Putting Drills?

[Dave325]

I have been taking some extra time to work on my putting.... stroke/contact, line, distance, etc. I have been plagued with way too many 3-putts on the card (arg).
 

So, about drills...  I have a couple drills I do, like putting down a yardstick trying to keep the ball on the stick to the end to practice the line. And, the basic round the clock drills by the hole to work on green reading. But that’s about it. Interested to find out what drills work for others here. How much do you practice putting? What drills do you work on that have helped your putting?  

[Slim_Pivot]

56 minutes ago, Dave325 said:

I have been taking some extra time to work on my putting.... stroke/contact, line, distance, etc. I have been plagued with way too many 3-putts on the card (arg).
 

So, about drills...  I have a couple drills I do, like putting down a yardstick trying to keep the ball on the stick to the end to practice the line. And, the basic round the clock drills by the hole to work on green reading. But that’s about it. Interested to find out what drills work for others here. How much do you practice putting? What drills do you work on that have helped your putting?  

I have a really hard time aiming my putter. I got that putting mat that DJ currently sponsors.

It has really helped me train my eyes, “roll my bead” as they say around here, and work on my technique (had a lesson on it)

I just putt around 5 mins at a time throughout the day.

[iacas]

24 minutes ago, Slim_Pivot said:

I have a really hard time aiming my putter. I got that putting mat that DJ currently sponsors.

It has really helped me train my eyes, “roll my bead” as they say around here, and work on my technique (had a lesson on it)

I just putt around 5 mins at a time throughout the day.

We should check you on the Edel system the next time you're here.

[StuM]

1 hour ago, Dave325 said:

I have been taking some extra time to work on my putting.... stroke/contact, line, distance, etc

For Stroke/contact I use a Dave Pelz putting tutor.  It is intended to help you start the ball on the intended line.  To help aim on the intended line I simply draw a long dark line on the ball to help aim.  I am working on Aimpoint to help identify the intended line.  
 

 

[Slim_Pivot]

10 minutes ago, iacas said:

We should check you on the Edel system the next time you're here.

For sure, I will definitely try. Training my eyes every day is exhausting.

 Hopefully I don’t fail the fitting again

[iacas]

10 minutes ago, Slim_Pivot said:

For sure, I will definitely try. Training my eyes every day is exhausting.

 Hopefully I don’t fail the fitting again

New system, yeah. Worth a shot. 😄

[Shindig]

4 hours ago, Dave325 said:

I have been taking some extra time to work on my putting.... stroke/contact, line, distance, etc. I have been plagued with way too many 3-putts on the card (arg)

What aspect of putting are you failing at?  For example, I can consistently do the ruler drill to over 80% accuracy (I often get 20+ to go straight out of 25).  Yet I'm a terrible putter, so lately I've been doing a "coin drill" at 4' and 6' (sometimes one or the other, sometimes one then the other).  I put 12 coins in a circle, approx equally spaced, around a hole, and try to make a putt from each coin.  I pick up the coin when I make one from there, and count total putts.  This gives a little bit for line and reading short putts.  I really should institute a penalty for myself when I leave one short from that distance.

ESC also had a great drill from 12' or so:  pick a hole 12' or so from you (doesn't have to be exact), putt one ball to it.  Make it, give yourself two points.  Two-putt, and the first went past the hole?  No change.  Two-putt, first didn't get to the hole?  Lose a point.  Three-putt (or worse), lose 3.  See if you can get to 10 points.

I guess I'm asking:  is it read, speed, or bead that you're struggling with?

[boogielicious]

9 hours ago, Dave325 said:

I have been taking some extra time to work on my putting.... stroke/contact, line, distance, etc. I have been plagued with way too many 3-putts on the card (arg).
 

So, about drills...  I have a couple drills I do, like putting down a yardstick trying to keep the ball on the stick to the end to practice the line. And, the basic round the clock drills by the hole to work on green reading. But that’s about it. Interested to find out what drills work for others here. How much do you practice putting? What drills do you work on that have helped your putting?  

