No More 3-Putts: The Simple Putting Drill That Actually Works

Three-putts are the easiest strokes to eliminate from your game. They don't require athletic ability, swing changes, or expensive equipment. They just need a bit of structured practice and better awareness of distance.

Three-Putts Are a Distance Problem, Not a Direction Problem

Three-putts almost always come from poor distance control on the first putt, not poor aim. If your first putt finishes within 3 feet of the hole, you'll make the second putt almost every time.

The Gate Drill for Lag Putting

Set up two tees about 3 feet past the hole, roughly a putter-width apart. From 20, 30, and 40 feet, your goal is to get every putt past the hole but through the gate. This trains you to always get the ball to the hole and gives you a defined acceptable zone for your speed.

The Pre-Round Routine That Saves Shots

Before your round, hit 10 putts from 30 feet. Don't aim at a hole - just pick a spot and focus on speed. This calibrates your feel for the greens that day. Five minutes of lag putting before you tee off is worth more than 30 minutes of hitting drivers on the range.