Golf Putting Drills

Putting Drills to Improve Your Fundamentals

Hitting a golf ball and putting have nothing in common. They're two different games. You work all your life to perfect a repeating swing that will get you to the greens, and then you have to try to do something that is totally unrelated. There shouldn't be any cups, just flag sticks. And then the man who hit the most fairways and greens and got closest to the pins would be the tournament winner.
 - Ben Hogan

Warm Up Drills: The Circle and All in Row Long Putt Drills well help you quickly establish your feel and rhythm. Also, by starting out making a lot of short putts you will improve your confidence level before a match.

Tunnel Drill

Distance Control Drills: The best way to control your distance is to practice on the various lengths of your back stroke and follow through. Developing a good feel for how much speed is applied for different lengths of your putting stroke is critical.

Consistency Drill: The Cage Drill is an excellent exercise for being able to become consistent with your putting stroke but also helps with your distance control. 

Accuracy Drills: The Tunnel and Gate Drill are exercises for helping you practice on becoming more accurate in your putting game. In addition these drills well help you work on eye alignment and keeping the putter head square to the target line.

Wrist Control Drills: The main benefit of these drills are to help reduce your wrist action. The less the wrists flex during your stoke the more square the putter head well be at impact. The Two Ball Drill and the Parallel Club Drill will help you practice in hitting the ball square.

Eyes Closed: Many of the golf putting drills should also be practiced with your eyes closed. The goal here is to be able to vision the putt in your mind and your feel and rhythm will significantly improve.

FUNDAMENTALS: Before starting your golf putting drills it is good to double check your putting fundamentals to be sure they are sound. Although many pro golfers do have different putting strokes and styles, there are certain basics that many incorporate in there game. 

If you would like more detail on basic putting fundamentals visit Golf Putting Lessons and Tips.com where you will find in depth lessons on all aspects of putting. Also, set your self up a structured putting practice routine where you write out how much time you are going to devote, the areas you well cover and the goals you wish to accomplish.

I've heard people say putting is 50 percent technique and 50 percent mental. I really believe it is 50 percent technique and 90 percent positive thinking, see, but that adds up to 140 percent, which is why nobody is 100 percent sure how to putt.
 - Chi Chi Rodriguez

Instructions on Putting Drills to help make Pressure Putts


 
Source: Golf Confidence Academy  http://golfconfidence.org/category/video_golf_instruction 
and protourgolfcollege.com

Golf Putting Tips - Highlights of Video 

• Covers technical skills where you might have some need additional training 
• Techniques to work on your visualization skills
• Illustrates the Progressive Intensity Putting Drill
• Getting your speed correct and then work on the right target line
• Explains that the most important thing is that if you train correctly
• Understand the importance of speed 
• 6-foot Circle Golf Putting Drill
• Putting drills used by Tiger Woods that he has used continuously over the years 
• and much more...

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Putting Drills for Under Pressure  by Golf Confidence Academy
Covers technical skills where you might have some need additional training.Techniques to work on your visualization skills

Three Stroke - Saving Putting Drills   by Jack Moorehouse
Below are three great putting drills I've used in my golf lessons over the years designed to hone your putting skills.

Importance of Golf Putting Drills   by Paul Hobart
In the case of golf, when you spend those extra few minutes on the greens, practicing for your next match, you are actually preparing yourself for the speed and alertness that the game will demand of you.

By Jack Moorehouse

Sinking more putts, as I've said in my golf tips, is the key to quickly lowering your golf handicap. You use your putter more than any other club in the bag. Think about it. Two-putting each hole during a round means you used your putter 36 times. That's anywhere from 30 percent to 40 percent of most scores. Yet the average golfer spends far less time practicing his or her putting than working on his driving or chipping.

If that's you, then you need to make the most of your time on the practice green. Develop a routine practicing your putting that makes use of every minute you're on the green. Try sinking every putt you take, unless you're practicing your lag putting. And include drills in your practice routine designed to improve your putting fundamentals. Below are three great putting drills I've used in my golf lessons over the years designed to hone your putting skills.

