7 Golf Putting Practice Drills That Finally Help Weekend Warriors Sink More Putts
I am a weekend golfer, and like most of us, I used to dread stepping onto the greens. Three-putts were ruining perfectly good rounds, and short putts that should have been gimmes were somehow finding their way around the cup. After 25 years of weekend golf frustration, I discovered that the key wasn't buying another new putter – it was practicing the right drills.
The brutal truth? According to PGA Tour statistics, professional golfers average 29.05 putts per round, while the average amateur shooting 98-99 takes over 40 putts per round. That's 11 extra strokes every single round just on the greens! But here's the good news: putting is the one area where weekend warriors can actually compete with the pros if we practice smart.
How Do You Practice Putting Drills at Home and On the Course?
The beauty of putting drills is their simplicity. Unlike swing changes that require perfect conditions and endless range sessions, putting practice can happen anywhere – your living room carpet, the practice green, or even the office.
Last month, I started dedicating just 15 minutes before each round to specific putting drills instead of aimlessly rolling balls around the practice green. The difference was immediate. My regular golf buddy couldn't believe I'd eliminated the double-breaking four-footers that used to haunt me.
As Phil Kenyon (Master PGA Professional, specialist putting coach to Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, with over 90 Tour wins and 6 majors) explains: "The biggest question I always ask myself when watching a new pupil: can he or she consistently start the ball on the desired line? That isn't to say they have to aim perfectly. Aiming is very often a function of the stroke."
🎯 Weekend Golfer Reality Check
- ⭐ You're giving away 11+ strokes per round vs. tour pros on putting alone
- 💡 Most weekend golfers practice putting wrong (random rolling doesn't work)
- 🔧 The right drills can eliminate 3-putts in just a few practice sessions
- 📊 Putting improvement transfers to the course faster than any other skill
What Are the Best Putting Drills for Distance Control?
Distance control separates good putters from those who consistently three-putt. According to putting guru Dave Pelz, the goal isn't to make long putts, but to get them sufficiently close (3 feet and in) to the hole to massively cut down on three-putting.
During my regular foursome's weekly round, I noticed the player who rarely three-putts isn't the best at reading greens – he's the one who consistently leaves his first putt within that crucial three-foot circle.
The Ladder Drill (Distance Mastery)
This drill transformed my lag putting overnight. Place markers or tees in a straight line at 10, 15, 20 and 30 feet away from the hole. Putt from the 10-foot mark and work your way backwards. Start over if you don't get the ball within 1 foot of the hole.
Setup:
- Place tees at 10, 15, 20, and 30 feet from a hole
- Start at 10 feet and putt three balls
- Move back only after getting all three within 12 inches
- If you miss the target zone, start over at 10 feet
What makes this work: You develop feel for incremental distance changes while building pressure into practice.
The 40-50-60 Drill (Long Distance Control)
This drill from professional instructors helps you dial in distance control from longer putts. From the hole, pace out 40 feet and mark with a tee peg. Continue and place a tee at 50 feet, and finally at 60 feet.
Execution:
- Start at 50 feet with 3 balls
- Goal: Get all 3 balls within a 3-foot circle around the hole
- Only move to different distance after success
- Focus on tempo consistency, varying only backswing length
Playing last weekend, I used this tempo approach on a difficult 45-foot putt and left it 18 inches from the cup. My buddies thought I'd been taking secret lessons!
📊 Distance Control Statistics
- 🎯 Goal: Get 80% of lag putts within 3 feet (the "circle of trust")
- ⭐ Average amateur: Only 40% of 20+ foot putts finish within 6 feet
- 💡 Tour pros: 95%+ accuracy from inside 3 feet vs. amateur 70%
- 🔧 Better lag putting eliminates 3-4 strokes per round immediately
How Can Weekend Golfers Improve Short Putt Consistency?
Nothing destroys confidence like missing a three-footer for par. According to research by Mark Broadie, PGA Tour pros make 96% of 3-foot putts and 77% of 5-foot putts, while amateur success rates drop dramatically at these distances.
The Gate Drill (Accuracy Foundation)
The Gate Drill is a classic putting drill designed to improve accuracy and consistency. Set up two tees or alignment sticks just wider than the width of your putter head, creating a "gate" for the ball to pass through.
Setup Process:
- Place two tees 3 feet from the hole, just wider than your putter head
- Position tees so they create a gate the ball must pass through
- Practice 10 putts without hitting either tee
- Gradually narrow the gate as you improve
After struggling with pushed putts for months, this drill fixed my stroke path in two practice sessions. The immediate feedback of hitting a tee tells you exactly when your stroke goes offline.
