Many golfers know that putting is an area that is costing them shots, but few golfers know how to practice putting effectively. In this article, we share three of the best putting drills I’ve found from my 20 years of coaching. They are all simple to carry out, give you a score to beat each time, and I’ll explain how each links to putting performance and scoring.
#1 – 20 In A Row L1 (Optimise Your Start line)
| Time / Reps | 20 mins · up to 35 putts |
| Ideal Handicap | 50 → Scratch (universal skills drill) |
| Gear Needed | Putter · 3–5 balls · flat 3‑ft putt |
Why do it?
If you can’t start your putts on line then you’ll never be a consistent putter. However, most golfers don’t practice in a way that gives them clear feedback on their start line. If you putt from 5-6 feet with any sort of break, then it’s a struggle to know why you missed – was it a poor read? Poor pace? Start line? Or the ball taking a couple of stray bounces.
This drill is so simple, but so effective, as it gives you clear feedback on if you can start the golf ball on line. With each putt try and hit the dead centre of the hole and pay attention if it slips into the hole left/right of centre.
Set‑up
- Find a straight 3‑ft putt on the practice green (or an indoor mat).
- Place 3–5 balls behind the starting spot for quick batching.
How to play
- Putt the first ball. If it drops, move straight to the next.
- Goal: hole 20 putts in a row without a miss.
- Miss at any point? Reset to 0 and start the streak again.
- Continue until you’ve holed 20 consecutive putts or hit all 35 attempts (whichever comes first).
Scoring
Your score = longest streak of holed putts (max = 20). Log it in the app and try to beat it in the next session.
#2 – 3‑6‑9 ft Putting L1 (Start‑Line + Speed Combiner)
| Time / Reps | 20 mins · up to 40 putts |
| Ideal Handicap | 30 → Scratch (fundamental for all players) |
| Gear Needed | Putter · 3 balls · tees/coins to mark 3 ft, 6 ft, 9 ft |
Why do it?
This is a putting drill I’ve used for over 20 years and I’ve passed on to many players from beginners to Tour players (with small tweaks). This putting drill takes your ability you’ve learned above to start the golf ball on line and requires you to apply it to different length putts, with longer back and through swings.
It also tests you to control pace for putts inside 10 feet, which is more important than many golfers realise.
Set‑up
- Find a straight or slight uphill lane on the practice green.
- Use tees/coins to mark 3 ft, 6 ft, 9 ft from the hole (3 ft ≈ one putter length).
- Start with 3 balls at the 3‑ft station.
How to play
- Hole one putt from 3 ft.
- Move to 6 ft and hole one; then to 9 ft and hole one.
- Streak resets to 0 if you miss at any distance—return to 3 ft and begin again.
- Continue until you’ve cleared all three distances in sequence or reached 40 total attempts.
Scoring
Your score = longest consecutive run of successful 3‑6‑9 clears (max = 3). Example: clear 3 ft & 6 ft but miss 9 ft → score 2. Log the best streak for the session.
Pro‑tip / Progression
After you can complete 3 in‑a‑row consistently, add two golf balls from each stage, both have to be holed or you move back to 3ft and start again.
➡️ Record today’s best streak in Break X Golf—unlock Level 2 and beyond to see how this putting drill keeps progressing.
Drill #3 – 10‑to‑20 ft Putting L1 (Mid‑Range Conversion Challenge)
| Time / Reps | 30 mins · 33 putts |
| Ideal Handicap | 25 → Scratch (mirrors on‑course first‑putt length) |
| Gear Needed | Putter · 3 balls · tees/coins to mark 10 ft → 20 ft |
Why do it?
Most golfers have an average first putt length of ~15 feet. For pros, they are generally here in regulation, but for higher handicappers, they are in this position for an extra shot or two after chipping on. Either way, it makes sense to practice the most common distance you will find yourself from the hole.
This game does that, in a fun medal setting to add some extra pressure and give you a score you beat each time you play this game. It also builds on the previous drills we’ve covered by testing you to read green and start the ball on line, with the correct pace. The three attempts you have from each distance is very purposeful, as it gives you time to test your hypothesis for how to hole the putt and adapt your read, or pace two more times so you can start to learn how to hole mid-range putts.
Set‑up
- Find a straight or gently uphill lane on the practice green.
- Place a tee at 10 ft from the hole. Keep a tape measure or use steps to mark each foot.
- Start with 3 balls at the 10‑ft marker.
How to play
- Putt all 3 balls from 10 ft.
- When finished, move the marker back to 11 ft and repeat.
- Continue this process one foot at a time until you complete 20 ft (11 distances × 3 putts = 33 putts).
Scoring
For each putt:
- 1‑putt = birdie (‑1)
- 2‑putt = par (0)
- 3‑putt = bogey (+1)
Add all 33 results to give a single running total.
Example: 12 birdies, 19 pars, 2 bogeys → (‑12 + 0 + 2) = ‑10
Record the number over/under par (par = 0) in the Break X Golf app.
Benchmark targets (Dashboard → Putting Zones)
| Handicap | Solid | Stretch |
|---|---|---|
| 25‑plus | 0 to ‑2 | ‑4 |
| 15‑hcp | ‑3 to ‑6 | ‑8 |
| Single‑digit | ‑7 to ‑10 | ‑12 |
| Scratch / Pro | ‑12 + | — |
Summary
That wraps up our article on the best putting drills to actually lower your scores. You can see that each one serves a specific purpose in your putting and relates directly to how you score.
If you like this approach and want more games like this, automated practice plans and a simple way to track your progress, then check out the Break X Golf app today.
Happy golfing – Will @ Break X Golf