drill helps improve your accuracy and control, as you have to be precise with your putts. It also helps build confidence in your stroke. Give it a try and see how it improves your putting game!

Putt Through Tees

To improve your putting skills, one effective drill is to putt through tees. Here’s how to do it:

1. Set up several tees in a row on the putting green, spaced about a foot apart.
2. Position yourself about 3 – 5 feet away from the first tee.
3. Use your putter to aim and putt through the gap between each tee, trying to keep your ball on target.
4. Focus on maintaining a smooth and controlled stroke as you putt through the tees.
5. Repeat this drill from different distances to challenge yourself and improve your accuracy.

Coin On Putterhead

If you want to improve your putting skills, try the “Coin On Putterhead” drill. It’s a simple but effective exercise that can help you improve your alignment and stroke. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place a coin or small object on the top edge of your putterhead.
2. Take your putting stance and address the ball as you normally would.
3. As you swing the putter back and through, focus on keeping the coin balanced on the putterhead.
4. The goal is to make smooth strokes without letting the coin fall off.

Putting Around Hole

Putting around the hole is an effective drill for improving your short putts. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Start by placing a few golf balls in a circle around the hole, at a distance of about 3 feet.
• Begin putting from one side of the circle, aiming to make all the putts into the hole.
• Once you successfully make all the putts from that distance, move to a slightly longer distance and repeat the process.
• Continue moving around the circle, gradually increasing the distance with each round.
• Focus on your alignment, stroke, and speed control as you putt from different angles and distances.
• This drill helps you develop consistency and confidence in your short putting game.

Putt With Wedge

I have another great putting drill for you to try – putting with a wedge. It’s a simple yet effective way to improve your accuracy and distance control. Here’s how to do it:

1. Set up a target about 10 – 15 feet away from you.
2. Instead of using your putter, use your wedge to putt the ball towards the target.
3. Focus on keeping a smooth and controlled stroke, just like you would with your putter.
4. Pay attention to the speed and distance of your putts with the wedge.
5. Practice this drill for a few minutes each day to improve your putting skills.

Club Behind Hole

When practicing your putting, try the “Club Behind Hole” drill. This drill involves placing a club or alignment rod behind the hole. Here’s how to do it:

1. Set up your putting stance and line up your putt as usual.
2. Place the club or alignment rod directly behind the hole, parallel to your target line.
3. The goal is to roll your putt over the club without hitting it.
4. This drill helps improve your accuracy and teaches you to roll putts on the correct line.

String Over Ball and Line

To improve your putting accuracy, try using the string over ball and line technique.

• Place a string directly over the top of the golf ball and align it with the intended target line.
• Set up as if you are about to putt, making sure the putter face is square to the string line.
• Focus on keeping your putter head moving along the string line throughout your putting stroke.
• This drill helps you develop a consistent and straight putting stroke by ensuring proper alignment and stroke path.

Putt One-Handed

To improve your putting skills, try practicing the putt one-handed. It can help you improve your feel and touch on the greens. Give it a try during your practice sessions and see how it improves your putting accuracy.

Heel Against Alignment Rod

To improve your putting skills, you can try the “Heel Against Alignment Rod” drill. It’s a simple yet effective exercise that helps with your alignment and stroke consistency. Here’s how to do it:

1. Place an alignment rod or a club on the ground, parallel to your target line.
2. Set up to address the ball with your feet shoulder – width apart and the heel of your putter touching the alignment rod.
3. Make sure your eyes are directly over the ball and aligned with your target.
4. Take a few practice swings to ensure that the heel of your putter stays against the alignment rod throughout your stroke.
5. Focus on keeping a smooth and straight stroke while maintaining contact between the heel of your putter and the alignment rod.

Putting Through Tracks

Putting through tracks is a great drill to improve your putting accuracy and alignment. Here are the steps:

1. Set up two parallel tracks or lines on the green using tees or golf clubs.
2. Position yourself at one end of the tracks, facing towards the other end.
3. Take your putting stance and line up your putt along the tracks.
4. Focus on rolling the ball straight along the tracks without veering off to either side.
5. Practice rolling putts along the tracks from different distances and angles.
6. Pay attention to your stroke and aim for consistent contact with the ball.
7. Repeat this drill multiple times during your practice sessions to ingrain proper alignment and accuracy in your putting stroke.

Putting Down Chalk Line

I recommend trying the “Putting Down Chalk Line” drill to improve your putting skills. Here’s how it works:

1. Find a flat surface or a putting green where you can practice.
2. Use chalk or tape to create a straight line on the ground, about 10 feet long.
3. Set up a golf ball at one end of the line, and position yourself at the other end.
4. Focus on aligning the putter face with the chalk line as you address the ball.
5. Make your stroke, aiming to roll the ball directly down the line towards your target.
6. Repeat this drill several times, focusing on consistency in alignment and stroke.

Common FAQs

– Where should your eyes be when putting?

– Which hand leads in putting?

– How tight should you hold a putter?

– How far should you stand from the ball when putting?

– Should your putter touch the ground?

If you want to know the answers to these frequently asked questions and more, keep reading!

Where should eyes be when putting?

When you’re putting, it’s important to keep your eyes focused on the golf ball. By keeping your eyes on the ball, you can maintain better control and accuracy in your putts. Avoid looking up too early or shifting your gaze during the stroke, as this can lead to missed putts.

Instead, concentrate on aligning the ball with your intended target and keeping your eyes fixed on it until after you’ve made contact. This will help you maintain a consistent stroke and improve your chances of sinking more putts.

Which Hand Leads In Putting?

When it comes to putting, the hand that leads is important for a smooth stroke and accurate aim. Most golfers use their dominant hand to lead in putting. For right-handed golfers, this means the left hand will be leading, while for left-handed golfers, it’s the right hand.

The leading hand controls the clubface and helps maintain control and consistency throughout the stroke. It’s essential to have a relaxed grip with both hands working together smoothly.

By focusing on your leading hand and ensuring proper alignment and rotation, you can improve your putting accuracy and overall performance on the green.

How tight should you hold a putter?

You should hold a putter with a grip that is firm, but not too tight. Holding it too tightly can make your stroke feel rigid and restrict the natural movement of your hands and arms.

On the other hand, holding it too loosely can cause you to lose control and consistency in your putting stroke. Find a comfortable grip where you have enough control over the putter, but still maintain some flexibility in your hands and wrists.

This will allow for a smooth and fluid motion when striking the ball. Remember to practice this grip during your putting drills to develop muscle memory and improve your overall putting skills.

How far should you stand from the ball when putting?

When putting, it’s important to stand a comfortable distance from the ball. The ideal distance will vary for each golfer, but there are some general guidelines to follow. You should stand with your feet about shoulder-width apart and position the ball directly under your eyes.

This will allow you to see the line of your putt clearly and make accurate strokes. Remember to bend slightly at the waist and keep your arms relaxed for a smooth putting motion. By finding the right distance and maintaining good posture, you’ll have better control over your putts and improve your overall performance on the green.

Should your putter touch the ground?

When it comes to putting, there is some debate about whether your putter should touch the ground. Some golfers believe that keeping the putter slightly off the ground helps with alignment and prevents unwanted friction.

On the other hand, some golfers prefer to let their putter rest lightly on the ground for stability and consistency. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and what feels most comfortable for you.

Experiment with both methods during practice sessions and see which one yields better results for your putting stroke. Remember, finding a technique that works best for you is key to improving your overall putting skills.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using the best putting drills can greatly improve your putting skills. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, these exercises can help you with accuracy, distance control, and confidence on the greens.

So grab your putter and start practicing today to see noticeable improvements in your game!