How to Make More Short Putts: The Best Drills for Inside 6 Feet

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How to Make More Short Putts: The Best Drills for Inside 6 Feet

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How to Make More Short Putts: The Best Drills for Inside 6 Feet

Missing short putts is one of the most frustrating things in golf. You do all the hard work getting to the green, only to walk away with a bogey or worse from a short distance. But the good news is, with the right drills and practice habits, you can dramatically improve your short putting and start turning those nervy 4-footers into tap-ins.

This guide breaks down how to build confidence inside six feet by focusing on alignment, grip, technique, and simple, effective drills.

Why Short Putts Matter More Than You Think

Inside six feet is where rounds are saved or lost. Most missed short putts don’t come from bad greens or unlucky breaks, they come from a lack of trust, poor alignment, or rushed execution.

When You Miss Short Putts:

You lose confidence.
You add pressure on the next hole.
You let strokes slip away needlessly.

When You Make More Short Putts:

Your entire round feels easier.
You build positive momentum.
You gain a psychological edge over your playing partners.

The goal is to take the mystery and nerves out of short putting. Let’s break down how.

Step 1: Start with the Fundamentals

1. Grip

Hold the putter lightly (about a 4 out of 10 pressure).
Use a grip style that feels natural (conventional, cross-handed, claw, etc.).
Keep your hands quiet and stable through the stroke.

2. Setup and Alignment

Eyes should be directly over or just inside the ball.
Feet, hips, and shoulders square to the target line.
Ball position just forward of centre.
Make sure the putter face is square at address, this is the most important factor in short putt success.

3. Stroke Mechanics

Keep your stroke simple and compact.
Focus on pendulum motion: rock the shoulders, don’t flip the wrists.
Keep your head still until well after the ball is gone.

Step 2: Drills That Build Confidence Inside 6 Feet

Drill 1: The Circle Drill

This classic is popular for a reason.

How to Do It:

Place six to eight balls in a circle around the hole, all about 3 feet away.
Try to make every putt in a row.
If you miss one, start over.

Why It Works:

Builds pressure and focus.
Forces you to get comfortable with different angles.
Helps you commit to every stroke.

Drill 2: The Gate Drill

Helps you deliver the putter square through impact.

How to Do It:

Set up two tees just wider than your putter head.
Putt through the gate without touching the tees.
Start with short putts, then move to longer ones.

Why It Works:

Improves stroke path.
Builds awareness of face control.
Develops trust in your mechanics.

Drill 3: The Chalk Line Drill

Perfect for practicing alignment and straight strokes.

How to Do It:

Snap a chalk line on a flat section of green (or use a string).
Set the ball on the line and align your putter face to it.
Stroke the ball and keep it rolling along the line.

Why It Works:

Trains your eyes to see straight.
Builds alignment consistency.
Reinforces the feel of a square stroke.

Drill 4: Eyes Closed Drill

Teaches you to feel the stroke, not guide it.

How to Do It:

Hit 5 short putts with your eyes closed (start at 3 feet).
Focus on tempo and feel, not results.
Then open your eyes and repeat.

Why It Works:

Builds awareness of your rhythm.
Trains you to trust your stroke under pressure.

Drill 5: 1-2-3 Drill

Simulates increasing pressure with progressive putts.

How to Do It:

Place three balls at 3, 4, and 5 feet.
Make all three putts in order.
If you miss any, start again.

Why It Works:

Mimics pressure situations.
Trains focus and consistency as the distance increases.

Step 3: Practice With a Purpose

Quality Over Quantity

Don’t just bang 50 short putts and call it practice. Make every stroke matter.

Stick to a few focused drills.
Track your success rate.
Practice like you’re playing.

Use a Pre-Shot Routine

Bring your full routine into every practice putt:

Visualise the ball going in.
Take a calming breath.
Commit to your target and make the stroke.

Stay Calm Under Pressure

Short putts can create anxiety. Fight that with habits:

Practice under small amounts of pressure.
Keep your head still and breathe slowly.
Trust your technique, don’t overthink it.

