Putting · Drill
Keep the Same Rhythm on Every Putt
Part of our putting programs for three-putts, missing short putts, start line. Build a program with it
When your rhythm stays steady, your contact and face angle tend to stay steady too. So the time it takes from starting your stroke to hitting the ball should be the same on every putt. Long or short. Here's a simple trick. Pick a two-syllable word. Say it like a tick-tock. Stroke short putts to that beat. Then keep the same beat on long ones. Make the stroke longer. Not faster.
The drill
- Pick a two-syllable word.
- Say it in a steady beat.
- Stroke to that beat on short putts.
- Keep the same beat on long putts.
- Change length, not timing.
Why it works
A putting stroke is a small pendulum. When the time from start to impact stays the same, the club arrives at the ball in the same way each time, so contact and face angle stay steady. Longer putts need more speed at impact, and you get that from a longer stroke at the same tempo, not from a quicker swing. A fixed beat also removes the urge to hit or slow down as the distance changes.
Common mistakes
- You speed up the beat on long putts to get the ball there.Keep the same beat and lengthen the backstroke and follow-through instead.
- You say the word at one pace but stroke to a different pace.Say the first syllable at the start of the backstroke and the second at impact.
- You slow down or decelerate through the ball on short putts.Let the stroke finish a little longer than the backstroke so the beat carries through impact.
How you'll know it's working
- The ball starts on your chosen line more often, because the face is square at impact more often.
- Contact sounds and feels the same on short and long putts, with no hit or jab.
- Your long putts finish at similar distances past the hole, so fewer leave a tricky second putt.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Practice on short putts of a few feet first, saying the word out loud until the beat feels natural.
Harder: Move between short, medium and long putts at random without stopping, keeping the same beat on every one.
Common questions
What is a good tempo for putting?
The best tempo is one you can repeat on every putt. Pick a steady two-beat rhythm that feels smooth and use it for all distances.
How do you hit longer putts without changing your tempo?
Make the backstroke and follow-through longer while keeping the same beat. The longer stroke gives the club more speed at impact without you hurrying.
