| There are three basic kinds of putting practice drills: | | | | time just before and right after impact. And, you |
| - Distance Control | | | | must keep your putter low to the ground for the |
| - Stroke Consistency | | | | most consistent roll. As you get the feel for this drill, |
| - Confidence | | | | then start to increase your distance away from the |
| DISTANCE CONTROL | | | | hole. |
| You should not putt to a hole when practicing your | | | | You will find that this drill will help you under actual |
| distance control. You should putt towards the fringe | | | | playing conditions because you will be able to visualize |
| or stick a pair of tees in the green about two feet | | | | the string going to the hole on straight putts. And, it |
| apart to for a gate, or lay a piece of bright colored | | | | will help you visualize your intended line on breaking |
| twine down in a line a couple of feet long. | | | | putts as well. |
| In each case you should try various lengths of putts | | | | As you try multiple putts, be sure and vary your |
| working on getting your distance as consistent as | | | | distances and even move your string position |
| possible. You can make a mini-game out of your | | | | occasionally so that you do not wear out an area of |
| practice by trying first to see how close you can | | | | the practice putting green by standing in one place |
| come without going past your distance marker, then | | | | too long. |
| trying some putts to see if you can stop right on the | | | | - The Circle Drill |
| marker line and then finally see how close you can | | | | For this drill, select a hole in a relatively flat area of |
| come but with just enough distance to go past your | | | | the green and place four or six balls around the hole |
| marker line. | | | | in a rough circle.Then putt them into the hole in |
| For putts longer than about six feet, there seem to | | | | rotation. Start with the balls only about two feet |
| be two theories about the ideal distance to try and | | | | from the hole. When you have made all four, move |
| hit your putts. Some teachers advocate an "eighteen | | | | out to three feet and repeat. Continue increasing the |
| inch rule", that is that all putts should be hit hard | | | | distance until you miss. Then when you miss, START |
| enough to go eighteen inches past the cup if they | | | | OVER at two feet. |
| don't go in. | | | | This drill will help you repeat your setup and pre-shot |
| The second distance theory is that you should "die | | | | routine and give you a little competitive |
| he ball at the hole "so it has a chance to fall in from | | | | pressure--you will be surprised how the self imposed |
| the side even if it is not perfectly on line. | | | | pressure builds as the distance you are putting from |
| On golf courses that get a lot of play, all of the foot | | | | increases. And, especially as you near setting a new |
| steps in the vicinity of the cup tend to make it into a | | | | "I made them all" distance record for yourself. Once |
| mini-volcano such that putts approaching slowly will | | | | you are confident from six feet and in, then you |
| roll away from the hole if not hit dead center or hit | | | | should pick a hole for the drill that is not in a flat |
| firmly. The "eighteen inch rule" is your best chance if | | | | area.. This will give you practice on uphill, downhill, left |
| you encounter courses with the areas around the | | | | breaking and right breaking putts. |
| cups worn down. | | | | - The Ladder Drill |
| If on the other hand you play a course that changes | | | | This drill is similar to the Circle Drill, but is more |
| the cup locations on the green nearly every day and | | | | effective for learning how to make breaking putts. |
| the course does not get a lot of daily play then the | | | | You start with a hole in a non-flat area of the green |
| "die it at the hole" approach will give you the best | | | | and place 4 to 6 balls in a line going away from the |
| chance of making more putts. | | | | hole. As you make each putt you will get a good feel |
| STROKE CONSISTENCY | | | | for how much break to play and what speed to hit |
| Here are some drills and training aids to help you | | | | the ball with. You can use the same kind of "game" |
| develop a consistent stroke. | | | | by making the distance between the balls increasingly |
| - The String Drill | | | | larger as you work on making all of them. |
| The string drill has been shown to give excellent | | | | - The Lag Drill |
| results in helping develop a straight back / straight | | | | This drill will really help you learn to control your |
| through stroke that follows the natural arc formed | | | | distance. A string is used for the distance marker, but |
| by the shoulders and arms. By using a "string" | | | | the edge of the green or two widely spaced tees or |
| between two small posts, a line to the hole can be | | | | a couple of golf balls could have been used. The |
| setup at various distances. Usually, a ten foot string | | | | purpose is to concentrate on the distance the ball is |
| will let you practice your stroke on four, six and eight | | | | going, not on hitting a specific target line. |
| foot putts. By having the height of the string just | | | | CONFIDENCE |
| above the golf ball, it will also help assure that you | | | | You gain confidence by repeating a successful action.. |
| are keeping your putter low to the ground during | | | | By working on relatively short (2 to 3 foot) putts |
| your stroke. | | | | you will make a high percentage of them and build |
| You need to pick a level spot on the putting green. | | | | confidence to work up to longer putts. You can |
| Put one post right behind the hole and the other out | | | | further improve by working with a very small target. |
| about ten to twelve feet away from the hole such | | | | Place a dime on the green or stick a tee in the green |
| that the string is tight and about two inches above | | | | and try to hit them. You will be amazed how much |
| the ground. You then place the ball (only about two | | | | larger the cup will look after such drills. |
| feet from the hole) under the string and place your | | | | Remember: If you believe you will make the putt, |
| putter behind the ball. You should take the putter | | | | you probably will. |
| back and through very slowly at first to watch that | | | | And, if you don't believe you will make the putt, you |
| it goes straight back / straight though and that the | | | | probably will not. |
| face stays square to the hole(string line) during the | | | | |