Stop missing short putts by trying this teacher’s 4-foot drill

When missing short putts becomes a (bad) routine, it can add tons of strokes to your scorecard. (I would know, as this is something I’m personally experiencing as I get back to the course this spring.)

You can do everything right on a hole — drive it with accuracy and length, have a nice approach shot and put yourself in position for birdie or par — but missing putts within a few feet can deflate a player. It can cause frustration and over-thinking, which is never a good place to be.

But there are certain drills to help you master the short putts, leading to more confidence and lower scores.

One of the better ones comes from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Cameron McCormick, who recently posted a video of a four-foot putting drill that is both challenging and rewarding. So take a look below to see what McCormick suggests practicing before your next round.

In the video above, McCormick’s four-foot drill incorporates eight tees, using them as barriers around the cup.

He says to group them in pairs, setting them up “one thumbs-width apart” in each direction around the hole (north, south, east, west). The photo below is how it should look.

Next, it’s important to determine your putting distance. In this drill, McCormick is working on four-foot putts, so he suggests marking the green with a Sharpie from that distance all around the hole. You can use a ball marker, tee or coin, too.

Similarly, feel free to adjust the distance. If you’re missing short putts from within four feet, move the starting point closer.

Finally, to accomplish the short putting drill, McCormick says a player must “make all four putts without touching a tee.”

As someone who tried this before his last round, I can tell you it’s difficult to complete. In fact, I recommend spending a good 45 minutes practicing to really get the look, feel and speed of a short putt — which means dedicated repetitions, rather than something you might rush before a round.

By utilizing the drill above, you’ll start to gain more confidence on the greens in no time.

Nick Dimengo

Golf.com Editor