On The Tee with Hank Johnson

There are two things about putting that conflict with each other:

1. Putting represents a significant portion of the game. More than 40% of the strokes played in an average round of golf are putts. This seems to hold true regardless of the players handicap or the score shot. You have to accept this reality.
2. Putting is boring to practice. Therefore you must have ways to practice your putting that help you maintain interest and focus. Practice games are the answer to this dilemma.

Following are some effective putting practice drills:

12 Ball Drill

Place tees at 12,3,6 and 9 o’clock positions around the hole. Make three putts in a row from one position before you move on to the next position. Start at 5 feet and move back as you get better. Your objective is to make all 12 putts in a row without missing. If you choose a cup that is not on a flat part of the green, you practice will include, uphill, downhill and side hill putts.

Short Putt Drill

Place tees at 3,4,5 and 6 feet from the cup. You must complete each distance before moving back to the next distance.

3 feet – make 30 putts in a row
4 feet – make 20 putts in a row
5 feet – make 10 putts in a row
6 feet – make 5 putts in a row

Start with a straight putt and progress to breaking putts

Lag Putt Drill

Practice long putts to a line. Place a string between two tees to create a line across the back of the cup to which you plan to practice. From distances of 20,30 40 and 50 feet use the cup to choose your line if the ball will have enough speed to reach the string. Try to roll each putt to the string. Your goal should be to get each ball within a PUTTER GRIP length of the string. If you master this drill you will virtually eliminate three-putts.