Putt Your Way to Lower Scores (Part IV)

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 27, 2026

Golf instructors recommend three specific putting drills that focus on distance control, strike consistency, and reading slopes to help players improve their skills on the greens. Mastering these exercises can lead to more accurate putts and ultimately lower golf scores in competitive play.

Consistent practice is widely recognized as essential for improving putting skills in golf, and targeted drills can help players enhance distance control and overall performance on the greens. In a continuation of a putting instruction series, three practical exercises are recommended for golfers aiming to reduce their scores.

The first drill focuses on developing distance control for lag putts, which involve longer shots aimed at positioning the ball close to the hole for an easier follow-up putt. The "five-ball drill" involves placing five golf balls at varying spots around the hole. Players attempt to hole each putt consecutively, gradually increasing the distance once comfortable. This exercise is designed to build confidence and consistency in leaving oneself with shorter, more manageable second putts.

The second tip emphasizes improving the quality of contact between the putter and the ball. Golfers are advised to fix their gaze on a specific dimple on the back-center of the ball throughout the stroke. This simple visual focus helps maintain a steady head position and encourages striking the ball with the center of the putter face, leading to a cleaner hit and a smoother roll.

Finally, practicing on uneven terrain introduces an additional challenge critical for real course conditions. Setting up a slope drill, often arranged in a horseshoe shape around a breaking putt, helps golfers refine green reading skills and understand how the slope influences both the ball’s path and its speed. By practicing uphill, downhill, and sidehill putts, players can learn to adjust the force of their stroke accordingly. Mastering these variations enhances a player’s ability to confidently make putts under diverse conditions.

Together, these drills target key aspects of putting—distance control, strike consistency, and slope management—equipping golfers with the tools to improve their performance during competitive play. Regular attention to these areas on the practice green can translate into fewer strokes and lower scores on the course.

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