Mastering putting distance control is a game-changer for golfers who want to lower their scores and gain confidence on the greens. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned golfer, understanding how to control your putting distance can significantly impact your performance. By practicing specific putting drills, golfers can develop a feel for distance, consistency, and accuracy, ultimately leading to more successful putts and fewer strokes.
In this article, we’ll break down the importance of putting distance control, explore the best drills for improving distance control, and provide tips for practicing efficiently. With the right drills, you’ll learn how to hit the ball with precision and master the art of distance control on the greens.
Why Distance Control Matters in Golf
Distance control is one of the most critical skills every golfer needs, especially when it comes to putting. Without the ability to control the distance of your putts, even the most accurate golfers may struggle on the greens.
When a golfer struggles with distance control, they often face the frustration of having too many putts per round. Long putts can become challenging, leading to mistakes like overshooting the hole or leaving the ball far past the target. By practicing distance control, golfers can consistently hit putts that are close to the hole, reducing the number of putts required to finish a hole and lowering their scores.
How to Improve Putting Distance Control with Drills
The key to improving putting distance control lies in the consistent practice of effective drills. These drills help golfers develop a feel for how far to hit the ball, ensuring that every putt is executed with the proper speed and precision.
A great drill for distance control is to set up a series of putts from varying distances. Start by focusing on short putts, then progressively increase the distance. The goal is to develop the right touch for every length of putt, from five feet to 40 feet away from the hole. Using a distance control drill, golfers can get a feel for the proper speed required to sink longer putts without leaving the ball too far from the hole.
Role of the Putting Stroke in Distance Control
The putting stroke plays a crucial role in achieving distance control. A proper putting stroke should be smooth, consistent, and controlled. The length of your backswing and follow-through will determine how far the ball travels.
To improve your distance control, focus on making a controlled, rhythmic stroke. Practice hitting putts with varying speeds by adjusting the length of your backswing and follow-through. A smoother putting stroke will help ensure that the ball rolls the correct distance while maintaining accuracy.
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The Ladder Drill: A Powerful Tool for Distance Control
The ladder drill is a popular and effective practice tool for improving distance control. This drill involves setting up a series of targets at varying distances from the hole, similar to a ladder pattern. Begin by putting the ball closest to the target and gradually work your way back to the farthest point.
As you work through the drill, focus on maintaining consistent distance control. You should aim to get each putt as close as possible to the hole without overshooting it. The ladder drill is a great way to train your muscle memory, making it easier to replicate successful putting distance control on the golf course.
Eyes Closed Drill: Enhancing Feel and Accuracy
One of the most effective drills for improving your distance control is the eyes closed drill. As the name suggests, this drill involves hitting putts with your eyes closed to focus on the feel and sound of the putter striking the ball.
The purpose of this drill is to improve your tactile awareness and ability to control the distance of the ball based purely on feel. Since you can’t rely on visual cues, you’ll have to trust your body’s instinct and develop a sense for how much force to apply. This drill is excellent for helping golfers get a better feel for the correct speed and distance control without overthinking their technique.
Using Wedge Distance Control to Improve Putting
While wedge play primarily focuses on approach shots, the principles of wedge distance control can also be applied to putting. Just like a wedge shot requires precision and the correct amount of force, putting demands the same level of distance control.
The more you practice wedge shots from different distances, the better you’ll understand how to adjust your putting stroke to achieve a similar effect. Think of your putter as a “wedge” on the green, and work on honing your ability to control the distance of your putts in the same way you would a wedge shot.
How to Develop a Consistent Putting Routine
A consistent putting routine is essential for improving your putting distance control. To develop this routine, establish the same pre-putt steps before every putt. Focus on alignment, aim, and pace before each stroke.
For example, pick a target line, line up your putter with the golf ball, and take a few practice strokes to visualize the putt. Repeating these actions before each putt helps eliminate distractions and allows you to focus solely on distance control.
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Importance of Practice Greens for Putting Drills
A practice green is a golfer’s best friend when it comes to improving distance control. Unlike the golf course, which may have unpredictable conditions, a practice green allows you to consistently work on your putting distance without distractions.
Golfers can try a variety of drills in a controlled environment by practicing on the practice green. Regular sessions on the practice green help build muscle memory and improve the golfer’s ability to handle different putting distances on the course.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them During Putting Practice
While practicing putting distance control, golfers often make a few common mistakes that can hinder progress. These mistakes include:
- Overhitting or Underhitting: Many golfers struggle with getting the ball the right distance, either by hitting it too hard or not hard enough. Consistent practice with distance control drills helps eliminate this issue.
- Lack of Focus: Sometimes, golfers get too focused on the hole and not enough on the speed of the putt. Remember, distance control is just as important as accuracy, so keep both in mind during practice.
- Poor Alignment: Alignment plays a significant role in ensuring the ball travels the right distance. Focus on lining up your putter properly before each stroke.
By recognizing these mistakes and actively working to avoid them, golfers can sharpen their distance control and lower their putting woes.
How Distance Control Affects Your Golf Game and Scoring
Distance control is a key factor in determining a golfer’s overall success. Putts that are too long or too short can lead to unnecessary strokes, while well-controlled putts help golfers avoid three-putts and make more birdies.
Improving putting distance control can significantly lower your scores, especially when it comes to making long putts or finishing short putts. By practicing distance control, golfers can gain a competitive edge, reduce their number of putts per round, and play their best golf.
Conclusion
Mastering golf distance control drills is key to improving your short game and lowering your scores. By consistently practicing these drills, you’ll develop a better feel for how to control the distance of your putts, leading to fewer three-putts and more successful birdies. Whether it’s using the ladder drill, eyes closed drill, or focusing on your putting stroke, these drills will enhance your accuracy and consistency on the greens. Keep practicing, stay patient, and you’ll notice a significant improvement in your golf game, leading to more confident and successful putts.
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