The Clock Drill (All-Around Confidence)
This is probably THE most common drill PGA Tour players practice. Pick one hole, stand anywhere from three to five feet away, and work your way around the hole like a clock.
Execution:
- Place 8 tees around a hole at 3 feet (like clock positions)
- Start at "12 o'clock" and make the putt
- Move to "1:30" position only after success
- Complete the entire circle without missing
- Reset to beginning if you miss any putt
Why it works: You practice putts with different breaks while building pressure – just like on the course.
🔧 Short Putt Mastery Plan
- ⭐ Practice Gate Drill 3x per week for stroke path consistency
- 🎯 Complete Clock Drill once per week to build confidence
- 💡 Focus on tempo: Same pace for 3-footers as 6-footers
- 📊 Goal: Make 8 out of 10 putts from 3-5 feet before playing
What Putting Drills Do PGA Tour Players Actually Use?
Tour players don't practice aimlessly – they use specific drills that address putting fundamentals systematically. I started copying what I saw on TV practice green coverage, and my putting improved dramatically.
One-Handed Putting (Feel Development)
This is a drill that Phil Mickelson does prior to every round of golf. Roll putts using only your dominant hand. It's helpful for two reasons: it will teach you to properly release the clubhead and produce a smooth stroke versus a jab, and it will improve your hand-eye coordination.
Technique:
- Use only your trail hand (right hand for right-handed golfers)
- Rest your other hand on your hip
- Start with 6-foot putts
- Focus on smooth acceleration through impact
- Practice 10 putts before switching to two-handed
Last month, I was having tempo issues and rushing my stroke under pressure. Five minutes of one-handed putting before my round reminded me how little force actually needed, and I made four birdies that day.
String Line Drill (Path and Alignment)
This one requires some assembly, but erecting a string over your ball, putter and line accomplishes a few things: It helps you make sure your eyes are directly over the ball, it helps you monitor the arc of your stroke, and it helps you visualize the start line.
Setup:
- Tie string between two cups or stakes
- Position string directly over ball and target line
- Set up so string bisects the ball
- Practice stroke without touching string
- Ball should start rolling directly under string
Tempo Drill with Coin
If you're worried your stroke is too uneven, especially in transition, place a coin on the back of the putterhead. As renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon suggests, try throwing the coin away from the target.
This drill forces smooth tempo because any jerky movement will dislodge the coin. I practice this when I notice my putting getting quick under pressure.
How Do You Fix Three Putting with Practice Drills?
Three-putting is the weekend golfer's biggest score killer. According to statistics, 25+ handicap golfers average just under 39 putts per round, with several three-putts being a normal feature of their games.
The solution isn't practicing more 40-foot putts – it's eliminating three-putts through better lag putting and short-putt confidence.
The 50 Consecutive Two-Putts Drill
This drill forces you to control your speed in order to guarantee a 2-putt. Set up 30 feet from the hole. Putt five balls at a time, then walk to the cup and knock the balls in. Make 50 consecutive 2-putts. If you 3-putt, start over.
Why this works: You learn that lag putting success isn't about getting close – it's about never going long or short enough to create a difficult second putt.
The Leapfrog Drill (Distance Progression)
With this drill, the goal is to send each golf ball past the previous one and see how far you can get. This is one of the best putting drills for speed because you can see how much power it takes to overshoot a ball or come up short.
Execution:
- Place first ball 15 feet from starting point
- Second ball must finish past first ball but within 2 feet
- Third ball past second ball but within 2 feet
- Continue until you can't maintain control
- Work backward to starting position
After practicing this drill, I developed much better feel for incremental distance changes. Now when I'm faced with a 25-footer, I can visualize exactly how much energy is needed.
💡 Three-Putt Elimination Strategy
- 🎯 Goal #1: Get 90% of lag putts within 4 feet (makeable range)
- ⭐ Goal #2: Make 85% of putts from 4 feet and closer
- 🔧 Practice lag putting 2x more than short putts (biggest impact)
- 📊 Result: Three-putt frequency drops from 20% to under 5%
What Equipment Do You Need for Putting Practice Drills?
You don't need expensive training aids to practice effectively. Most of these drills use simple items you already have or can pick up for under $10.
Essential Practice Items:
- Golf tees (create gates, mark distances, alignment guides)
- Alignment sticks or clubs (stroke path training)
- String and cups (line visualization)
- Coins (tempo training, target practice)
- Ball markers (distance marking, targets)
The key is consistent practice, not expensive equipment. I've seen weekend golfers spend hundreds on putting aids while ignoring the simple drills that actually work.
