Mr. Short Game

Practice Putting Without a Hole

Most golfers practice putting by simply rolling balls toward a hole. But elite putting improvement comes from training precision, pressure control, and face awareness — not just repetition. This drill creates measurable pressure while sharpening your ability to start putts exactly on line.

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Why This Drill Matters

This is a precision-based putting drill designed to improve your start line and focus under pressure.

  • Most golfers never train face control directly.
  • Mindless repetition creates limited improvement.
  • Small targets force elite-level precision.
  • Pressure-based practice transfers better to the course.

Setup: The Tee Circle Drill

You only need a few simple items to build the drill.

  • 5 golf balls
  • 6 tees
  • A flat putting surface

Step 1: Create the Center Target

Place one tee in the middle. This becomes your precision target.

Step 2: Build the Circle

Place five tees around the center tee in a small circle roughly three feet away.

Step 3: Position the Golf Balls

Place one golf ball at each outside tee.

The Drill

Your goal is simple — but demanding:

  • Hit the center tee with all five balls.
  • You must complete all five successfully in a row.
  • If you miss once, restart from zero.

The restart rule is what creates pressure and sharpens focus.

Important Rules

  • Precision matters more than speed.
  • Focus entirely on start line accuracy.
  • Do not “guide” the putter through impact.
  • Treat every putt like it matters.

How to Progress the Drill

Level 1: Complete Five in a Row

Stay at the original distance until you complete all five successfully.

Level 2: Move Back One Foot

Once successful, move the circle farther away and repeat the challenge.

Level 3: Continue Increasing Distance

Each completed round increases the difficulty and pressure.

Why This Works

  • Improves face control — the most important putting skill.
  • Builds pressure tolerance through consequence.
  • Sharpens start-line precision.
  • Creates intentional practice instead of random repetition.

Common Mistakes

  • Trying to steer the ball instead of making a confident stroke.
  • Ignoring the restart rule after a miss.
  • Focusing on distance instead of precision.
  • Practicing too quickly without full commitment.

Final Takeaway

If you can repeatedly hit a tee-sized target under pressure, a regulation golf hole begins to feel much larger. This drill trains the precision, focus, and commitment that great putters rely on when the pressure increases.

The goal is not just making putts in practice — it’s building a stroke you can trust when the round matters most.