As the old saying goes, practice makes perfect. However, if you’re not practicing the right things, all that work will go to waste.
Have you ever stopped to really think about the way you’ve been practicing? Chances are, it involves hitting putt after putt from the same spot in an attempt to “groove” your stroke. If that sounds familiar, it might be time to change how you’re going about your practice.
Below, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Ed Oldham explains the power of variable practice — and shares three drills you can use to improve your putting.
An easy way to improve your putting
You’re on the practice green, grinding through 50 identical three-footers, hoping to “groove” your stroke. But once you’re out on the course, those straight putts vanish. In their place? Breaking 10-footers, slippery downhill sliders and unpredictable lag putts. Suddenly, your putting game stalls. Sound familiar?
That’s because traditional, repetitive putting practice doesn’t prepare you for real-world conditions. The fix? Variable practice — a smarter, brain-friendly approach that mimics the unpredictability of the golf course. By mixing up your practice, you build adaptability, feel and confidence — whether you’re a high-handicapper or flirting with scratch.
Let’s break down why repetition falls short, how variability boosts performance and three drills that will transform your putting game.
Why repetition doesn’t work
Hitting 100 of the same putt might feel productive, but it only prepares you for one scenario. Real greens, however, throw constant curveballs: different slopes, speeds and breaks. That kind of variety requires adaptability — not robotic repetition.
Think of repetitive practice like memorizing one song on the piano. When someone changes the key — or the song — you’re lost.
Motor learning research backs this up. According to Dr. Richard Schmidt’s Schema Theory, variable practice helps create a flexible mental blueprint. The brain learns to adapt, not just repeat. For high-handicappers, that means fewer three-putts. For advanced players, it builds the versatility needed to conquer complex greens.
The power of variable practice
Variable practice trains your brain to solve problems, not just execute motions. Instead of grooving one stroke, you’re constantly adjusting: stroke length, tempo, read and aim.
This dynamic approach creates what motor learning experts call a “generalized motor program” — your mental toolkit for adjusting to any putt, on any green. It’s the difference between learning to drive on one straight road versus mastering all kinds of terrain.
Ready to put this into action? These three drills introduce variability in a simple, effective way.
Drill 1: Short putts with varied targets
The Challenge: Short putts (3–5 feet) are scorecard killers. Under pressure, even a minor misread or misalignment can wreck your round.
The Drill:
- Find a straight 3-foot putt.
- Hit three putts with different target intentions:
- First putt: Aim for the left edge.
- Second putt: Aim for the right edge.
- Third putt: Aim for the center.
- Once you’re dialed in, move back to 4 feet, then 5 feet.
- Add difficulty by narrowing your margin (e.g., inside edge instead of full edge).
Why It Works: Varying your target builds face control and precision, not just repetition.
Drill 2: Lag putts with varied speeds
The Challenge: Lag putts (15–25 feet) often lead to three-putts if your speed control is off.
The Drill:
- Start at 15 feet from a hole (begin on flat ground, then add slopes).
- Hit three putts with different speeds:
- First putt: Past the hole.
- Second putt: Short of the hole.
- Third putt: Hole-high (within a 3-foot circle).
- Gradually move back to 20 and 25 feet.
Why It Works: This drill teaches you to calibrate tempo and swing size for various distances. You’re building feel, not formula.
Pro Tip: During practice swings, look at the hole, not the ball. This enhances tempo awareness and mimics how tour pros develop feel.
Drill 3: Breaking putts with varied speeds
The Challenge: Breaking putts are doubly tricky: they test your read and speed. And pace affects break.
The Drill:
- Find a 10-foot putt with clear break.
- Hit three putts with three speeds, all with a chance to go in:
- First: Firm speed (less break, straighter line).
- Second: Die-at-the-hole speed (maximum break).
- Third: Medium pace (balanced line).
- Repeat from different angles to expose yourself to more reads.
Why It Works: Speed and break are intertwined. Learning how each affects the other builds a versatile green-reading skillset.
Pro Tip: Before each putt, visualize the exact path and speed. Commit to that mental picture before you stroke it.
Taking it to the course
Work through these drills twice a week, 15–20 minutes per session. Then bring the same mindset to your rounds:
- On short putts, pick a specific target (left edge, center, etc.).
- On lag putts, focus more on speed than line.
- On breaking putts, experiment with pace to find the best read.
With time, you’ll build a toolbox of adaptable putting habits and with it, shoot lower scores.