A good drill that doesn’t need a gadget is putting to hit another ball. Start with two balls one foot apart on a straight putt. On the practice green you can do this putting uphill. Aim and align to hit the second ball dead center, kind of like pool. When you can do that easily, move the ball out to two feet, three feet, etc. It’s basically a start line drill. On the course, your are aiming on your start line.

[Dave325]

5 hours ago, Shindig said:

What aspect of putting are you failing at?  For example, I can consistently do the ruler drill to over 80% accuracy (I often get 20+ to go straight out of 25).  Yet I'm a terrible putter, so lately I've been doing a "coin drill" at 4' and 6' (sometimes one or the other, sometimes one then the other).  I put 12 coins in a circle, approx equally spaced, around a hole, and try to make a putt from each coin.  I pick up the coin when I make one from there, and count total putts.  This gives a little bit for line and reading short putts.  I really should institute a penalty for myself when I leave one short from that distance.

ESC also had a great drill from 12' or so:  pick a hole 12' or so from you (doesn't have to be exact), putt one ball to it.  Make it, give yourself two points.  Two-putt, and the first went past the hole?  No change.  Two-putt, first didn't get to the hole?  Lose a point.  Three-putt (or worse), lose 3.  See if you can get to 10 points.

I guess I'm asking:  is it read, speed, or bead that you're struggling with?

It appears that there has been no aspect of my putting that has been great. Though my distance has gotten better, since I’ve done a fair amount of lag putting for distance feel. So... a bit of history.... I went through a lot of different putters and read all the books, but never got confident on the greens. A couple weeks ago, I was sitting 2 on a par 5 with a 30 footer left for eagle. No eagle or birdie. 3 putted for a par (arg). So, after that embarrassment... I knew it was time to get serious about my putting. After that... I have completely revamped my technique, grip, and flow. I settled in to Stan Utley’s technique/style. I believe my trailing arm was messing me up. This is much better now and a stroke I can build on, which is the question about drills to help ingrain the feel... I like the two drills you mentioned with the coins and the 12’ game. Thanks... I am going to use those. My ruler drill will yield me about 30%, so still have a lot of work to do on the line. I plan reviewing my AimPoint video today to help with reads. 

[klineka]

1 hour ago, Dave325 said:

A couple weeks ago, I was sitting 2 on a par 5 with a 30 footer left for eagle. No eagle or birdie. 3 putted for a par (arg). 

Managing expectations might help you become more confident. Your handicap isn't listed but it looks like you have at least broken 90 based on your awards. The average 90 shooter 3 putts from 30 feet roughly 18% of the time. That's basically 1 out of every 5 times. Yes you were on in two on a par 5, but whether you 3 putt from 30 feet for a par on a par 5 or 3 putt for a bogey on a par 4, a 3 putt is still a 3 putt and they happen. Try not to beat yourself up over them, especially when you're 30+ feet out with your first putt.

Even a scratch golfer will 3 putt roughly 1 out of 10 times from 30 feet.

Also re-read the LSW section about putting, there are some putting drills in there that could help

 

[Club Rat]

I've used a simple drill for years which is basic and simple.
I start with a straight putt from 4 ft. Roll 3 putts twice from this length.
Then move to 6 ft. with same routine.
Them 8 ft.

Next I select another spot/angle and repeat.
I practice these using various breaks, settle to benders and various slope conditions.

I'll also use a dime as a target by placing it in a spot I am referencing as the intended line.

For distance control, I simply roll 2 putts to different targets and repeat on various slopes and directions.
I typically do not spend too much time on distance control, but will always roll a few long putts before each round.

[Dave325]

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions and drills. Just got back from the putting green and worked on a good portion of these drills. I love the 12’ drill to score 10. A work in progress. Thanks all.