Symptom: Sadly, you lack putting confidence. There’s almost no distance of putt where you can confidently say, “I can easily make this one”.
For you, every putt, no matter how short, is another knee-knocking adventure. So you push some, pull some, leave some short, and so on.
Maybe you compulsively purchase putter after putter, thinking that the problem is your equipment…
Overview: On the putting green, find a level, straight, slightly uphill putt.
Put several balls in a straight line, starting one foot from the cup, with each successive ball two feet further away.
Putt the nearest ball in the hole, then the next nearest, and so on. This will give you confidence. Repeat until you are making the longest putt most of the time.
Why it works: This drill is all about putting confidence, about walking before you run. It’s a great drill to do before every round of golf you play.
The nearest ball really does need to be one foot from the hole. Yes, that’s right — one foot. Easy to make. Super simple.
You will make it every time, but do it anyway. This is very important. You need to see the ball drop into the hole and hear the sound it makes. It gives you a good feeling and sets your brain into a positive mode. It’s a great confidence booster.
Indeed, if you have limited warm up time, and only two minutes on the putting green before your foursome has to tee off, I suggest you do this drill. It’s your best use of time.
Turbocharge Your Putting Confidence With the Balls in a Line Drill
Andy North demonstrates the balls in a line putting drill, which helps your putting confidence.
By sinking the close putts, you gain confidence in your putting. Each successive putt is only a few feet further away than the previous putt, and on the same line, and straight, so you maximize your chances of sinking the putt.
And, your brain will tell you, “You made the previous putt, which was only a little closer than the current putt. So, surely you can make this putt.” And so your confidence builds.
You will find that you need to make ever-more purer putting strokes to sink the longer putts.
And in so doing your confidence in your short putting will grow, which will help reduce the number of dreaded three putts during your round.
Andy North demonstrates the drill for us. Have a look:
And, of course, even straight putts need an aiming point. Once your stroke is pure, you should combine this drill with the surround the cup putting drill, to get a feel for the break in the greens, in all your putting practice sessions (if there is time, of course!).
Over time you will build confidence in your short and intermediate-range putting through this drill. And with confidence comes better scores, more fun, and a lower handicap!
Does this drill help you become the Boss of the Moss in your foursome with unmistakable putting confidence? Then tell your friends — Like, Share, Tweet, or Email below! And don’t miss the next drill — sign up for free updates below!
