Hole those putts with confidence

Simulate on-course pressure by adding consequence everytime you go out to practice

AS we all know, the five-foot putt you face to win the match on the last hole feels very different to the five-footer you brushed in on the practice green four hours earlier.

Pressure is what makes putting tough and it is important you put yourself under some stress when you practice holing out.

Unfortunately most amateurs do the opposite, explains Hugh Royer, founder of the South Carolina Golf Centre at Shaftesbury Glen in Myrtle Beach, US. Holing a series of three-foot putts in a row from the same spot might look good, but there is no consequence for failing, and hence no pressure.

Get out of your comfort zone and try this drill. If it makes your practice feel tougher, then it is doing the job.

1 Set up five putts

Gather five balls and spread them evenly around the hole as shown. Strike the first putt. If you hole it, move on to the second. If you hole that, move on to the third… and so on until you’ve holed all five putts.

Feel the pressure

The drill works by adding pressure as each putt is holed. Manage to drain the third one and there is real consequence to the fourth, hole that and you’ll feel it on the final putt. If you ever get to the stage where this drill feels comfortable, congratulations! Now try six putts from six feet.

2 Start with putter ahead

This drill gives you every type of break [up-and-down and side-to-side] as you move round the circle. Groove your perception of line by placing the putter in front of the ball, facing down your line, on each putt.

3 Identify your weakness

Now move the putter behind the ball and hit the putt, taking care to keep your head still. Over time, you will tend to find a particular break finds you out. Monitor your results to find out if you regularly over or under-borrow.