Mastering Distance Control: 5 Essential Drills for Better Putting
Controlling distance on the greens is a fundamental skill that can greatly enhance your scoring in professional golf. To get your first putt close enough to tap in, it’s crucial to harness effective distance control techniques. The foundation of good putting lies in minimizing movement and maintaining a steady stance while focusing on stroke length. Below, we’ll explore five impactful drills designed to sharpen your distance control, as recommended by GOLF Top 100 Teacher Kellie Stenzel.
1. Three-Foot Increment Drill
Objective: Improve speed control.
Setup: Place golf balls at three-foot increments from the hole.
Execution: Begin with the shortest distance and gradually move back. Focus solely on rolling the ball the correct distance to finish close to the cup, ignoring break or aim.
- Tip: If your ball doesn’t reach the desired distance, remain at that spot until you successfully roll the ball the proper distance before proceeding back.
This drill will help you refine your ability to adjust the length of your backstroke accurately.
2. Putt to 10, 20, 30, and 40 Feet
Objective: Calibration of stroke size with varying putt lengths.
Setup: Use alignment sticks to mark targets at 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet on a flat section of the green.
Execution: Putt toward each target, concentrating on matching your stroke size with the respective distance.
- Tip: Adjust your backstroke length for uphill or downhill putts, adding length for uphill and subtracting for downhill.
By honing in on your stroke size, you will experience immediate benefits in your distance control during actual play.
3. Back-and-Forth Drill
Objective: Adapt to changing conditions.
Setup: Select two holes on the practice green that present contrasting conditions (e.g., uphill/downhill or sidehill).
- Execution: Putt back and forth between the two holes, aiming for two-putt or better over a set number of repetitions (start with five). If you three-putt, reset your count to zero.
This drill not only works on distance but also helps you adapt to the variable conditions that can affect your putting.
4. Eyes-Closed Putting
Objective: Develop feel and instinct for distance.
Setup: Select a target to putt toward.
- Execution: Close your eyes and putt, then predict whether the ball will finish short or long of the target. After hitting, open your eyes to assess the outcome.
This drill enhances your speed awareness and cultivates instinctive distance control over time.
5. Draw-Back Game
Objective: Transform practicing into a competitive experience.
Setup: Partner up for a match-play putting game around the green.
- Execution: Aim to finish your first putt within three feet of the hole. If unsuccessful, pull the ball back one putter-length and attempt again.
This game emphasizes effective speed control and alleviates pressure on your second putt, making practice more engaging.
Conclusion
Whether you’re working through these drills solo or engaging in some friendly competition, spending time on the practice green will lead to undeniable improvements in your game. Mastering distance control is a skill that directly correlates to lower scores and greater enjoyment of the sport.
Take the time to integrate these drills into your routine, and watch your putting game flourish. Your future rounds are bound to be more rewarding as you perfect your distance control on the greens.
By utilizing these tips from an experienced golf instructor, you can elevate your game and achieve better results on the course.
