Stop 3-Putting Forever: 7 Drills Weekend Golfers Actually Use

Are you tired of watching perfect approach shots turn into disappointing bogeys because you can't make a simple 6-footer?

After 25 years of weekend golf, I've discovered that putting frustration is the #1 killer of good rounds. You know the feeling - standing over a makeable putt, heart racing, knowing your buddies are watching. Then watching the ball slide past the hole...again.

The good news? You don't need expensive lessons or perfect technique. You just need the right drills that actually work for golfers like us who play once or twice a week.

According to PGA Tour statistics, professionals make 99.4% of putts from 3 feet and 40% from 10 feet. While we'll never reach those levels, the same drills that tour pros use can dramatically improve your putting - and I'm going to show you exactly how.

What Makes Putting Drills So Effective for Weekend Golfers?

Putting might look simple, but as renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon (specialist putting coach to Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Justin Rose, 70+ PGA and European Tour wins, 4 Major Championships) explains: "While most handicap golfers might not have the physical attributes to drive the ball 320 yards, anyone can learn to putt like a tour pro, regardless of age, body shape or ability."

Last month, I committed to practicing just 15 minutes of putting drills three times per week. The results shocked me - my average putts per round dropped from 34 to 29, and I finally broke 85 for the first time in years.

The secret isn't spending hours on the practice green. It's using specific drills that target the three key areas where weekend golfers lose strokes:

1. Short putt accuracy (3-6 feet)
2. Distance control on longer putts (15+ feet)
3. Reading break and start line

According to Golf Digest research, 80% of amateur golfers lose more strokes from poor course management than swing mechanics, and putting accounts for roughly 43% of all strokes regardless of skill level.

The Gate Drill: Your Foundation for Straight Putts

This is the drill that changed everything for my putting. I learned it from watching PGA Tour players warm up, and it's the most effective way to develop a consistent stroke path.

Setup:

• Place two tees just wider than your putter head, about 2 feet in front of your ball
• Position them perpendicular to your target line
• Start with 4-foot putts on level ground

Execution:

• Make smooth strokes, rolling the ball through the gate without touching the tees
• Focus on keeping your putter face square throughout the stroke
• Practice until you can make 10 consecutive putts through the gate

My playing partner discovered this drill after struggling with pushes and pulls for months. Within two practice sessions, his short putt confidence transformed completely.

As PGA teaching professional Brad Faxon notes: "The gate drill teaches you to start every putt on your intended line, which is 80% of successful putting."

The beauty of this drill is you can practice it anywhere - even on your living room carpet using coins instead of tees.

The Clock Drill: Master Short Putts Under Pressure

There's nothing worse than missing a 3-footer for par while your buddies watch. The clock drill eliminates this nightmare by building automatic confidence from close range.

This drill comes straight from Phil Mickelson's practice routine, and according to Golf Magazine, it's performed by nearly every tour professional.

Setup:

• Place 12 balls around a hole like numbers on a clock face
• Start with all balls 3 feet from the hole
• Use actual tees as markers for consistent distance

Execution:

• Start at "12 o'clock" and work your way around
• You must make ALL 12 putts in succession
• If you miss ANY putt, start over completely
• Once you complete 3 feet, move back to 4 feet

The pressure element is crucial. When I first tried this drill, I'd get to ball #10 or #11 and feel my hands getting sweaty. That's exactly the pressure you feel on the course, which is why this drill transfers so well to real rounds.

According to PGA Tour statistics, professionals make 96% of 3-foot putts, but weekend golfers average only 84% from the same distance. This drill bridges that gap.

TrackMan data shows that improving your make percentage from 3-6 feet by just 15% can save you 3-4 strokes per round.

Master the fundamentals first, then challenge yourself with this pressure drill.

Distance Control: The Ladder Drill

My biggest putting weakness used to be lag putting. I'd hit a great approach shot to 25 feet, then leave myself 8 feet coming back. The ladder drill fixed this problem in just two weeks.

Setup:

• Place tees at 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 feet from the hole
• Start with the closest distance

Execution:

• Putt from 10 feet, trying to get within 2 feet of the hole
• Move to 15 feet only after succeeding at 10 feet
• If you miss your target zone, start over from the beginning
• Work up to the 30-foot mark

The key insight came from putting coach David Orr, who works with several tour players: "Distance control is about stroke length consistency, not hitting harder. Longer putts need longer strokes with the same tempo."

This drill taught me to focus on getting my first putt close rather than trying to make everything. According to Golf Digest analysis, eliminating three-putts saves the average weekend golfer 4-6 strokes per round.

For more advanced distance work, check out specialized lag putting techniques.

