IMPROVE YOUR PERFORMANCE FROM RANGE
A careless three-putt is all it takes to turn an acceptable bogey into a card-scarring double… and this tends to be the result of not getting the first putt close enough. Shot Scope tell us a 14-handicapper makes 77% of four-footers but just 38% of six-footers. The aim should be to get the first putt inside 4ft, particularly for any double digit handicapper. Clearly, there are two elements to getting your first putt close enough to avoid a three-putt: direction and distance.
DIRECTION: Widen the gates
For this drill you are going to create three sets of ‘gates’ with six balls. The first set should be about 5-6ft ahead of the ball, and just 6-8in apart; the second set should be around halfway between the ball and the hole up your line, and perhaps 18in apart. The third set should flank the hole, 2ft either side of it. On breaking putts, set these gates to frame your curving line.
Find the gaps
From here, strike a group of balls with the obvious goal of feeding each through all three sets of gates. You’ll get:
Great feedback on your ability to hit your starting line.
A target zone that is both achievable but exacting enough to get the putt within two-putt range.
A greater awareness of how to factor in green contours to your starting line.
DISTANCE: Work on strike quality
Inconsistent striking ruins distance judgement because it creates different amounts of energy transfer, leaving you unsure whether to strike the next putt harder or softer. So to work on distance control, work on developing a consistently solid strike. Here is a drill that helps...
Chalk it up
To keep track of the quality of your striking on long putts, all you need is a piece of chalk. Rub the chalk against the ball on the point where you intend to strike it – perhaps on one of the linear decals.
Face check
Now strike a series of putts from range. After each putt, check the mark on the putter face, and rechalk the ball. In time you will build up an accurate picture of your striking pattern, and develop a new focus for contacting the ball off the sweetspot.