Putting · Drill
Find Where You Freeze Over Short Putts
Part of our putting programs for missing short putts, reading greens, putting yips. Build a program with it
Golf isn't a frozen game. The best putters keep a little motion going in their routine. If you lock up over short putts, try this. Set six balls around a hole on a gentle slope, about two feet away. Putt them all. Then do it again, and pay attention to your routine. Where do you stop and freeze? Make a note of each spot. Then practice flowing through them, one at a time.
The drill
- Place six balls two feet from the hole.
- Space them all the way around.
- Putt and notice where you freeze.
- Practice moving through each freeze point.
- Retest often.
Why it works
Freezing usually shows up as a pause at address, a held breath, or a stiff grip before the stroke starts. Stillness lets tension build, and a tight stroke is harder to start and harder to keep smooth. Keeping a small, steady motion through your routine, such as a slow breath, a light waggle or a soft grip, lets the stroke begin from movement instead of from a stop.
Common mistakes
- You rush through the routine to avoid the freeze instead of finding it.Slow down on the first round and note exactly where you stop, such as the last look at the hole or the moment after you set your feet.
- You note the freeze points but never practice changing them.Pick one spot at a time and rehearse a small continuous motion through it, like a gentle waggle or an exhale, before moving to the next.
- You only place the balls on one side of the hole.Space the six balls all the way around the hole so each putt has a different line and slope and shows you different freeze points.
How you'll know it's working
- You can name each spot where you pause, and the list gets shorter over several sessions.
- Your stroke starts smoothly, with no jab or hesitation at the start of the backswing.
- The ball starts on your chosen line and rolls at a steady pace, with fewer putts left short or pushed.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Move the balls closer to the hole, or use a flat spot, so you can focus on your routine and not on whether the putt drops.
Harder: Keep score, such as making all six in a row, or add a rule that you must restart the routine if you notice any pause.
Common questions
Why do I freeze over short putts?
Short putts feel like you should make them, so tension rises and you hold still while you think about the result. Finding the exact point where you stop helps you replace that pause with a steady, small movement.
How often should I do this putting drill?
Do it a few times a week for about 10 minutes, and retest at the start of practice. Stop if anything hurts.