Steady Head Drill

Among the most common mistakes I see in my golf lessons is a player moving his or her head while putting. We all know we should keep our heads still during a putt. And many of us do. But some players still have a hard time doing it. They look up to see where the ball is going once they've hit the putt. That's only natural. Moving your head hampers accuracy. To put well, you have to keep your head down and steady throughout the stroke. The Steady Head drill teaches you that.

Assume your normal putting stance, with your eyes fixed directly over the ball. Have your partner hold your head while you hit the putt, releasing it only after you've made contact with the ball. Keep looking at the spot where the ball was after you've made contact and count to three. Then look up to see where the ball went. Some teachers recommend staring at the spot where the ball was until you hear the ball fall in the cup. That works, too.

Eyes Closed Drill

Golf teachers often talk about "feel" in their golf instruction sessions. All great putters have great feel when it comes to putting. It's among the most important attributes you can develop when it involves the flat stick Your goal, once you've determined your line and assessed your speed requirements, is to remember the feel of a good putting stroke when you hit the ball. Feel can only be developed through practice. This drill helps you develop more feel.

You'll need a partner for this drill. After you've taken your putting stance and fixed your eyes directly over the ball, have your partner putt his hand between your eyes and the ball, blocking you vision. Now putt the ball. If you don't have a partner, close your eyes just before hitting the ball.

This drill encourages you to really feel the movement of your arms. You may fined that the slower they move, the more consistent your putting. Plus. it's a great exercise for learning distance control. Hit 10 putts with someone holding their hand in front of your face or with your eyes closed. See how many you can sink. Then try another spot on the green.

Ball Between The Knees Drill

Another common putting error I see in my golf lessons is a lack of stability. To putt well consistently, you must have great stability. Unfortunately, weekend golfers tend to move their lower bodies when they putt. That's a fatal mistake, but one that an be corrected with the help of a big rubber ball.

Take your normal putting stance on the practice green. Then wedge a rubber ball between your legs. Now squeeze the ball slightly with your thighs. Keeping the ball tight between your legs creates a solid foundation for your putting. Now hit some putts. Hitting putts this way helps develop a real feel for stability, essential to achieving a consistent putting stroke.

Work on these three drills from a variety of spots on the practice drill. They encourage better putting by ingraining three key putting fundamentals. If you keep practicing them, you'll eventually sink more putts per round, lowering your scores and golf handicap. You take more shots per round with your putter than any other club in your back. Make them all good ones.

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book "How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros." He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately. He has a free weekly newsletter with the latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf instruction.

Illustration on Golf Putting drills to Practice at home

             
           Source:  Ken Martin PGA  member  http://collegeofgolf.keiseruniversity

Summary of Video Content:

• Makes use of PVC pipe to setup practicing straight putts

• Check to see if your putter swinging is correct

• Controlling your forward swing path

• Aid in controlling the heel and toe of the putter club face

Phil Mickelson - Secrets of the Short Game

This is a must have DVD for any golfer who is serious about golf and wants to lower their score. It not only covers how to putt and practice your putting but you also get a complete run down of the entire short game. Highly recommended from one of the best professional golfer on the tour today.

- Includes two DVD disks covering the entire short game

- Fully covers Putting, Chipping, Pitching and Bunker Play

- Also demonstrates the famous "Flop Shop"
                                                                                                                    

TPK Golf Training Aid Putting Stick 
For improving accuracy the TPK Putting stick is excellent because it gives you immediate feedback if your putting stroke is not  accurate.

• Stoke Accuracy to within better then one degree

• Helps check that you have perfect eye alignment

• Monitors that your swing length is correct

• Included is a twenty minute training DVD which includes putting fundamentals


                                                                                                               


Z Factor Perfect Putting Machine
The important benefit of this putting machine is help you improve your feel and develop the perfect putting stroke


- Helps guide your eyes to identify the target line and aim your putter correctly at address

- The parallel design helps in setting up your feet and shoulders square to the target line

- Aids in developing consistent ball position, a critical aspect of a repeating stroke.

- Z Factor Perfect Putting Machine is simple use to setup and use

The Z Factor Putting Machine has been ordered by PGA Tour members, PGA teaching professionals and golf training schools
                                                                                                               

Putting Connection
Perfect training for improving your putting stroke by helping you putt in one solid piece of your upper body. 

