Struggling with short putts? Retrain your hands with this quick-fix drill

In my most recent rounds of golf, there’s been a substantial difference in the amount of strokes I’ve taken on the putting surface — which has led to lower scores overall.

While every player wants to hit the ball more consistently off the tee with the driver, it’s the putter that can really shave strokes quickly. When you have the proper distance control, you’re going to leave your second putts closer to the hole. It really is that simple.

What’s not so simple is understanding how to bury those short putts, with many amateurs losing focus or simply mishitting shots within a few feet of the hole.

Just how important are those three-foot putts? The PGA Tour average for making them is 99.4%, meaning pro players make their money from within that short radius — and GOLF Top 100 Teacher Brian Mogg has an easy putting drill to help you do the same.

Try this short putt drill to lower your scores

As the video above shows, Mogg says that burying more short putts can simply come down to retraining your hands.

“[Here’s a] really good drill to retrain your hand so it knows what to do on its own, and then join together,” Mogg says.

While nothing is necessarily a quick-fix in golf — as it takes repetition to get the feel and comfort of something — the putting drill that Mogg demonstrates is as close to one as there is.

Start by getting your line and setting up over your ball as you normally would.

Putting

Next, grip your putter with just your right hand, taking the club back and hitting the ball as if you had both hands on the grip.

Now switch to just your left hand, doing the same swing motion as above, and hitting your ball towards the cup.

Finally, put both of your hands on the putter and confidently hit your ball, using the same grip pressure as you did with each arm individually. You should have the same feel with both hands on the club, which will provide a more consistent stroke.

By doing this short putt drill, you’ll begin sinking those crucial putts from 3-feet in, which will lower your scores and build your confidence on each hole. So give it a try the next time you’re on the practice green!

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor