Putting Drills

[iPutt]

I need help. My putting lately is absolutely killing me. I've been averaging 40+ putts a round and really not from difficult distances. If I want my game to improve, putting is what is going to do it for me. So my question is, what different drills exactly can I do to help? My main problem comes from being 20-30 feet away and only putting to 5-10 feet either short or past the hole. Really though I need help in every aspect of putting; lag putting, short putts, distance control, and even reading breaks. I've been hitting more greens in regulation as I've been improving, it's just that 75% of the time I'm 3 putting from whatever distance I'm at, short or long. So if you could, please describe the different putting drills that you feel help. Right now, nothing I could do could make me putt worse so even if you want to make any putting suggestions outside of drills it would be greatly appreciated.

I do realize though that sometimes I get a pessimistic attitude on the green and believe that I'm going to miss the short putt and I know this does not help. I've been trying to believe the putt is going to go in, but it's tough when you miss so much and have just overall been having a bad day.

[Ram]

I, too, would like to see some good putting drills, particularly to improve touch on longer putts. This is the part of my game that is keeping me at a five handicap instead of getting to a + something. I hit the ball a lot better than most people but those f@#$*%& putts are killing me!

[Mr Eagle]

Putting.........erm , something we dont pay enough attention to.The most used club in the bag and the least practiced.How much did you spend on a Driver ,that you use maybe ten times a round ? And how much on a putter that you use 30.?

Just thinking aloud but to sum up, Buy a decent putter and practice.Oh and dont look up till it drops

[laxbballgolf]

Just practice more. If you have access to a green without other people around, scatter a bunch of balls around the green randomly and try to one or two putt them all, then repeat. That way, you are practicing everything about a putt all at once: reading it, distance control, and getting used to knocking in the inevitable 3-5 footers; instead of just ingraining the same flat 10 footer over and over again. The key is getting enough practice.

[schigara]

I can't imagine a drill that would give someone hand/eye coordination and depth perception other than just a ton of practice on many different types of greens, which can only be had through playing many different courses many times.

The ladder drill might help.

[ks8829]

Basic Putting

1) Straight putts
2) Lag putting
3) How to read the break

1) All putts are straight putts, so learn to hit a straight putt.
a) practice from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 feet distances
b) make sure you have the proper grip and pressure
c) make sure that your eyes are over the ball
d) make sure that you are putting with your shoulder and not your hands

2) Lag putting
a) distance control is more important on long putts than the line
b) learn to control distance
c) keep your tempo the same for all your putts
d) vary the length of your putts with the length of your backswing and forward swing of the putter
e) use your foot as a guage for distance, inside of your rear foot, outside of your rear foot, etc
f) all your putts should go pass the hole and not short

3) Reading breaks
a) read putts from behind the hole and the low spot of green
b) look at the break from behind the hole and see where at the hole the ball needs to enter to fall into the hole
c) for downhill putts visualize where the ball needs to travel too and where gravity will take over to help reach the hole and then putt to that distance
d) for uphill putts visualize how far the ball needs to travel pass the hole to make it into the hole and putt to that distance
e) uphill putts the ball will not move as much and be more aggressive with distance.
f) downhill putts add more break since the ball will need to die into the hole while it is losing speed it will break more

Summary
a) practice straight and lag putting
b) practice everyday
c) practice the day before you play
d) practice 1 hour to 30 minutes before you play the course
e) say to yourself that you will make this putt before you putt
f) have a pre-putt routine and stick with it everytime, even on tap in putts
g) count how many putts per round
h) practice your short game around the green and this will help lower your putts per round with one putts when you get up and down.
I) you should begin to have less than 30 putts per round.
J) Even Tiger had a bad day putting - remember Sunday at the PGA Championship where he had 33 putts.
K) Have fun putting
L) don't be afraid to try different things while putting
M) gently stretch or walk before and after you putt to losen your back.

[Scott_K]

This is how I do 2e from above:
I pace off my distance from the hole. I have a general idea of how I have firm I have to hit the putt from 5, 10, 15 paces, etc. With my stance, my feet are shoulder width apart. So when I setup, I know I bring my putter back to the right edge of my right shoe for one distance (i.e. 10 paces) and then the inside of my shoe for a shorter distance. Obviously there's variables every round, every green, conditions, time of day, etc. So I have to adjust accordingly. The "power" of my stroke remains the same. If I'm 40-50 feet out, I'll usually have to give it a decent strike.

For shorter putts make sure you give them a chance. One of the best lessons I learned on my HS golf team was that you want to put it past the hole. This ensures that you hit it at a decent pace and give it a chance. When you hit those putts that turn at the cup, chances are you didn't hit it firm. I look to put it a foot past.

I'm an average 36 putter. I don't really practice putting other than a few minutes at home on carpet from time to time, but it's something I'm looking to change because I'd like to get to low 30s. The pre-putt routine is something I find myself not holding tight too. I know my pre-shot routine solid for all of my other shots and stick to it.

[cmay119]

Only recently have I felt like I've gotten the putting stroke down fairly well. It's been the weakest part of my game since I've started playing. The thing I always thought I was doing, but actually wasn't doing was putting with my shoulders.

I've been putting with my forearms and my hands, and didn't even realize it. I thought I was putting with my shoulders, but alas that was not the case.

What I did to correct this, was concentrate on stroking with my shoulder blades. This has led to a much better pendulum stroke, and I'm A LOT more confident in distance control.

Remember too, you should ONLY be putting with your shoulders. Your lower body should NOT be moving at all (a concept that took a long time for me to grasp). Proper posture is important too, practice with a comfortable posture and hold the pose...

I hope this helps you. :D

[shankapotamus]

Basic Putting

I would not do this. Your eyes should be behind and short of the ball. Phil Mickelson goes in depth about this in his DVD. You don't see a sharpshooter with his head over the gun?

[Futuresport]

I keep it real simple. too much thinking about something thats supposed to be all about 'feel' can kill me.

find a real wavy practice green full of extreme breaks, it has helped me tremendously.

1.it will give you confidence enough to trust the break will lead your ball to the hole

2.makes the greens on the course seem easy as you won't be seeing extreme breaks on most holes (usually). and when you do see crazy breaks, you'll know how to play them

as for a mental approach...anyone will tell you, you have to walk up to the putt knowing you're going to make it. don't get caught trying to be careful with your putts.