Putting is often considered the most important part of the game, yet it’s the area where most amateur golfers waste the majority of their strokes. The difference between a good putter and a great one is consistency and routine—qualities that are honed through dedicated, focused practice.
Our featured video, “Tips From The Tour – Putting Drills to Practice”, brings you the exact drills that professional golfers use to sharpen their skills. These aren’t complicated techniques; they are simple, repeatable exercises designed to build perfect pace, impeccable alignment, and the confidence needed to perform under pressure.
The Tour Philosophy: Why Drills Work
Professional golfers know that putting is a game of millimeters. They rely on drills to remove human error and build a stroke that is mechanically sound and free of manipulation.
- Consistency is Key: Just as a controlled swing reduces inconsistent strikes, consistent practice drills ensure a repeatable stroke motion and tempo.
- Performance Under Pressure: Putting is highly mental. Drills that demand perfection and repetition, like those practiced by pros, build the confidence required to sink clutch putts in competitive matches.
Essential Putting Drills You Need to Master
The video focuses on practical drills that address the two biggest flaws in amateur putting: poor alignment and inconsistent distance control.
1. The Gate Drill (Alignment)
This classic drill uses two tees placed just wide enough to allow the putter head to swing through.
- Purpose: It forces you to maintain a square clubface and a straight stroke path. If your clubface is open or closed, you will hit a tee.
- Tip: Combine this with a simple pre-shot routine to ensure you are aimed correctly before starting your stroke.
2. The Ladder Drill (Distance Control)
This drill is the fastest way to master pace—the speed at which the ball reaches the hole.
- Purpose: Start with a short putt (3 feet) and move back in increments (6 feet, 9 feet, etc.). The goal is to sink the putt or ensure it goes slightly past the hole, eliminating the dreaded mistake of leaving the ball short.
- Tip: Focus on the length of your backswing, correlating specific swing lengths with specific distances.
3. The One-Handed Drill (Feel and Rhythm)
Putting should be an extension of your body, not a jerky hand-and-wrist movement.
- Purpose: Practicing short putts with only one hand forces you to use the larger muscles of your shoulders and arms, promoting the smooth, pendulum-like motion that creates a consistent tempo. This is crucial for beginners and helps prevent the kind of wrist collapse that ruins a full swing.
Conclusion
Mastering these Tips From The Tour will give you a major advantage on the green. Stop wasting shots and start sinking more putts by incorporating these simple Putting Drills to Practice into your routine. A great short game is the quickest way to play your best golf.
Ready to start putting like a professional? Check on YouTube