How to Get Better at Putting
We’re here to help you, the amateur golfer, answer the age old question: how to get better at putting.
If you want to lower your scores (who doesn’t?), you must first dial in your game on the greens. This guide will help you begin to slash strokes by holing more putts and eliminating three-putts!
From Frustration to Confidence: Your Guide to Sinking More Putts
If you’ve ever walked off a green muttering to yourself after missing a short putt, you’re in good company. It’s a universal golfer moment — one that feels even worse when you’ve just striped a drive, hit a solid approach, and then let a makeable birdie slip through your fingers. Putting doesn’t care how good the rest of your game is. It’s the great equalizer, the one place on the course where a weekend golfer can beat a scratch player head-to-head.
The good news? Putting is also the easiest part of your game to improve — if you know what to work on. Learning how to get better at putting isn’t about buying a fancy new putter or spending hours grinding mindlessly on the practice green. It’s about sharpening a few specific skills: reading greens more accurately, controlling your speed, and developing a stroke and routine you can trust under pressure.
Think about it this way: every putt is a little puzzle made up of slope, distance, and pace. Get all three pieces to fit, and the ball drops. Miss even one, and you’re tapping in for par (or worse). The goal is to make solving those puzzles second nature, so you can step up to any putt with a clear mind and a confident stroke.
In this guide, we’ll break it all down — from simple ways to read greens better, to drills that actually work, to the mental tricks the pros use when the heat is on. You’ll get PGA Tour insights, relatable feedback from everyday golfers, and charts that show exactly where you can gain the most strokes. By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step blueprint for turning putting from your biggest frustration into your biggest strength.
Practice Smarter, Not Longer
If your practice doesn’t target the right skills, you’re just rolling balls.
Three Go-To Drills:
- Clock Drill – Putt from 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet in rotation.
- Gate Drill – Place two tees just wider than your putter head for path control.
- Lag Ladder – From 20, 30, and 40 feet, try to leave the ball inside 3 feet.
Chart 3 – Make % by Distance (PGA Tour vs. Amateur)
| Distance | PGA Tour | Scratch | 15 Handicap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 ft | 99% | 90% | 70% |
| 6 ft | 70% | 55% | 40% |
| 10 ft | 40% | 30% | 20% |
| 20 ft | 15% | 10% | 5% |
Track Your Progress
What gets measured gets improved. Track your putts per round, 3-putt percentage, and make rate inside 6 feet.
Chart 4 – The Impact of Tracking Stats
| Golfer Type | Before Tracking (Putts/Round) | After Tracking 3 Months | Strokes Gained |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Handicap | 33 | 31.2 | +1.8 |
| 18 Handicap | 35 | 32.9 | +2.1 |
| Beginner (25+) | 37 | 34.5 | +2.5 |
Source: Survey of 120 amateur golfers using stat tracking apps
Create a Consistent Pre-Putt Routine
Your pre-putt process should be the same every time — it builds confidence and removes doubt.
Sample Routine:
- Read the putt from behind.
- Visualize the ball rolling into the hole.
- Take 1–2 practice strokes for feel.
- Step in, aim, and pull the trigger within 5 seconds.
Build Your Putting Mindset
- Commit to every putt.
- Forget the last miss — it’s history.
- Talk to yourself like a caddie: “Good roll here.”
What Real Golfers Say
Mike S., 12 handicap:
“Once I started tracking my 3-putts, I realized my lag putting was terrible. Just focusing on speed control dropped me 3 strokes in a month.”
Karen L., 20 handicap:
“The Gate Drill completely changed my contact. I didn’t realize how often I was hitting off the toe.”
James P., Scratch:
“Even at my level, I still do the Clock Drill every week. Short putts win matches.”
Quick Checklist for Better Putting
- Read from multiple angles
- Speed first, line second
- Practice short putts daily
- Track your putting stats
- Stick to your routine
- Keep your mind quiet and confident
Most Popular Related Questions
Q1: How long should I practice putting?
15–20 minutes before a round for warm-up, plus 2–3 focused sessions a week.
Q2: Should I switch my putter?
Only if your current putter doesn’t fit your stroke style or alignment preferences.
Q3: What’s the fastest way to lower scores?
Eliminate 3-putts and get automatic inside 5 feet.
Q4: How can I stop the yips?
Light grip, focus on tempo, and try “eyes closed” drills to reset feel.
Q5: How do I read greens better?
Walk your line, feel slope with your feet, and check from multiple angles.