The Coin Drill: Perfect Your Stroke Tempo

This drill comes directly from renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon's tour player arsenal. It's designed to develop the smooth tempo that separates good putters from great ones.

Setup:

• Place a coin on the back of your putter head
• Start with short, straight putts
• Focus on smooth acceleration through impact

Execution:

• Make putting strokes without letting the coin fall off
• The coin should travel with your putter throughout the entire stroke
• If it falls off, your tempo is too quick or jerky
• Practice until you can make 20 putts with the coin staying put

As Phil Kenyon suggests: "Try throwing the coin away from the target during the stroke. This promotes smooth acceleration and prevents deceleration at impact."

This drill revolutionized my putting because it forced me to slow down. I used to get anxious over putts and rush my stroke. The coin drill taught me that smooth tempo is more important than perfect mechanics.

According to biomechanical research from the Golf Science Institute, the ideal putting tempo ratio is 2:1 - your downstroke should be twice as fast as your backstroke. The coin drill naturally develops this rhythm.

One-Handed Putting: Build Natural Feel

This might sound crazy, but putting with one hand dramatically improves your feel and touch. Tiger Woods uses this drill religiously, and it's one of his favorites for developing a natural release.

Setup:

• Use only your trail hand (right hand for right-handed golfers)
• Start with 6-foot putts
• Focus on feeling the putter head throughout the stroke

Execution:

• Make smooth strokes using only your trail hand
• Feel how the putter naturally releases through impact
• Notice how your wrist and forearm work together
• Practice both straight putts and putts with break

The first time I tried this drill, I was amazed at how much better I could feel the putter head. It taught me that good putting is more about feel than perfect mechanics.

Golf biomechanics expert Dr. Rob Neal explains: "One-handed putting develops proprioception - your body's awareness of the club position. This natural feel is crucial for consistent distance control."

For comprehensive stroke development, explore proven stroke fundamentals that complement this feel-based approach.

The String Line Drill: Master Your Setup

Many weekend golfers have setup issues that sabotage their putting before they even start their stroke. The string line drill fixes alignment problems instantly.

Setup:

• String a line from your ball to the hole
• The string should bisect your ball and run directly over the center of the hole
• Set up with your eyes directly over the ball

Execution:

• Check that the string cuts your ball exactly in half
• Ensure your putter face is perpendicular to the string
• Make strokes while keeping the ball rolling along the string line
• Practice from various distances using the same setup

This drill exposed a huge flaw in my setup. I thought my eyes were over the ball, but the string showed I was actually inside the line by 2-3 inches. This caused me to aim right and compensate by pulling putts left.

PGA Tour analysis shows that setup accounts for 70% of putting accuracy. Get your setup right, and the stroke becomes much simpler.

As putting specialist Mike Shannon notes: "Most amateurs think they need to work on their stroke, but usually they just need better alignment at address."

Home Practice: The Quarter Target Drill

You don't need a putting green to improve your putting. This home drill, using just a quarter and a golf ball, builds precision that transfers directly to the course.

Setup:

• Place a quarter on your carpet about 8 feet away
• Use your living room or hallway
• Mark your starting position with tape

Execution:

• Try to roll your ball so it stops touching the quarter
• If you can hit a quarter, you can certainly find the hole
• Practice from different distances and angles
• Work on both straight rolls and subtle breaks

During the winter months when I couldn't get to the course, this drill kept my putting sharp. The precision required to hit a quarter forces you to develop incredible accuracy.

According to sports psychology research, practicing precision targets smaller than your actual target (the hole) builds confidence and improves performance under pressure.

For more home practice ideas, check out effective practice routines you can do indoors.

Creating Your Practice Routine: The Weekly Schedule

The key to improving your putting isn't practicing more hours - it's practicing consistently with the right drills. Here's the exact routine I follow:

Monday (15 minutes):

• 5 minutes gate drill (4-6 feet)
• 5 minutes clock drill (3 feet)
• 5 minutes distance control (15-25 feet)

Wednesday (15 minutes):

• 5 minutes coin drill (tempo work)
• 5 minutes one-handed putting
• 5 minutes string line drill (setup)

Friday (15 minutes):

• 10 minutes ladder drill (distance control)
• 5 minutes quarter target drill at home

According to sports science research, skill retention improves 40% with consistent short practice sessions versus longer, infrequent sessions.

The beauty of this routine is you can do most of it at home. The only drill requiring a practice green is the ladder drill, and many golfers substitute this with quality home putting mats.

