Putting · Drill
The 20-Putt Pressure Test
Part of our putting programs for reading greens, putting yips. Build a program with it
Practice that has consequences gets you ready for real nerves. Around a hole, set tees at 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 feet, with different breaks. Do the same around four holes. That's 20 putts. Use your full routine on every one. Set a goal, such as 15 out of 20. If you fall short, you start the whole thing over. It's tough. That's why it works.
The drill
- Set five putts from 4 to 8 feet around a hole.
- Do it at four holes for 20 putts.
- Use your full routine each time.
- Aim for 15 or more.
- Fall short and start again.
Why it works
Putting under pressure changes your tempo, your routine and your decisions. A drill with a real penalty, restarting the whole test, creates a small version of that pressure. Using your full routine on every putt trains the same process you need on the course, so it holds up when you are nervous. Varying the distance and the break stops you from grooving one stroke on one line.
Common mistakes
- You skip or rush your routine on putts that look easy.Treat every putt the same and run your full routine each time, from reading the line to the last look at the hole.
- You set all the tees on flat, similar lines.Place tees around each hole so you face uphill, downhill, left-to-right and right-to-left breaks.
- You count a putt that you rushed or retake a miss.Hit one ball per tee, score it honestly, and restart if you fall short of your goal.
How you'll know it's working
- You hold your tempo and routine on the last five putts as well as you did on the first five.
- Your misses start on your intended line and stay near the hole, rather than missing wide on the same side.
- Your score reaches 15 or more in fewer restarts over several sessions.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Lower the goal to 12 out of 20, or use only 4 to 6 feet and keep the same routine.
Harder: Raise the goal to 17 out of 20, or add a rule that you must restart after any miss inside 5 feet.
Common questions
How many putts should I make in a pressure test?
Pick a goal you can reach but not easily, such as 15 out of 20. If you pass it on the first try, raise the goal.
Why do I putt worse under pressure?
Nerves tend to speed up your tempo and shorten your routine, which makes the stroke less consistent. Practice with a consequence lets you rehearse keeping your routine steady in those conditions.
