Putting · Drill
Play a Putting Game Where Misses Move Back
Part of our putting programs for three-putts, missing short putts, putting yips. Build a program with it
This game makes every short miss count. Play nine holes on the practice green. Each one is a par 2, from 15 to 50 feet. Count every stroke. Here's the twist. Any putt after the first that doesn't drop gets moved back one putter length from the hole. A miss by an inch becomes a nervy three-footer. Keep going until it drops. You'll work on lag putting and short-putt nerves at once.
The drill
- Set up nine par-2 holes.
- Mix distances from 15 to 50 feet.
- Move each miss back a putter length.
- Hole out every time.
- Keep score and try to shoot par.
Why it works
Most three-putts come from two causes: a first putt left too far from the hole, and a second putt that is missed under pressure. This game trains both. You need good speed on the first putt to leave a short second putt, because each miss after that moves you back a putter length and makes the next putt harder. Counting every stroke makes the cost of a poor lag or a poor short putt clear.
Common mistakes
- You treat the first putt as a throwaway because it is long.Aim to finish within a putter length of the hole, and judge each lag by how close it stops, not by whether it drops.
- You rush the short putts after a miss.Use the same routine on every putt, with a look at the line, a practice stroke and then the putt.
- You skip the penalty move or place the ball back by eye.Use your putter to measure one length from the hole each time, and mark the spot before you move the ball.
How you'll know it's working
- Your first putts regularly stop within a putter length of the hole, so few misses need to move back.
- Your score over nine holes gets closer to par, with fewer holes taking three or more strokes.
- Your stroke length and tempo on the short putts after a miss feel the same as on your first putts.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Use distances from 15 to 30 feet and move each miss back only a grip length instead of a full putter length.
Harder: Use only the longest distances, up to 50 feet, and add a stroke whenever a first putt finishes more than a putter length past or short of the hole.
Common questions
How do I stop three-putting?
Work on distance control for your first putt so it finishes close to the hole, then practice short putts under pressure. This drill covers both.
How far should I practice lag putts from?
Use a range of distances, since the course gives you different lengths each hole. This drill mixes 15 to 50 feet so you must adjust your speed each time.