How These Drills Translate to Lower Scores

After implementing these drills consistently, here's what changed in my game:

Before the drills:

• 3-6 foot putts: 70% make rate
• Average putts per round: 34
• Three-putts per round: 4-5

After 6 weeks of drill practice:

• 3-6 foot putts: 85% make rate
• Average putts per round: 29
• Three-putts per round: 1-2

The improvement came from three areas:

1. Confidence: Knowing I could make short putts eliminated anxiety
2. Distance control: Better lag putting meant easier second putts
3. Setup consistency: String line drill fixed alignment issues I didn't know I had

My buddy Mike saw similar results. He dropped his handicap from 18 to 15 in one season just by eliminating three-putts through better distance control.

As putting statistics show, PGA Tour pros average 0.96% three-putt rate compared to 8-12% for weekend golfers. These drills won't make you tour-level, but they'll get you much closer.

For mental game improvement alongside these drills, explore putting psychology techniques used by professionals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Through my own struggles and watching other weekend golfers, here are the biggest mistakes that sabotage putting improvement:

Practicing without purpose: Just rolling balls toward holes won't help. Each drill session needs specific goals and measurements.

Ignoring short putts: Many golfers want to practice 20-footers but can't make 4-footers consistently. Master short putts first.

Inconsistent practice: Practicing 2 hours once per week is less effective than 15 minutes three times per week.

Poor setup habits: All the drill work in the world won't help if your alignment is off. Use the string line drill to check this regularly.

Rushing the process: Putting improvement takes time. Phil Kenyon notes that his tour players typically see significant improvement after 4-6 weeks of consistent drill work.

According to golf performance research from TrackMan, the most common mistake is focusing on stroke mechanics while ignoring setup fundamentals and distance control.

Essential Equipment for Drill Practice

You don't need expensive gadgets to practice these drills effectively. Here's what actually works:

Basic Setup:

• Golf tees (for gates and markers)
• Coins (for tempo and target practice)
• String or chalk (for alignment)
• Regular golf balls

Optional upgrades:

• Putting mirror for setup
• Quality putting mat for home
• Alignment sticks (for train track drills)

The most important investment isn't equipment - it's time. Consistency beats expensive tools every time.

Many of the tour players Phil Kenyon coaches use simple setups for their most effective drills. As he explains: "The best drills are often the simplest ones that provide immediate feedback."

For equipment recommendations that won't break the bank, check out affordable training aids that actually work.

Advanced Progression: Taking Your Putting to the Next Level

Once you've mastered the basic drills and seen improvement in your scores, here are advanced progressions to keep getting better:

Pressure Putting Challenges:

• Make 50 three-footers in a row (restart if you miss)
• Complete the clock drill from 4 feet, then 5 feet
• Practice with consequences (push-ups for misses)

Course Simulation:

• Practice on different green speeds when possible
• Work on breaking putts using the string line drill
• Practice uphill and downhill putts for distance control

Mental Game Integration:

• Add pre-shot routines to all drill work
• Practice positive self-talk between attempts
• Visualize successful putts before execution

According to sports psychology research, mental skills training can improve putting performance by 15-25% beyond pure technique work.

Professional coach insights from mental putting strategies show that visualization and routine work are just as important as physical drills.

Putting It All Together: Your Success Blueprint

Here's the bottom line: These seven putting drills work because they target the specific areas where weekend golfers lose strokes. You don't need perfect technique or expensive equipment - just consistency and the right practice methods.

Your 30-day improvement plan:

Week 1-2: Master the gate drill and clock drill basics Week 3-4: Add distance control and tempo work
Week 5-6: Incorporate advanced drills and home practice Week 7+: Maintain with regular practice routine

The goal isn't to become a tour-level putter. It's to eliminate the putting mistakes that turn good rounds into frustrating ones.

As Phil Kenyon reminds us: "Putting is the great equalizer in golf. Anyone can learn to putt well enough to significantly lower their scores."

Most importantly, putting confidence is contagious. When you know you can make those 4-footers, you'll play more aggressively on approach shots. When you trust your lag putting, you'll attack more pins. Better putting improves your entire game.

So grab some tees, find a practice green (or your living room), and start with the gate drill. Your buddies won't know what hit them when you start draining putts like a pro.

Remember: You're just one round away from showing them what you're really capable of.

Key Takeaways for Weekend Warriors

Before you head to the practice green, remember these essential points that separate successful putters from the rest:

Start with fundamentals: The gate drill and setup work before attempting advanced techniques. Perfect practice makes perfect - sloppy practice makes permanent bad habits.

Consistency beats intensity: Fifteen minutes three times per week trumps a two-hour marathon session once per week. Your muscle memory develops through repetition, not exhaustion.

Measure your progress: Track your three-putt frequency and short putt make percentage. What gets measured gets improved.

Practice with purpose: Every drill session should have specific goals. Random ball-rolling won't create the neural pathways needed for improvement.

Trust the process: Phil Kenyon's tour players typically see breakthrough results after 4-6 weeks of consistent drill work. Stick with it even when progress seems slow.

