How you practice is just as important as HOW MUCH.
One of the best ways to improve the quality of your practice sessions is to simulate the pressure of being on the golf course.
And, if you’re anything like me, one of the places where you feel the most pressure is on the putting green when you’re facing a make-able putt inside of 10 feet.
These types of putts can have a HUGE effect on both your scorecard and your confidence – turning pars into birdies and double bogeys into bogeys.
To help you re-create that pressure you feel when hitting these crucial putts try my simple putting drill next time you’re on the practice green…
Make your target bigger.
When you’re facing a long distance putt the hole can seem like a pretty unrealistic target. Instead of zeroing in on the cup I like to imagine the cup in the center of a circle with a radius of 3 to 4 feet – giving myself a more realist target that I can feel confident about hitting.
Grab 10 golf balls
Grab 10 golf balls and drop them at a spot 3 feet away from the hole (about one putter length). Your job is to make 10 in a row, and if you miss one you must start the count over at 0.
Once you make 10 putts
Once you make 10 putts in a row from 3 feet move back to 6 feet (about 2 putter lengths). From this distance try to make 10 putts in a row starting the count over at 0 if you miss.
6 foot goal
As soon as you have reached your 6 foot goal move back to 9 feet away from
the hole (about 3 putter lengths) and start again with the same goal in mind – making 10 in a row.
From each distance you’ll find that making the first few putts is easy, but as you reach 6, 7, 8, and 9 in a row you will definitely feel the pressure mount just like it does on the golf course.
If you’re having trouble making 10 putts in a row start the drill over and shoot for 5 in a row from each distance. The important part is not to change the required number of putts during the drill – once you set a goal keep going until you reach it.
This drill also helps you realize the importance of FOCUS on the course.
