Putting · Drill
Use Ball Sleeves as a Putter Gate
Part of our putting programs for start line. Build a program with it
The putter's path just before the ball matters most. A simple gate shows you what's happening there. Lay two sleeves of balls on the green, just wider than your putter head. Put them right behind the ball, along your line. Make strokes without touching either one. It's fine for the putter to arc a little inside after impact. If you keep hitting the inside sleeve going back, your putter is going inside too soon.
The drill
- Lay two ball sleeves a bit wider than your putter.
- Set them just behind the ball.
- Stroke without touching them.
- Let the putter arc slightly after impact.
- Make 20 strokes a session.
Why it works
The putter's path in the last few inches before impact has the most influence on where the ball starts. A gate just behind the ball gives you a physical limit for that stretch, so you see path errors instead of guessing at them. The putter can arc slightly inside after impact, so only the part before the ball needs to stay clear of the sleeves.
Common mistakes
- Setting the sleeves so tight that the putter head barely fits.Leave a small, even gap on each side of the putter head so the drill checks your path and not your nerves.
- Pulling the putter inside too soon on the backswing and hitting the inside sleeve.Take the putter back so the head stays outside the inside sleeve, then let it swing naturally on the way through.
- Forcing the putter to travel straight through the gate after impact.Let the putter arc slightly inside after the ball is gone, and keep the strokes smooth and relaxed.
How you'll know it's working
- You make strokes without touching either sleeve.
- The ball starts on your chosen line more often.
- Contact feels centered on the putter face, with no heel or toe strikes.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Set the sleeves a little wider than your putter head and roll short putts of about three feet.
Harder: Narrow the gap slightly and move back to longer putts while still keeping clear of both sleeves.
Common questions
Where do I place the sleeves for a putting gate drill?
Place them on either side of your line, just behind the ball, with a gap slightly wider than your putter head. The putter should pass between them without touching.
Is it bad if my putter arcs inside after impact?
No. A slight inside arc after impact is fine. What matters most is the path just before the ball, so keep the putter clear of the sleeves there.
