Doing the math, $150,000 divided by four putts equals $37,500 each. That’s why you see tour pros spending so much time on the practice green working on their stroke. How much time do you spend on the putting practice green? When I work with students, I tell them they should spend the same amount of time working on putting and chipping as they do banging balls on the range. One of my favorite drills is the ‘around the world’ drill. Place ten balls three feet around the hole and force yourself to make all ten. It is a bit more difficult than it seems. When Jackie Burke challenged a young Phil Mickelson to make 100 consecutive three-foot putts, it took him six hours. Rest assured, if you make only eight, or nine out of ten, you will drastically improve your putting on the course. Over time, however, golfers should strive to make ten out of ten every time. Once you are comfortable with three-putt putts move out to four feet, then five. Remember as you increase the distance, the percentage of putts made will decease slightly as well. Last year, Chesson Hadley led the PGA Tour by making 66% of putts longer than ten feet. If an average golfer makes 40% or even 50% of putts longer than ten feet, he is considered exceptional with the flat stick. The point here is don’t forget to practice putting. This is only one drill, there are several more, plus great training aids like the Putting Arc to groove the correct stroke and improve your putting.
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