5 Extremely Effective Putting Drills

Every golfer knows the saying: you drive for show, but you putt for dough. No matter which Arizona golf course you play, having a sharp short game and solid putting skills is essential for an outstanding round. While hitting long drives feels great, not everyone can swing like Bryson DeChambeau. Ultimately, if your putting isn’t accurate, all the distance you gain off the tee won’t help your score.

Improve your ability to sink more putts with these expert tips from the team at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club and pros worldwide.

Best Putting Drills 

1. The Eye Exam golf putting drills via Golf.com

Step 1 – Pick a target on the ground at least 20 feet away from you, such as the bottom of the flagstick. Burn that target into your brain.

Step 2 – Close your eyes, raise your arms, keeping all else very still, and point your two index fingers where you believe the target to be (still with those eyes closed).

Step 3 – Open your eyes and note where your fingers are pointing in relation to the target.

According to Dr. Craig Farnsworth, O.D., many golfers struggle with depth perception, often underestimating the true distance to the hole. In some cases, players may misjudge by as much as 25 percent, making a 25-foot putt seem like only 20 feet. This significant error can lead to costly mistakes on the green, affecting both confidence and scoring. To combat this, golfers should incorporate drills that enhance distance control and improve their ability to accurately judge putt length. Practicing with a focus on visualizing the correct distance, combined with consistent stroke mechanics, can help reduce these perceptual errors and lead to more successful putts during actual rounds.


2. The Path Drill via GolfTech

Many new golfers push or pull the putt off line. This is caused from an in-to-out or out-to-in swing path. The goal is to keep the swing even and keep a consistent path.

Find a flat area on the practice green and place two clubs on the ground wide enough to place the putter head behind the ball. Swing the putter between the two clubs and hit the ball. If the putter hits any of the clubs, you are not swinging the putter down the target line. Make sure the putter head stays low to the ground and follows through.

3. The “Foot Up” Drill (a Rory McIlroy tip) via Golf Monthly UK

A great drill that helps you find a solid stroke is to hit a series of putts with one leg in the air. This acts to de-stabilize you and any unnecessary movements will throw you and your stroke completely off balance. Hit 10 or 20 putts with one foot in the air and you'll set a far more solid stroke.

Adding this drill to your practice routine can significantly improve your balance and stability during the putting stroke, which are critical for consistent ball striking. By forcing your body to maintain control with one foot raised, you develop muscle memory that promotes a smoother, more controlled stroke when both feet are on the ground. This enhanced stability can translate into better accuracy and distance control on the greens, especially under pressure situations.

4. The Ladder Drill via LostGolfBalls.com

The Ladder Drill is a highly effective putting drill designed to help golfers master distance control and improve their ability to judge varying lengths of putts. By progressively hitting putts to tees set at increasing distances, this drill challenges your focus and precision, helping you develop a consistent putting stroke for both short and long putts. Practicing the Ladder Drill regularly on the putting green can significantly enhance your overall golf game by improving your speed control and accuracy on the greens.

Step 1 - Place a tee in the ground at 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, and 40 feet away.

Step 2 - The purpose of this drill is to control the distance you hit each putt.

Step 3 - This drill begins by hitting a putt to the first tee, which is 10 feet away followed by a 20 footer, a 30 footer, and 40 footer trying to get the ball to stop as close to each tee as possible.

Step 4 - Now it's time to theoretically close the ladder. From the first tee, hit a 30-foot putt, followed by a 20-foot putt, followed by a 10-foot putt to the final tee. Now you have successfully opened and closed the ladder.

Step 5 - The next step is to repeat this drill from the opposite direction.

5. The Ball Striking Drill via The Simple Art of Golf

The Ball Striking Drill is designed to enhance your consistency and precision by focusing on the quality of contact between the putter and the ball. This drill helps golfers develop a more reliable stroke by training them to strike the ball squarely on the sweet spot of the putter face. By emphasizing solid contact, players can improve distance control and accuracy, leading to more confident and effective putting on the green.

Step 1 - After you've read the line and gone through your routine, settle over the ball.

Step 2 - The aim here is to keep your eyes on the back of the ball, which is the contact point for the putter, for a brief period before starting the putting action long enough to say “back of the hole”. You could also count 1-2-3 and then putt on “4.”

Step 3 - Immediately after each putt (before you see where the ball went), grade yourself out of 5 on the quality of the strike, so this starts to become the goal. You'll start to see that the better the quality of your strike (out the sweet-spot) the better the result of the putt.

These days there are more club options than ever. Get fit or experiment with different equipment until you find a configuration that works for you. Whether you choose a mallet or blade style clubhead, find your ideal shaft length and hosel shape to fully optimize your putter. 

At Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club members have the opportunity to test drive new equipment at our Club Fittings and Demo Days. During these events, golf club manufacturers set up shop on our driving rage to showcase their newest equipment. It's a great way to learn about and compare different brands all in one place. 

“There is no similarity between golf and putting; they are two different games – one played in the air and one played on the ground.” ~ Ben Hogan

“Aim the Putter, then align your body.” ~ Tom Watson 

“A pre-putt routine helps you stay nice and relaxed so you can make the best stroke possible.” ~ Tiger Woods

“Bad putting stems from thinking 'How' instead of 'Where'.” ~ Jackie Burke Jnr 

“Gripping the putter too tightly is one of the surest ways to miss a putt of any length, for it is proof in the first place that you are not relaxed and that you are over anxious.” ~ Walter Hagen 

“But no matter what, you still got to get the ball in the hole. No matter how well you play, if you're not knocking in those putts, it's hard to get the job done.” ~ Justin Rose

Choosing the right golf instructor can make a significant difference in how effectively you improve your putting skills. A knowledgeable instructor will not only teach you proper technique but also tailor putting drills to address your specific weaknesses and strengths. They can provide valuable feedback on your putting stroke, help you understand green reading, and introduce training aids like putting mirrors or alignment tools to enhance your practice sessions. Working with a professional ensures you stay motivated, track your progress, and develop a consistent routine that leads to better golf scores. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced golfer, investing in lessons with a qualified instructor can accelerate your improvement and make practicing drills more enjoyable and productive.

Want a little extra help, members can schedule lessons with our incredible staff of golf professionals. Contact us today at the golf shop:  480-983-1411.

If your looking to read more on golf and how to improve your game look no further. Golf Tips for Avoiding Shanks and Avoiding Double and Triple Bogeys have a wealth of information that every golfer should know.