For additional support in your putting journey, explore professional instruction options that complement these self-practice methods.

FAQ: Your Putting Drill Questions Answered

How long should I practice these putting drills each session?

Based on sports science research and my personal experience, 15-20 minutes per session is optimal. This allows focused practice without mental fatigue. Professional putting coach Phil Kenyon recommends three 15-minute sessions per week over one long session for better skill retention and muscle memory development.

Can I practice putting drills at home without a putting mat?

Absolutely! The quarter target drill works perfectly on carpet or any flat surface. You can also practice the gate drill using coins instead of tees, and the one-handed drill develops feel regardless of surface. While a quality putting mat helps, it's not required for improving your stroke mechanics and building confidence.

Which putting drill should I start with as a beginner?

Start with the gate drill from 4 feet on straight putts. This builds the foundation of stroke path control and accuracy that every other skill depends on. Once you can consistently roll balls through the gate, progress to the clock drill for short putt confidence. Master these two basics before adding distance control work.

How often do PGA Tour players practice these specific drills?

According to Golf Magazine analysis, virtually every tour professional uses some version of the gate drill and clock drill in their daily warm-up routine. Phil Kenyon notes that his tour clients typically spend 20-30 minutes on drill-based practice before each round, with the gate drill being the most common setup routine.

What's the fastest way to eliminate three-putts from my rounds?

Focus intensively on the ladder drill for distance control. According to PGA Tour statistics, three-putts primarily occur from poor lag putting, not missed short putts. Spend 70% of your practice time on distance control from 15+ feet and 30% on making short putts. This ratio mirrors how these situations appear in actual rounds.

Should I use the same putting drills if I struggle with breaking putts?

Yes, but add the string line drill to work on reading break and start line. Most break-reading issues stem from poor setup and alignment rather than green-reading skills. The string line drill teaches you to start putts on your intended line, which is crucial for breaking putts. Practice the basic drills on straight putts first, then progress to breaking putts using the same fundamentals.

How do I know if my putting practice is actually working?

Track three key metrics: your make percentage from 3-6 feet, your average putts per round, and your three-putt frequency. Use a simple scorecard tracking system or golf app. Improvement typically shows up as fewer three-putts first, then improved short putt confidence. Most golfers see measurable improvement within 3-4 weeks of consistent drill practice.

Related Putting Resources for Weekend Golfers

Take your putting improvement to the next level with these comprehensive resources designed specifically for weekend warriors:

Complete Putting Guide

Master every aspect of putting from setup to advanced green reading techniques. This comprehensive resource covers fundamentals, equipment selection, and mental game strategies that complement your drill practice.

Best Putting Training Aids

Discover which putting aids actually help weekend golfers improve and which ones are marketing gimmicks. Get honest reviews of mirrors, alignment tools, and practice devices that enhance your drill work.

Advanced Putting Tips

Learn advanced techniques for reading greens, managing different green speeds, and handling pressure situations. These tips build on the foundation created by consistent drill practice.

Eliminate Three-Putts Forever

Specialized strategies and drills focused specifically on distance control and lag putting. Perfect for golfers who've mastered short putts but struggle with longer distance control.

Complete Putting Improvement System

A structured approach to putting improvement that combines drill work with mental game strategies, equipment optimization, and course management techniques.

Stuck in a Golf Rut? Weekend Golfers to the Rescue!

Ever feel like the perfect swing is a cruel joke? Weekend Golfers feel your pain. We built our games from scratch, no natural talent, no endless lessons. We used quick fixes, dirty little secrets, and sheer grit to conquer the course.

But even Weekend Golfers have questions. That nagging slice? We've fought it. That impossible shot? We've (mostly) mastered it.

Here's where you come in.

What's the ONE question holding you back? Share your struggle in our 2-minute survey. We'll use YOUR questions to craft solutions for real golfers, not just the TV pros.

Break free from your golfing frustrations! Take the survey now!

This Form cannot be submitted until the missing fields (labelled below in red) have been filled in
What’s Your # 1 Question About Golf?
Please note that all fields followed by an asterisk must be filled in.
First Name*
E-Mail Address*
1. What’s your single most important question about golf?
2. Why would it make a difference in your life to get a good answer for this problem or find a solution for your need? (Details, please.)
3. How difficult has it been for you to find a good answer for the above to date?
Not at all difficult Somewhat difficult Very difficult
GDPR*	I am at least 16 years of age. I have read and accept the privacy policy. I understand that you will use my information only to create new content that is useful to myself and my fellow golfers in order to make the site more helpful.
Please complete the challenge that you see below.

About :: Privacy Policy :: Contact

GOLFEASER.COM - Copyright © - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED