Putting · Drill
Play a Putting Ladder Game
Part of our putting programs. Build a program with it
Putting practice is more fun as a game. Use your putter to measure about three feet from the hole. Put a tee there. Add more tees every two feet farther back. Start at the closest tee. Hit one putt per turn. Make it and move back a tee. Miss it and move forward one. Play alone or with friends. See who reaches the top first.
The drill
- Place a tee about three feet out.
- Add tees every two feet back.
- Make it to move back.
- Miss it to move forward.
- Race your friends to the top.
Why it works
Putting is mostly about controlling distance and start line, and a ladder makes you do both at changing lengths. One putt per turn removes practice strokes, so each attempt carries the same weight as a putt on the course. The move-back, move-forward rule gives you instant feedback and keeps you at a distance where you are challenged but still holding the pace of the game.
Common mistakes
- You spread the tees unevenly or guess the first distance.Measure the first tee with your putter, then set each next tee two feet farther back so the steps stay equal.
- You hit extra putts or rake a second ball after a miss.Hit one putt per turn and accept the result, then move forward or back as the rules say.
- You rush each turn and skip your normal routine.Take the same read, aim and one practice-free setup every turn so the game trains the habits you use on the course.
How you'll know it's working
- You can reach the middle tees without moving forward on most turns.
- Your missed putts finish close to the hole, not well short or long.
- The ball starts on your chosen line on short putts, and you can see it roll over the same spot.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Use only the first four tees and count a ball that stops within a putter-head length of the hole as a make.
Harder: Add tees farther back, or make a miss move you forward two tees instead of one.
Common questions
How many tees do I need for a putting ladder game?
Six to ten tees works well. Each tee marks one rung, spaced two feet apart, starting about three feet from the hole.
Can I play a putting ladder game alone?
Yes. Hit one putt per turn, move back after a make and forward after a miss, and note how high up the ladder you get in a set time, such as 15 minutes.
