Putting · Drill
Two Tees for Center-Face Putts
Part of our putting programs for three-putts, start line. Build a program with it
Hitting the center of the face gives you steady speed. Here's a simple way to train it. Push two tees into the green, just wider than your putter head. One at the heel, one at the toe. Set the putter between them behind the ball. Make strokes without touching either tee. Start at three feet. Then try longer putts. Move the tees closer as you get better.
The drill
- Push in two tees just wider than your putter.
- Set the putter between them.
- Stroke without touching them.
- Start at three feet, then go longer.
- Narrow the gap over time.
Why it works
A ball struck off the center of the face leaves with the speed you intended. A strike toward the heel or toe twists the putter head and loses speed, so distance control suffers. The two tees give you a narrow channel, so a stroke that swings off line or shifts the face position touches a tee and you get feedback at once.
Common mistakes
- You set the tees so wide that the drill gives no feedback.Place the tees just wider than the putter head so a poor path or a shifted strike touches one.
- You look at the tees instead of the ball and the target during the stroke.Set up with the tees in your view, then keep your eyes on the ball and let the stroke run through the gap.
- You move to longer putts before you can clear the tees at three feet.Stay at three feet until you make several clean strokes in a row, then lengthen the putt.
How you'll know it's working
- The putter passes through the gap without touching either tee for several strokes in a row.
- The ball rolls off the face with a smooth, even roll and no wobble.
- Your putts of the same length finish a similar distance from the hole.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Widen the gap between the tees a little and stay at three feet until the strokes feel steady.
Harder: Move the tees closer to the putter head and make the putts longer while still clearing both tees.
Common questions
How do I hit the center of the putter face every time?
Keep a steady setup and a stroke that swings straight through without the face twisting. A drill with two tees at the heel and toe shows you right away when you stray.
Why does hitting the heel or toe of the putter affect distance?
An off-center strike twists the putter head at impact and passes less energy to the ball. The ball then comes up short of where you meant it to finish.
