Mastering the Green: Tiger Woods’ Iconic Putting Drill Explained

Throughout his illustrious career, Tiger Woods has captivated golf enthusiasts with unforgettable moments on the putting green, each punctuated by a clutch putt. Known for his smooth and confident stroke, Woods transformed seemingly impossible putts into reality—this was not merely due to natural talent, but rather the culmination of countless hours of deliberate practice and preparation.

The "Quiet Work" Behind Tiger Woods’ Success

The incredible moments Tiger Woods has delivered on the course stem from what he refers to as his "quiet work." Among the countless drills he has employed, one has stood the test of time: a versatile putting drill known by various names, including the gate drill, two-tee drill, and one-handed drill. This simple yet effective exercise is an essential part of his training regimen.

How to Execute Tiger’s Favorite Putting Drill

1. Setup:

   • Select a flat surface approximately four feet from the hole.
   • Position yourself for a putt and place one tee just in front of the toe of your putter and another directly behind the heel, forming a "gate".

2. Objective:

   • Your goal is to guide the putter through the gate without hitting either tee.

3. Difficulty Adjustment:

   • The size of the gate can be modified based on your skill level. Beginners might start with a wider gap and gradually decrease it as they improve.

4. One-Handed Start:

   • Begin the drill using only your right hand on the grip. The objective here is to smoothly glide the putter through the tees, achieving square impact to ensure the putts start on the intended line.

5. Feedback Mechanism:

   • If your putter misaligns, you’ll strike one or both tees, providing immediate feedback about your stroke.

6. Two-Handed Transition:

   • After several successful one-handed strokes, reintroduce your top hand while maintaining focus on proper mechanics. Alternate between single-handed and full grip, emphasizing control and consistency.
7. Practice Makes Perfect:
   • This drill not only helps in consistently finding the sweet spot on the putter face but also emphasizes the importance of practice. The wear mark on Woods’ famous Scotty Cameron putter serves as a testament to the thousands of repetitions he has executed.

Equipment for Improving Your Putting Game

Consider investing in specialized training tools to enhance your practice. One option includes Perfect Putting Gates, designed to refine your putting skill with three different sizes to create multiple drills for improvement:

• Small Gate (60mm): Gap of less than 1.5 golf balls.
• Medium Gate (70mm): Gap of 1.75 golf balls.
• Large Gate (80mm): Gap of 2 golf balls.

These gates feature detachable legs for easy transport, allowing you to bring them along to the course.

Price: $29.99 from Fairway Jockey

Conclusion

Tiger Woods’ effectiveness on the greens can be attributed to dedicated practice and the application of key drills, like the one outlined above. By incorporating such techniques into your training, you can elevate your own game and unlock the potential for creating your own iconic moments.

This article was crafted to provide a comprehensive understanding of Tiger Woods’ invaluable putting drill, enabling golfers of all skill levels to improve their game through actionable insights and effective practice methods.