The best putting drills

Putting affects your score more than most people realize.

Golfers around a 25-handicap average nearly 6 three-putts a round, while those who shoot under 80 are closer to 2–3. So one of the best ways to lower your score is to improve distance control and the short putts.

Here are five simple drills you can do on a practice green or at home on a putting mat.

1. The Gate

Place two tees just wider than the ball, about 30 cm in front of it.

The goal is for the ball to pass through the gate without touching the tees.

This drill improves the ball's start line, one of the most important parts of a good putt.

2. The Clock

Place six balls in a circle about one metre from the hole.

Hole them all in a row. If you miss, start again.

This builds confidence on the short putts and trains you to repeat the same stroke under pressure.

3. The Putting Ladder

Set up and mark points 5, 7, 9 and 11 metres away from you.

Putt the first ball as close as possible to the 5 m point, then the next, and so on.

The goal isn't necessarily to hole the putt, but to control the speed and get the ball close.

Most three-putts start with poor distance control.

4. The Way Home

Pick a long putt.

Try to stop the ball within one metre of the hole.

Don't try to hole it out.

Better distance control dramatically reduces the odds of a three-putt.

5. Around the World

Place balls at 1 m, 1.5 m and 2 m in a spiral around the hole.

You have to hole one at each station to move on to the next. If you miss, you go back one station.

This drill improves both your confidence and your ability to putt under pressure.

Make the drills measurable

Instead of just putting, keep track of:

• how many of 10 you hole,
• your average distance past the hole,
• and how many putts it takes to finish each drill.

Then you'll see whether you're really improving.

In SKAFT. these drills come ready with a score you log, so you can follow your progress over time.

The bottom line

You don't need a perfect practice green to become a better putter.

A few minutes of focused practice a few times a week usually brings more improvement than putting without a clear goal.