Final Thoughts: Turn Short Putts Into Easy Points

Making short putts isn’t about magic. It’s about preparation, trust, and smart practice. The more familiar you become with your stroke, your alignment, and your feel, the easier these putts will feel on the course.

Start small:

Pick one or two drills that suit you.
Stick with them until you see progress.
Don’t forget to use your pre-shot routine, even in practice.

With just a little focused effort, you’ll gain the confidence to stand over every short putt knowing it’s going in. And from there, your scores are bound to drop.

Golf is a game of skill, strategy, and precision. For players of different abilities, competing fairly can be a challenge without a standardized system. That’s where the golf handicap comes in, ensuring a level playing field for all golfers, from beginners to professionals. In this guide, we’ll dive into why having a handicap is beneficial and answer essential questions like what should my handicap be, how long does it take to get a handicap, and more.

What is a Golf Handicap?

A golf handicap is a numerical measure that represents a golfer’s potential skill level. It helps players of different abilities compete fairly, by adjusting the number of strokes a golfer is allowed to take. In essence, the lower the handicap, the better the player.

For example, if Golfer A has a handicap of 5 and Golfer B has a handicap of 15, Golfer B will receive additional strokes to even out the competition, making it fair for both players.

Encourages Goal-Setting and Personal Challenges

For many golfers, lowering their handicap is a key goal. This system encourages players to focus on improving specific areas of their game and set personal goals. As you see your handicap drop, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment that drives you to keep practising and improving your skills.

Facilitates Tournament Participation

Many tournaments require participants to have an official handicap. Without one, you might miss out on a wide range of opportunities to compete in organised events at local clubs, amateur competitions, or even larger tournaments. Having a handicap ensures you’re eligible for these events and that you can compete fairly.

Supports Strategic Course Management

Knowing your handicap also allows you to make smarter decisions on the course. Players with higher handicaps might focus on playing conservatively, while lower handicap golfers can take more risks. By integrating your handicap into your strategy, you’ll improve your overall performance and learn to manage the course more effectively.

What Should My Handicap Be?

One of the most common questions new golfers ask is, what should my handicap be? For beginners, it’s typical to start with a high handicap, such as 20-36 for men or 20-40 for women. As you gain experience and improve, your handicap will decrease.

For an average golfer, handicaps usually range between 10-20. Experienced players often have handicaps under 10, and professionals typically play with a handicap close to zero or even in the “plus” range. The goal is to keep improving your game and lowering your handicap over time.

What Are Professional’s Handicaps?

How Long Does It Take to Get a Handicap?

A common query from new players is, how long does it take to get a handicap? Getting an official handicap typically requires submitting scores from 3 to 5 rounds of golf. These scores are used to calculate your handicap based on your performance and the difficulty of the courses you’ve played.

Once you’ve established a handicap, it will be updated as you play more rounds and submit additional scores. It’s essential to keep tracking your scores regularly to maintain an accurate handicap.

At The Golf Collective to establish a handicap, you’ll need to complete 54 holes. You can achieve this by playing three 18-hole rounds, six 9-hole rounds, or a combination of both. Ensure your scores are verified by a playing partner and submitted according to our straightforward guidelines. Be sure to keep your scorecard for each round.

How The Golf Collective Can Benefit You

You can submit all of the rounds you play, not just at your ‘home course’. You can play at any course recognized for handicapping, and your scores will still be valid. Our system allows you to enjoy golf wherever you choose while ensuring your handicap stays accurate and up to date.

Unlike clubs that rely on manual scorecards, our mobile scoring system offers a convenient, paperless solution for submitting your scores. This allows for quicker handicap updates and provides a more streamlined, modern golfing experience.

At The Golf Collective, you can enjoy a social round anytime, anywhere, and still have it count toward your handicap. Our flexible system lets you play on your schedule while keeping your handicap accurate and up to date.