Alright, so I’ve been trying to spice up my putting practice lately. Just hitting ball after ball gets boring, you know? So I started messing around with some putting games, and let me tell you, it’s made a world of difference. Here’s what I did.
The “Ladder” Drill
First, I set up this “ladder” drill. I took five balls and placed them in a straight line, each about a foot apart. The first ball was maybe three feet from the hole, and the last one was, I don’t know, seven or eight feet away.
- First Ball: 3 feet
- Second Ball: 4 feet
- Third Ball: 5 feet
- Fourth Ball: 6 feet
- Fifth Ball: 7-8 feet
The goal? Simple. I started with the closest ball and tried to sink it. If I made it, I moved to the next one. If I missed, I had to start all over from the first ball. Man, it’s frustrating at first, but it really forces you to focus on each putt. It is a good game to build my confidence.
Around the World
Then, I did this “around the world” thing. I picked four spots around the hole, like at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock, each about four feet away. I would not finish until I make all of them.
I started at one spot and tried to make the putt. If I made it, I rotated to the next spot. If I missed, I stayed put and tried again. The idea is to make putts from all different angles. Once I can consistently make these, I will make the putt longer and longer to challenge myself.
Gate crasher
I also tried the gate crasher at the end of my practice. I put two tee sticks in front of the hole to form a gate that is slightly wider than my golf ball. I must pass the ball through the gate and get in the hole. This will really test how accurate I am.
Honestly, these simple games have made practicing way more fun. And I feel like my putting is actually getting better because I’m not just mindlessly hitting balls. I’m actually focusing, and that’s key. If you’re looking to improve your putting, give these a shot. They’re easy to set up, and they really do help.
