Putting Practice Tips from Southwest Greens New Mexico

Improve Your Putting Skills in Your Own Backyard

Anyone who has played a round of golf knows how much putting performance can impact your golf score. When you are putting well it can save you from previous poor shots. When it is not going so well, it can amount to a level of red-in-the-face frustration you may not have experienced before. (We’ve all been there.)

It’s estimated that putting is 40 percent of a golf game. While we may not be able to drive a ball as far as a professional golfer, a putting green is one area of a course where all things are equal. The average golfer can aspire to putt like the pros with enough practice and the right equipment.

Backyard putting greens provide a great opportunity to gain an advantage for your golf game. Synthetic turf greens are especially helpful as they perform the same as natural grass greens. Adding the benefit of low-maintenance and aesthetic appeal makes artificial grass putting greens a great value for your home.

With that in mind, we’ve collected a few putting drills to help you improve your game.

Putting Between Tees

Putting a ball between tees is a fantastic way to practice your line. Lay tees just outside of the width of your putter head and place the ball in the center. The intention is to strike the ball solidly without moving the tees. This exercise will teach you to focus on your backswing and can help if you tend to push or pull the ball in one direction or the other around the hole. (Read more about this drill at https://golf.com/instruction/putting/10-pga-tour-player-approved-putting-drills-you-can-try/)

Clock Putting Drill

There is nothing more aggravating to a golfer than leaving a putt 3-feet short then missing that putt. Many broken putters laying at the bottom of a nearby lake can attest to that. By improving your consistency with your 3 to 8-foot putts can reduce the need to make these pressure putts. The Clock Putting Drill is designed to help develop more confidence and rhythm. Line 12 balls equally distanced around the hole clockwise. Try starting from a closer distance, say 3-feet, and gradually moving out to further distances. This will help determine if you are regularly missing to one side or the other or leaving putts short or long. (Read more about this drill at https://www.better-golf-by-putting-better.com/clock-drill.html)

1-2-3 Drill

Another practice drill to help with consistency is the 1-2-3 Drill. Simply arrange 12 balls in four rows from distances of 3-foot, 6-foot, and 9-foot (three balls per row) forming a cross around the hole. Start with the closest ball in each row working your way around. If you miss, restart the drill. (Read more about this drill at https://golfworkoutprogram.com/best-putting-drills/)

The Rubber Band Drill

Striking the ball consistently on the face of the putter can greatly improve your putting game. After all, putters have sweet spots just like any other club. A simple way to practice is by wrapping two rubber bands around your putter leaving just enough room to hit the ball in the center of the club. Any strike away from the center will bounce off the rubber band and careen to the side. If the putter design does not allow for bands to be easily attached, you can use tape that allows you to feel when you haven’t struck the ball squarely. (Read more about this drill at https://practical-golf.com/putting-drills-guide/)

If you are serious about improving your golf game and practicing like the pros, synthetic golf greens are the perfect resource. Our greens are custom designed to perfectly fit any area in your backyard or lawn. Artificial greens are environmentally friendly and do not require watering or fertilizer. Southwest Greens has the experience and expertise to create the perfect putting green for you. Contact us today for a free estimate.