3 Practice Drills in 10 Minutes: Sharpen Your Putting, Fast

by David Bell

Not every golfer has hours to spend on the practice green. But even 10 focused minutes can make a noticeable difference in your putting confidence and consistency. Whether you're warming up before a round or working on fundamentals during the week, these three drills target the core skills that separate a streaky putter from a dependable one.

At Bell Putters, we believe every player deserves a custom fit not just in their equipment, but in their approach to practice. These drills are simple, quick, and incredibly effective for all skill levels. You’ll build better aim, stroke control, and distance feel—without overhauling your routine.

Why Short Drills Work

Putting isn’t just about mechanics. It’s about feel, rhythm, and trust. When you isolate one skill at a time and repeat it under light pressure, you start to internalize good habits.

That’s the goal with these drills: quick reps that sharpen muscle memory and mental focus.

Each of the following takes 3–4 minutes. Together, they form a 10-minute practice block you can return to anytime: at home, on the green, or before a round.

Drill #1: The Gate Drill

Focus: Start line + Face angle control

This classic drill is used by top professionals because it immediately reveals whether your putter face is square at impact.

Setup:

  • Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head, about 3–4 feet from the hole.
  • Set up a straight putt.
  • Create a “gate” with the tees that your putter must swing through without hitting either side.

How to Use It:

  • Hit 5–10 putts through the gate.
  • Watch the ball’s roll: does it start on your intended line?
  • If your stroke path is off or your face is open/closed, you’ll clip a tee.

Why It Works:

Most missed putts start with poor alignment or a face that isn’t square at impact. This drill trains your hands and eyes to control the face and start line. Over time, it builds trust in your stroke mechanics.

Bell Tip:

Pair this drill with a face-balanced putter if you tend to push or pull straight putts. Bell’s face-balanced models help keep the face square through impact.

Drill #2: The Ladder Drill

Focus: Distance control + Feel

Putting is all about pace especially outside of 10 feet. This drill improves your touch and teaches you to control your stroke length based on distance.

Setup:

  • Use four tees or ball markers to create targets at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet away.
  • Place them on a straight line, either toward a hole or just as distance markers.

How to Use It:

  • Start with one ball.
  • Putt to the 3-foot target. Then the 6, 9, and 12.
  • Try to land each putt just past its target, as if trying to “climb the ladder.”
  • Once you go up the ladder, try going back down without missing your targets.

Why It Works:

Most amateur putters lose strokes not from missed reads, but from poor speed. Practicing to specific distances forces you to adjust your rhythm and build consistent feel.

Bell Tip:

If you tend to struggle with speed, a counter-balanced or mid-length putter can help smooth out your tempo. Bell offers these builds in multiple head shapes and styles.

Drill #3: One-Ball Circle Drill

Focus: Pressure + Lag putting

This is your “pressure” drill. It simulates the mental focus needed to avoid three-putting and builds confidence from mid-range.

Setup:

  • Place 5–6 tees in a 3–4 foot circle around a hole.
  • Stand 20–25 feet away.
  • Use just one ball.

How to Use It:

  • Putt from 20–25 feet and try to land within the circle.
  • Wherever the ball ends up, go to that spot and finish the putt.
  • Repeat the full cycle 5 times.
  • Goal: no three-putts.

Why It Works:

This drill builds lag control and the ability to finish under pressure. Using just one ball simulates course conditions no repeats, no do-overs.

Bell Tip:

If you consistently leave lag putts short, consider a heavier head weight (375g+) for more forward momentum. Bell offers custom weight options from 340g to 480g.

Making the Drills Work for You

You don’t need to master all three drills every time you practice. Some days, you’ll focus on alignment. Others, you’ll tune up your feel. That’s the beauty of this 10-minute routine—you can rotate or repeat as needed.

Here’s a sample 10-minute session:

  • Minutes 1–3: Gate Drill   10 reps for start line and face control
  • Minutes 4–6: Ladder Drill   2 rounds up and down
  • Minutes 7–10: One-Ball Circle Drill   5 lag putts + cleanup

Use a timer or track with your watch. The time constraint helps you stay focused and efficient.

Bell Putters: Precision-Milled in Iowa. Built for Players Who Care.

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