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🏌️ Putting Practice Drills

5 Best Golf Putting Drills for Consistent Pace Control

Pace control is responsible for more three-putts than misread lines. Amateur golfers consistently hit long putts 30-40% too hard or too soft. These 5 drills build automatic pace calibration that survives round pressure.

1

The Clock Drill

SETUP

Place balls at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet from the hole — compass positions around the cup.

EXECUTION

Putt all four. Rotate 90 degrees and repeat. Score: how many consecutive rounds of 4 you hole.

Why It Works: This eliminates directional bias — most golfers have a preferred putting direction they don't know about.
2

The Ladder Drill

SETUP

Place 5 balls at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50-foot distances from a single hole.

EXECUTION

Putt each ball in order from shortest to longest. Goal: every putt stops within 2 feet of the hole.

Why It Works: This trains the exponential pace adjustment required as distance increases — the hardest thing about lag putting.
3

The Gate Drill

SETUP

Place two tees 1 inch wider than your putter face, 6 inches in front of the ball on your target line.

EXECUTION

Stroke through the gate 50 times — you should never hit a tee if your face is square and stroke is on path.

Why It Works: Face angle at impact causes 80% of putting direction error. This drill gives instant physical feedback.
4

The Newspaper Drill

SETUP

Lay a folded newspaper 3 feet past the hole.

EXECUTION

Practice 20-foot putts aiming to stop the ball on the newspaper, not in the hole. Remove hole from the equation.

Why It Works: When you stop thinking about holing the putt and focus only on distance, your pace control improves 30-40%.
5

The Eyes Closed Drill

SETUP

Set up to a 15-foot putt with your eyes open, take your usual read.

EXECUTION

Close your eyes and putt. Feel the stroke length and rhythm. Open eyes after the putt leaves the face.

Why It Works: Removing visual feedback forces you to rely on feel — which is what pace control actually is. Transfers directly to pressure putting.
🎯 Key Insight

"Pace control is feel, not mechanics. You develop feel through repetition with feedback — not through thinking about mechanics during the putting stroke."

Build the Swing These Drills Require

GOATY's training develops the tempo consistency and body stillness that creates reliable putting mechanics. When your body is consistent, your pace feel can develop — inconsistent mechanics mask pace problems by introducing random variables on every stroke.

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