Putting makes up nearly half your strokes in a round — and missed putts can quickly add up. The right training aids can help you groove a consistent stroke, improve your alignment, and develop the feel needed to sink more putts.
Understanding Your Putting Stroke
Putting is not just about hitting the ball straight — it’s about face control, path consistency, and speed management. A small flaw in setup or stroke can cause big misses.
1. Alignment & Setup
The Problem:
- Eyes not over the ball
- Misaligned shoulders or feet
- Inconsistent ball position
- Poor putter aim at address
Training Aids That Help:
- Putting Mirrors – show eye position, shoulder alignment, and putter face at address.
- Chalk Line / String Line – creates a visual target line to groove aim.
2. Stroke Path
The Problem:
- Outside-in or inside-out stroke
- Putter head wobbling through impact
- Inconsistent arc vs. straight-back stroke
- Overactive hands instead of shoulders
Training Aids That Help:
- Putting Gates – small gates for the ball or putter head to roll through.
- Rail Systems – force you to keep the putter square and on path.
- Arc Trainers – guide your stroke to match a natural arc.
3. Speed & Distance Control
The Problem:
- Leaving putts short or blasting them past the hole
- No feel for different green speeds
- Decelerating or “jab” stroke
- Poor tempo and rhythm
Training Aids That Help:
- Putting Mats with Distance Markers – practice consistent roll and pace.
- Metronome / Tempo Trainers – help maintain a smooth, repeatable stroke tempo.
- Distance Putting Games – ladder drills with tees or coins to dial in speed.
4. Confidence on Short Putts
The Problem:
- Struggling inside 6 feet
- Pushes/pulls due to face misalignment
- Fear of missing leads to tension in stroke
Training Aids That Help:
- Hole Reducers – smaller practice cups to make the real hole look huge.
- Pressure Putt Trainers – return the ball only if you hit the perfect line and pace.
- Chalk Line Drills – build trust in your start line.
Drills to Fix Your Putting
- Gate Drill – place tees or a putting gate just wider than your putter head. Forces square contact.
- Coin Drill – putt over a coin a few feet in front to improve start line control.
- Ladder Drill – putt to tees set at increasing distances to master pace.
Pro Tips for Using Putting Aids
Start With Alignment
Most missed putts come from setup mistakes. Use a mirror or string line to fix your fundamentals first.
Practice With Pressure
Mix in aids that challenge you under “game-like” conditions — like hole reducers or return trainers.
Build Feel, Not Just Mechanics
Speed control comes from practice. Use mats and drills that train your touch on different lengths.
Track Progress
Keep notes on your make percentage from key distances. Training aids are most effective when you can see improvement over time.