Mr. Short Game

Nail the 3 to 4 Foot Putt

Short putts create more tension than almost any other shot in golf. The closer golfers get to the hole, the more they tend to guide the putter, decelerate, and lose confidence. This simple obstacle drill helps eliminate that tension by training a committed, accelerating putting stroke.

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Why 3–4 Foot Putts Feel So Difficult

Most missed short putts are not caused by complicated mechanics.

  • Golfers decelerate through impact.
  • The putter face becomes unstable.
  • Tension builds during the stroke.
  • The focus shifts toward “not missing.”

The result is often a pushed or pulled putt that never starts online.

The Obstacle Putting Drill

This drill changes your focus and naturally encourages a more confident stroke.

Step 1: Choose a Short Putt

  • Select a straight 3–4 foot putt.
  • Set up normally with your standard routine.

Step 2: Add an Obstacle

  • Place an alignment stick or similar object about two feet past the hole.
  • Position it directly on your target line.

Step 3: Roll the Ball Over the Obstacle

The goal is simple:

  • Roll the putt firmly enough to travel over the obstacle while still making the putt.

That small adjustment changes the entire feel of the stroke.

What the Drill Teaches

  • Acceleration through impact.
  • Better rhythm and tempo.
  • More committed putting strokes.
  • Reduced fear of missing.

Instead of trying to “guide” the ball softly into the hole, you begin making athletic, confident strokes.

The Mental Shift

One of the biggest benefits of the drill is psychological.

Your focus changes from:

  • “Don’t miss this putt.”

To:

  • “Roll the ball confidently over the obstacle.”

That subtle shift removes tension and allows the stroke to become more natural.

What Good Repetitions Feel Like

  • The putter accelerates smoothly.
  • The stroke feels free instead of forced.
  • The ball starts online consistently.
  • Speed becomes more predictable.

As confidence grows, the short putts begin to feel automatic rather than stressful.

How to Progress the Drill

  • Start with straight putts.
  • Make several putts in a row before moving farther away.
  • Remove the obstacle while maintaining the same stroke feel.
  • Gradually add slight breaking putts.

The key is carrying the same confident acceleration into every repetition.

Why This Transfers to the Course

Pressure putting improves when the stroke becomes familiar under stress.

  • You stop steering the putter.
  • You trust your routine more naturally.
  • You become comfortable with firm, committed strokes.
  • The fear of short putts decreases dramatically.

Confidence on short putts is usually built through repetition and trust — not mechanical overthinking.

Final Thought

The best short-putting drills simplify the task instead of adding more swing thoughts. This obstacle drill trains confidence, acceleration, and commitment all at once.

Roll the ball with conviction, trust the stroke, and let repetition turn pressure putts into opportunities instead of fears.