There are several good putting drills that can help you improve with the flat stick. Here are a few that I use in my instruction.
Putt to the fringe
Drop balls on different areas on the green and putt towards the fringe, trying to get the ball to stop right in the fringe. This drill helps a golfer get a good sense of distance control without focusing on a specific target such as a golf hole.
Three clubs on the ground
Lay three clubs on the ground. The first two should be about six inches apart from each other (parallel) and pointing towards the hole (this works best for straight putts). The other club should be parallel to the other two, and touching the tips of the golfer's feet as they set up. Putt balls in between the first two clubs towards the hole. This teaches the player to get the clubhead going straight back and straight through along the target line (because otherwise the clubhead will hit the shaft of one of the clubs on the ground) and also how to set up with the feet parallel left of the target line.
3,6,9,12
Place four balls down in a straight line. The first ball should be about three feet away from the hole, the second about six feet, the third about nine feet and the fourth about twelve. Try to putt the balls in the hole, starting with the three footer, then the six footer, and so on. If any putt is missed, the golfer must 'start over' with the three footer. Only when all balls are made should the golfer move on to the next drill. This teaches distance control on a small to medium length scale and puts a little pressure on the player to make the longer putts.
Circle the hole
Place eight to ten balls in a circle around the hole, with each ball a few feet away from the hole. Walk around the circle and attempt to make each putt. This will make the golfer more comfortable with shorter putts and build confidence. They will get a sense of playing small variances in the break of the green as well. Focus should be on keeping the head still and putting the ball with enough pace so that it hits the back of the cup.
Lean a club on the leg
Putt balls to the hole with a club leaning on either leg. Try to keep the lower body completely still during the golf stroke so that the leaning club does not move. If the club moves, the golfer has used lower body motion during the putt (a no-no). Lower body motion during a putt makes distance control more difficult to gauge.
Putt to a tee or a ball
Instead of putting to the hole, putt to a tee (pushed into the ground on the putting surface), or another golf ball. After a bit of practice doing this, putt to a hole again and notice how much bigger the hole seems. This will help a golfer putt on the target line with greater accuracy.
Look for the black dot
After a ball is hit on the green, a 'black spot' where the ball used to be is visible for a split second. Putt the ball then look for the black spot on the ground before looking at where the ball is going. This will train the player to keep the eyes down until after contact, an absolute must for good putting. This drill is most valuable on short putts, when the desire to lift the eyes up too soon is the greatest.
Try these drills and hopefully your putting will improve. Remember to keep it fun and challenge yourself.
