I start off before a round just hitting long 'lag' putts to the other side of the green, just to get a feel for the speed that day.  Trying to get the ball to die right at the fringe, kind of like how we used to play 'quarters'.

Then, I work on hitting short putts (3 footers) off the back of the cup, not dying them in.  After this, I'll hit 6-8 footers, trying to make them all, from a different direction each time, going through my routine and lining them up, just like they were for birdie on course.  I end up with draining a few 4-footers to ingrain that feeling of making a putt confidently (and hearing it in the cup) before I head to the first tee.

I like using the putting mirror so I can see that I am aligning myself correctly. My big mess up is when my posture becomes poor and I start hunching over the ball. I just hit a few putts everyday to make sure I'm aligned correctly. Everything else for me is just feel. 

Here is a drill that teaches reading break & speed. It's a game called 3,6,9.

Take 3 balls and line them up 3', 6' & 9' from the hole.

Then move 90 degrees from this line and do the same thing with 3 balls .  

Do this again with 3 more balls 90 degrees from this line.  Repeat 90 degrees from this line.

You should end up with a "cross shape" around the hole with each arm of the cross having three balls 3',6' & 9" from the hole.  This should give you three different distances for 3 uphill putts, 3 downhill putts, 3 left breaking sidehill putts & 3 right breaking sidehill putts.  

The objective of the game is to see how many strokes it takes you along each line.  A perfect score would be 3 putts along each line for a total of 12 strokes.

This drill accomplishes a number of things:

- you'll identify where you're strengths are in terms of distance, type of putt (i.e. uphill, downhill, left sidehill & right sidehill)

- when you putt 3 different distances along each break line you'll develop a sense for speed control and taking the break.

Have fun! Let us know when you get a perfect score of 12!

Steve, 

Thank you for the detailed response, I will definitely be doing the 3,6,9 today. Sounds like a great drill, especially because it allows you to identify, like you said, your strengths and weaknesses in regards of left-right break, uphill, downhill, ect. 

Best,

Jesse

I like to go out at lunch and just spend 30 or 40 minutes putting, just use 1 ball. That way you have to go through your whole routine every shot. The emphasis is in on getting a solid pre shot routine. It makes for a more real experience, you only get one chance when it's game on. And when you do take it to the course you can draw on your routine to ensure your ready to make a good stroke. Hitting the shots in practice is the bonus, but get the routine, ball position, alignment down solid.

What I usually do on the practice green is I put two tees where I would strike the ball and that helps the line of the putter through the strike of the ball. It also helps the path of the putter and getting that better contact on the putter face.

if your making 25 4 footers in a row, you need to work on speed

Could you elaborate a bit on this?

I have putting competitions with my playing partners where we will play 18 par 2 "holes" on the practice green and we will bet prov1s on it.

After rolling random balls with no direction to figure green speed, I usually go to hitting 3-4 four foot straight putts.  I then use two balls and hit to different holes with each ball from 15-20 feet and then 30+ feet, trying to trust my instinct and worry less about perceived stroke issues.  Juniors putt well because the trust their instincts so well.  I then putt myself in higher pressure situations and go through my full routine through different lengths.

I focus on 2 main things, speed and line.

For the line, I use the mirror, I look for a straight putt and hit 9 putts, 6 focusing on alligning myself correctly and 3 on making it.

For the speed, I like doing like Jordan Speith and looking at my aiming spot, I particularly don't use the hole because it defeats the purpose of this drill, I use the fringe instead. Uphill and downhill, same distance for both, around 9 putts on each

I believe your thought are way off ,each there own

Mike,

That's not quite a grammatically sound response, I still do not know what you are trying to say. 

Thank you!

Do you play at one course most of the time or do you play lots of different places?

How you practice your putting will depend on which you answer...

WW

Had to reply, I just bought a sweet practice green for my house.  Its has 3 holes at the end , about 6 ft long and its raised in the middle.  With a buddies advice, I know practice 6,5,4,3 ft putts. 12 balls all from these lengths.  His advice is , practice these lengths cause your not always going to be hitting a 30 ft putt. So that's my new practice routine.  And in the spring I'll take that to the course. So far so Good. 

Since I push the ball a lot I do what Jordan Spieth does. I put an alignment rod on the toe side of the putter and it helps my line. 

Hi Jesse,

Ive been working on my mental game. I try to remember or imagine myself in a high pressure putt. I build up the same level of anxiety and get comfortable, or at least effective, while in that scenario. I find it helps to only practice putting with just one or two balls, like using a smaller range bucket, I will want to make each shot count. It also simulates the extra time between shots like on the course, instead of dragging in the next ball.

Hope this makes some kind of sense. 

Spud

Before a game I always work on distance control; getting the ball passed the hole.  During a practice stroke I always look at the hole; I feel this gives me a better idea of pace in the same way you never look at an object you throw, but the target