My buddy invested in a $200 putting mirror and laser system but still three-putts regularly because he doesn't practice systematically. Meanwhile, I use tees and coins for 90% of my putting practice and rarely three-putt anymore.
How Often Should Weekend Golfers Practice Putting Drills?
Realistic Practice Schedule for Weekend Warriors:
Option 1: Pre-Round (15 minutes)
- 5 minutes: Gate drill (10 putts)
- 5 minutes: Distance control (3 different lengths)
- 5 minutes: Clock drill (complete circle)
Option 2: Weekly Practice (30 minutes)
- 10 minutes: Ladder drill progression
- 10 minutes: One-handed putting + tempo work
- 10 minutes: Three-putt elimination drills
Option 3: At-Home Practice (10 minutes daily)
- Carpet putting with alignment stick
- Gate drill with household items
- Distance control to furniture targets
The secret is consistency over duration. Fifteen minutes of focused drill work beats an hour of aimlessly rolling balls around the practice green.
⚡ Quick Practice Plan for Busy Golfers
- 🎯 Monday: 10 minutes at-home gate drill practice
- 💡 Wednesday: 10 minutes distance control on carpet
- 🔧 Friday: Pre-round 15-minute drill session
- ⭐ Weekend: Apply improved putting to impress your buddies!
Key Takeaways for Weekend Golfer Putting Success
After implementing these seven drills consistently, my putting transformed from a weakness into a strength that impresses my regular foursome. The beauty of putting improvement is how quickly it transfers to lower scores.
Most importantly: Start with just two drills – the Gate Drill for accuracy and the Ladder Drill for distance control. Master these before adding complexity.
The result? You'll eliminate those frustrating three-putts, start making more birdies, and finally have bragging rights on the greens. Nothing feels better than watching your buddies' faces when you consistently make the putts they expect you to miss.
Remember, putting is the great equalizer in golf. You don't need perfect swing mechanics or massive distance to be a great putter. You just need to practice smart with drills that address the fundamentals systematically.
Quick-Reference Drill Selection Guide
For Accuracy Problems: Gate Drill + Clock Drill
For Distance Control Issues: Ladder Drill + Leapfrog Drill
For Three-Putt Elimination: 50 Two-Putts Drill + Distance Progression
For Feel and Tempo: One-Handed Putting + Coin Drill
For Overall Improvement: Combine 2-3 drills per practice session
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Putting Practice Drills
How long does it take to see improvement from putting drills?
Most weekend golfers notice improvement within 2-3 practice sessions. The gate drill typically improves accuracy within the first week, while distance control drills may take 2-3 weeks of consistent practice to show significant improvement on the course.
Can you practice putting drills on carpet at home?
Absolutely! Home practice is highly effective for stroke mechanics. Use alignment sticks for the gate drill, practice distance control to furniture targets, and work on tempo with the coin drill. Carpet practice actually helps because it forces you to make solid contact.
Which putting drill should beginners start with?
Start with the Gate Drill for stroke path consistency. It provides immediate feedback and helps establish proper fundamentals. Once you can consistently putt through gates without hitting tees, add the basic distance control work.
How do you know if your putting drills are working?
Track your three-putt frequency and putts per round. The average amateur takes 40+ putts per round, so improvement to 35-37 putts represents significant progress. Also monitor your success rate from 3-6 feet.
Should you practice putting drills before every round?
Yes, 10-15 minutes of pre-round drill work is more valuable than randomly hitting balls. Focus on one accuracy drill (gate drill) and one speed drill (various distances) to prep for course conditions.
What's the biggest mistake weekend golfers make with putting practice?
Practicing without purpose. Most golfers randomly roll balls around the practice green instead of working on specific skills with structured drills. This builds bad habits rather than improving performance.
Related Putting Resources for Weekend Golfers
Improve Your Short Game: Short Game Tips That Actually Work for Weekend Warriors
Course Management: How to Play Smarter Golf Without Changing Your Swing
Mental Game: Golf Mental Game Secrets for Weekend Players
Equipment Guidance: Best Golf Putters for Amateur Players
Home Practice: Golf Training Aids for Home Practice That Actually Work
Breaking 90: How to Break 90 in Golf Without Perfect Technique
Distance Control: Lag Putting Secrets That Eliminate Three-Putts
Putting Fundamentals: Putting Fundamentals Every Weekend Golfer Must Know
Practice Routines: Golf Practice Routine for Time-Pressed Weekend Warriors
Confidence Building: Golf Confidence Tips That Transform Weekend Rounds
Pressure Putting: How to Handle Pressure During Club Tournaments
Reading Greens: How to Read a Golf Green Like the Pros
