Distance Control: 5 Things to Make You Consistent on the Greens

Distance Control: The art of the short game, the heart of lowering your scores. But it’s more than just aiming true. It’s about feel, about touch, about that mystical ability to judge distance and send the ball rolling right into the cup. This guide dives deep into your putting toolbox, equipping you with drills to transform you into a distance control maestro on the green. With consistent practice, you’ll be a magician with distance in no time!

Why Distance Control Matters

Distance control is the silent assassin on the putting green. It lurks behind every putt, from the delicate tap-in to the long, intimidating lag putt. Mastering distance control is the key to sinking more putts and leaving those dreaded three-putts behind. The following drills will hone your feel for different lengths, ultimately turning you into a putting machine.

Lag Putting Drills: Conquering Long Distances

Lag putting is all about getting that first putt nice and close on those long journeys to the hole. Here are some drills to sharpen your skills:

• The Ladder Drill: Step up your game with a ladder! Set up tees or markers at increasing distances from the hole (think 10 feet, 20 feet, 30 feet, and so on). Your mission: putt each ball in succession, stopping them all within a designated zone around the hole. This drill challenges you to control distance on a variety of lag putt lengths.
• Zone Putting: Imagine the green divided into zones based on distance from the hole. Practice putting from different areas, focusing on landing the ball consistently within the designated zone for that distance. This structured approach helps you develop a feel for various putting lengths.
• Random Distance Lag Putts: Feeling lucky? In this drill, ditch the pattern and choose random distances for your lag putts. This mirrors real-game situations where you’ll face putts of all different lengths. The unpredictability will make you a more adaptable lag putter.

Short Putt Drills: Perfect Touch Up Close

Short putts can be tricky devils, but these drills will have you holing them left and right:

• The Clock Drill: Channel your inner timekeeper with the clock drill! Place three balls at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock on the edge of a circle around the hole, representing different short distances. Sink each putt, aiming to stop it within a small radius of the hole. This drill refines your ability to control distance on those short, pressure-packed putts.
• The Close-In Gate Drill: Feeling fancy? Set up a narrow gate using tees or markers right around the hole. Practice hitting short putts through the gate, forcing you to focus on delicate touch and making sure the ball stops exactly where you want it to.
• Variable Short Putts: Keep your toes on their toes with this drill! Set up a series of short putts at random distances between 3 and 6 feet. Then, putt them in a random order, just like you would encounter on the course. This trains you to adapt your touch to different short distances on the fly.

Putting on Hills: Conquering Uneven Greens

Putting uphill and downhill adds another layer of challenge. These drills will help you master those slopes:

• Uphill/Downhill Targets: Find a sloped section of green and place markers or tees at different distances going both uphill and downhill. Practice putting from both slopes, adjusting your stroke to account for the elevation change. This will make you a distance control pro on all kinds of terrain.
• Sloping Ladder Drill: This drill combines distance control with reading slopes like a pro. Set up a ladder of markers going up or down a slope, with increasing distances the farther you go. Putt each ball, focusing on stopping it within the designated zone. This will help you master both distance and slope.
• Elevation Change Randomization: Feeling adventurous? Have a friend call out whether the next putt will be uphill or downhill just before you hit it. This will force you to quickly adjust your touch based on the elevation, mimicking the unpredictable situations you might face on the course.

Putting to Targets: Bullseye!

These drills will help you combine distance control with precise aiming:

• Circle Targets Drill: Place circle targets at different distances from the hole (3 feet, 6 feet, 9 feet, and so on). The goal is to putt each ball into its designated circle. This drill sharpens your accuracy by giving you specific targets for different distances.
• Gate-to-Gate Accuracy: Set up two gates using tees or markers, one close to your ball and one near the hole. The objective is to putt the ball through both gates. This drill emphasizes precision over short distances, promoting a consistent and accurate stroke.
• Targeted Distance Control: Sharpen your focus with targeted distances! Choose specific distances on the putting green (e.g., 15 feet, 20 feet, 25 feet). Practice putting to these targeted distances, aiming to consistently stop the ball within a small range around the hole. This drill refines your ability to control distance with pinpoint accuracy.

Sharpening Your Distance Control: Keeping It Consistent

Distance control is the cornerstone of your putting game. By consistently practicing these drills, you’ll not only develop a magical touch on the greens, but also gain the confidence to know exactly how far you can make the ball roll. Integrate these drills into your routine, and you’ll see a dramatic improvement in your putting precision and effectiveness. Here are some drills to help you solidify your distance control mastery:

• Continuous Putting Challenge: Channel your inner putting machine! Set up a series of putts at varying distances, from short tap-ins to long lag putts. The goal is to putt each ball in a row, focusing on maintaining the same smooth stroke and consistent distance control throughout. This drill will build muscle memory and help you transition seamlessly between different putt lengths.
• Progressive Distance Drill: Start slow and steady! Begin with some nice, easy short putts. After sinking a putt, move on to a slightly longer distance. Keep challenging yourself to maintain that same level of control as the putts get longer. This will train you to adapt your touch on the fly and judge distance for all sorts of putts.
• Simulated Round Putting: Take your practice to the course! Move around the putting green, picking different spots to putt from. Hit some short putts, some long putts, some uphill putts, some downhill putts. The idea is to mimic the kind of variety you’ll see in a real round of golf. This comprehensive drill will test your ability to control distance in all kinds of situations you might face on the course.

The Path to Distance Control Mastery: A Never-Ending Journey

Distance control is a skill that requires time and dedication to perfect. But the more you practice these drills, the more confident you’ll become in your ability to judge distance and sink those putts. Remember, mastering distance control is a journey, not a destination. With every putt you practice, you’re getting closer to becoming a distance control pro!