Improves Your Putting Stoke

- Trains you to use the preferred one piece triangular upper body and use the recommended pendulum putting motion.

Circle Drill:
A simple warm up putting drill is the circle drill. Most PGA tour players well practice this drill at the beginning of their routine in order to establish their feel and rhythm and gain confidence.

At the beginning of your round get to the course early so you at least have a little bit of time to build confidence by practicing several short putts to build confidence.

To Start:

• Set seven to eight balls in a circle around the hole about a clubs length away from the hole.
• Next, one at time putt each one into the hole.
• Continue this process until you can make the entire circle without missing one.
• Focus on your posture and eyes directly over the ball.
• Also, get a feel for the length of your putting stroke for this distance.
• Your aim is about three inches past the hole so you do not come up short.

After you are able to make the circle consistently, make another circle farther out about six feet away. Repeat the process again. Continue do this until your about ten to twelve feet out.


You will quickly notice that you will develop a consistent tempo and feel for distance.


Close Your Eyes: 
Repeat the circle drill with your eyes closed. Visualize the putt in your mind and then right before you putt close your eyes. 

You will be amazed at how this technique will improve your feel and help control your distance. Try to incorporate those thoughts in your subconscious. This technique of closing your eyes will significantly improve your self confidence and develop trust in your own ability.

 
Instructor Dave Pelz illustrates the circle drill using a three foot radius.

Now is also a good time to review your setup and posture. Keep checking your feet, shoulders and eyes. They should all be parallel to the target line. 


All in Row Drill: 
Like the circle drill, this is another excellent warm up drill to practice with.The payback of this golf drill is similar in that it also helps develop a feel for distance and build a rhythm. 

Start by setting up six to seven balls in a row about a foot apart.

• Begin by putting the ball closest to the hole.
• Next, move to the next ball that is closest to the hole but a little farther back.
  
• Continue this until you have putted all the balls.
• Your goal is to be able to putt every ball in the row in the hole.
• You will develop a feel for how much adjustment you need to make for a small change in the distance.
• What stays constant is the target line. Your main focus is on the slight variation in the distance.
• Also, keep your body parallel to the target line.

Remember, you are controlling based on the length of your stroke and avoid any wrist action.

Next Step: 
Make two rows but space the balls differently. Make one row two feet apart and the second row four feet apart.

Begin with the first row with the ball closest to the hole, then move over to the second row. Continue this process by rotating back and forth between rows.The goal here is to develop feel for distance but using two different target line.

Repeat with your Eyes: Similar to the circle drill, repeat this drill with your eyes closed. Keep in mind it is important to ingrain the feeling of the various distance of each putt in your subconscious. 

Follow these Steps:

• Begin by using 4 balls.
• First 3 balls well be your guide balls.
• Move the center ball to where you will strike the ball.
• The back ball marks where you want your backstroke to end
• The forward ball shows where you want your follow through to end.
• Place the final ball a few inches away from the center ball
• Begin by taking practice putts with the goal of stopping your back swing where the back ball is located and stopping your follow through where the forward ball is located.
• Keep a smooth swing and notice how far your ball has traveled based on the step up length you started with.
• Continue by widening the back and forward balls but maintaining a constant and smooth swing.

Shorter putts require the guide row to be close and long putts much wider. The goal is develop a smooth repetitive swing and get the feel for how much distance is the result from varying stroke lengths. 

A common problem among weekend golfers is that they have the habit of looking up to soon and too short of a follow through length. Keep your eyes focused on the ball and fully complete your putting stroke. Try counting to two before looking up to help you break this habit.

• Spread your guide balls wide for long putts. Closer for short putts.

• The white and red line illustrates the entire length of the stoke. 

• Continue practicing with about a dozen balls from each layout. 

Try to keep your stoke length consistent and your rhythm the same for each set up.

• Continue repeating this drill until you develop a understanding and feel for the amount distance toy will get from the different putting stroke lengths.

Again, the objective of this golf putting drill is to control the length of your stoke in order to control distance. If you change the speed of the putter by swinging slow then fast or fast to slow you will not be able to consistently control your distance. You goal is to have a smooth and flowing tempo through out your entire swing.

