How to Improve Your Putting: Simple Drills for Better Accuracy

Putting is one of the most important skills in golf. A strong putting game can significantly lower your score, while inconsistency on the greens can cost you strokes. Many golfers struggle with accuracy, speed control, and confidence in their putting stroke. Fortunately, targeted drills can help refine technique and improve overall performance.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best drills to improve your putting accuracy, build consistency, and increase confidence on the greens.

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TLDR – Quick Guide

• The Gate Drill improves stroke path and alignment.
• The Coin Drill ensures smooth and controlled putting motion.
• The Distance Control Ladder Drill helps with pace and lag putting.
• The One-Handed Putting Drill strengthens stability and feel.
• The Clock Drill develops confidence in short putts under pressure.

The Best Drills to Improve Your Putting

1. The Gate Drill for Straight Putting

Why It’s Important: Ensures a consistent stroke path and improves accuracy.

How to Do It:

1. Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head, forming a gate.
2. Position a golf ball just beyond the gate and set up your stroke.
3. Take a smooth putting stroke, making sure the putter passes through the gate without hitting the tees.
4. Repeat 10-15 times, focusing on keeping the putter face square.

Key Benefit: Improves stroke consistency and alignment, leading to straighter putts.

2. The Coin Drill for Centered Contact

Why It’s Important: Helps eliminate unnecessary wrist movement and keeps the stroke stable.

How to Do It:

1. Place a small coin on the back of your putter head.
2. Make short putts (3-5 feet) without letting the coin fall off.
3. If the coin stays in place, your stroke is smooth and balanced.
4. Repeat 15-20 times to reinforce a stable motion.

Key Benefit: Encourages a steady, controlled stroke, reducing off-center hits.

3. The Distance Control Ladder Drill

Why It’s Important: Helps golfers control speed and improve lag putting.

How to Do It:

1. Set up five golf balls at increasing distances (5, 10, 15, 20 feet).
2. Putt each ball toward a target, focusing on getting them within a small target zone.
3. Repeat the sequence in reverse order.
4. Track consistency and adjust stroke length as needed.

Key Benefit: Develops better touch and distance control to avoid three-putts.

4. The One-Handed Putting Drill

Why It’s Important: Improves feel, stability, and proper hand mechanics.

How to Do It:

1. Grip the putter with only your lead hand (left for right-handed golfers, right for left-handed golfers).
2. Putt a series of 10 balls from 3-5 feet using only one hand.
3. Switch hands and repeat with your trail hand.
4. Return to your standard grip and notice improved stability.

Key Benefit: Strengthens hand coordination and reduces excessive wrist movement.

5. The Clock Drill for Pressure Putts

Why It’s Important: Builds confidence in short putts under pressure.

How to Do It:

1. Place six golf balls in a circle around the hole, each 3 feet away.
2. Attempt to make all six putts in a row.
3. If you miss one, restart the drill from the beginning.
4. Increase the difficulty by expanding the circle to 4 or 5 feet.

Key Benefit: Reinforces confidence and composure when making short putts in high-pressure situations.

Key Takeaways

• Drills like the Gate Drill and Coin Drill improve putting accuracy and consistency.
• Distance control exercises help prevent costly three-putts.
• Short putt drills like the Clock Drill develop confidence under pressure.
• Consistent practice with structured drills leads to improved putting performance.

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