Keep a smooth rhythm and tempo for each of your strokes and do not to swing harder for longer putts and softer for shorter putts.


Keep practicing this golf putting drill until you can consistently achieve the same distance with varying lengths of your putting stoke.

The next golf putting drill lesson will help you become more consistent with your putts and also help improve on controlling your distance.

Cage Putting Drill

• Start by laying out three clubs around the hole so they form a opening and they are roughly 3 feet away from the hole.
• Have the hole should be roughly half way between the two clubs that are parallel.
• Begin to take practice putts from about 10-12 feet out.
• The goal is to get all the putts either in the hole or inside the cage but not touching any of the clubs.
• By practicing this drill you get in the habit of applying enough speed so you do not come up short.
• Remember that if you do miss you will be only left with a very short putt.

Second Step is to Practice from Farther Out: 
Go Through the entire putting drill by practicing farther away, about twenty feet. Keep practicing until you can get all ten balls within the opening. The objective is to become more consistent at each distance.


Remember that your distance is controlled with the length of your stoke. Keep maintaining a smooth rhythm and tempo to your stroke with no quick burst of power.

By repeatable practice you will be able to consistently get with in three feet of the hole on your long putts.

Below video demonstrates these practice techniques:




Repeat this drill with Your Eyes Closed: Repeat the entire the drill again but this time with your eyes closed. Prior to hitting the ball close your eyes. You have already gotten the feel from the first round, so now you want to ingrain that feeling in your subconscious.


By visualizing a putt in your mind you will significantly improve your speed, distance and to trust your stoke. We highly recommend practicing with your eyes because of the improvements it will make to your over all putting game.

PRACTICE TIP: 
Take the small flag pole and set it behind a hole about 18-24 inches. 

Take practice putts to either go in the cup or end up between the flag pole and hole.

This will help get you in the habit of not coming up short.



Again, the goal is to get in the habit of not coming up short. Only apply enough speed to the ball that if you do miss the putt you should ended up past the hole by only a few inches.

Over time you well be able to lower your score by sinking more putts if you regularly get your ball just slightly past the hole.

The next golf putting drill lesson well focus on developing accuracy.


Continue to Next Lesson Accuracy Golf Putting Drill


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Mark your Width

The Tunnel Drill: The tunnel golf putting drill will help you maintain a square club face to the target line and improve your putting accuracy. While practicing this drill is a good time to also review your posture and setup routine.

To Begin:









Be sure to use the guide strings for aligning your eyes, hips, shoulders and feet so they are all parallel to the target line.

Now, begin taking practice putts and keeping your club face aiming straight down the target line using the string as your guide.


Practice until you can keep the ball inside the tunnel every time.

If your ball goes outside the the guide strings you should be able to easily correct it by repositioning your putter head parallel to the target line.


This drill well also help your long putts by keeping you body properly aligned and your putter square to the target line.
 

GATE DRILL: This is a simple set up practice drill that only requires two tees spread apart the width of your putter.

- Step back about six to eight feet and work on getting the balls between the two openings.

 - Keep practicing with the same stoke length with ten to twelve balls.

 - The goal is to get each putt through the gate and in addition to getting each ball to touch each other after they get through the gate. 

By mastering the Gate Drill you will see Significant Improvements in the Accuracy of your putts. The bottom line is that you are fine tuning your set up, posture and maintaining a stoke path along the target line.

Tiger Woods practicing the Gate Drill

 It is very important that your club head is square and stays parallel to the target line. Remember that a key putting fundamental is to keep your shoulders, arms and putter acting as a single unit. Develop a smooth one piece upper body motion with almost no body rotation or flexing of the wrists. The lower body should remain relatively
stationary.


Putting Tip: Find a spot where the edge of the green is straight for a couple of feet. 


You can use this edge to check to see if your putter stoke is nice and parallel. 

It only takes a couple of practice stokes to determine if your putter club head is staying parallel target line.

With only a few minor adjustments maybe all that is needed to straighten out your putts. This is a great check when ever you are out on the course.

The next golf putting drill lesson well work on developing the proper wrist action in your putting stroke.