The Ladder Drill: Improve Putting Speed

Want to lower your golf scores? Mastering putting speed is the key. The ladder drill is a simple yet powerful technique to improve your distance control and consistency on the green. Here’s what it offers:

Better speed control: Steady your stroke tempo for consistent putts.
Improved distance awareness: Develop a natural feel for varying putt lengths.
Immediate feedback: Adjust quickly to refine your technique.

Quick Setup:

Use markers to create evenly spaced intervals on a practice green.
Putt three balls at each marker, focusing on controlled acceleration.

Pro Tips:

Use a pendulum-like motion.
Adjust stroke length, not speed.
Track your progress to see improvement over time.

Start practicing the ladder drill a few times a week to sharpen your putting skills and lower your scores. Perfect for golfers of all levels!

Drill Setup Guide

What You’ll Need

Grab a putter, some golf balls, markers to mark distances, and a flat practice green.

How to Set It Up

Pick a spacious area on the green.
Place your first marker at your starting point.
Add more markers at increasing intervals to create a ladder-like setup.
Choose a target – this could be a hole or a specific marker.
Make sure all markers are aligned in a straight line for consistency.

Tip: Use brightly colored markers so they’re easy to spot during practice.

Once your basic setup is ready, tweak the distances to match your skill level.

Adjusting Distances

Set the marker spacing based on your experience level. Beginners can start with shorter distances, while experienced players can increase the intervals. The goal is to keep the spacing consistent to build a reliable sense of distance. If your space is limited, shorten the intervals but maintain even spacing throughout.

David Curtis, PGA – Ladder Putting Drill

Performing the Drill

With your markers in place, it’s time to go through each drill step with care and focus.

Basic Drill Steps

Here’s the process for every putt:

Address the ball with your eyes directly over it.
Take a practice stroke to estimate the distance.
Execute the putt with controlled acceleration.
Observe where the ball stops.

Repeat this for three putts at each marker before moving to the next one.

Key Technique Tips

Keep these points in mind:

Use a pendulum-like motion with your arms and shoulders.
Maintain a steady rhythm throughout.
Adjust the length of your stroke, not the speed.
Keep your head still until the ball has traveled.

For longer putts, focus on extending your stroke rather than increasing speed.

Fixing Common Mistakes

If your technique isn’t working as planned, check for these typical issues:

Mistake	Likely Cause	How to Fix
Ball comes up short	Deceleration at impact	Accelerate through the impact zone
Inconsistent distances	Irregular stroke tempo	Use a mental count: "1-2" for timing
Poor direction control	Moving your head too early	Keep your eyes down until the ball travels a foot
Ball rolls too far	Hitting the ball too hard	Focus on a smooth "roll" with controlled acceleration

Spend time practicing without aiming at a hole to improve your sense of stroke control.

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Drill Modifications

Changing Difficulty

After getting comfortable with the basic drill, tweak the setup to match your skill level. For example, you can adjust the ladder drill by altering the spacing between markers and the size of the targets. Beginners might start with shorter intervals and larger targets – like reducing a 10-foot spacing to something smaller to focus on pace control, while larger targets help minimize mistakes. As your skills improve, switch back to the original setup for a tougher challenge.

Measuring Success

Tracking Your Progress

Keep a practice log to note how many putts land in your target zones. This helps you spot patterns in your performance and identify areas that need improvement. Combining this tracking with a steady practice routine can make a big difference.

Establishing a Practice Routine

Work on the drill a few times each week, sticking to a consistent schedule. This steady approach helps you gradually improve your control over speed and distance.

Conclusion

Key Takeaways

The ladder drill is an effective way to sharpen your putting speed. By using graduated targets and consistent practice, golfers can build the necessary feel and touch for more accurate putting. Here’s what makes it effective:

Improved distance perception through focused practice
Better speed control for consistent results
Enhanced green reading skills for smarter play
Measurable progress with clearly defined target zones

Use these strategies alongside structured training to take your putting game to the next level.

Golf Training Resources

Looking to refine your putting skills even more? How To Break 80 offers specialized tools and guides to help you master your technique. Our putting improvement resources include:

Step-by-step video tutorials that demonstrate proper techniques
Downloadable practice tracking sheets to monitor your progress
Advanced drills tailored for golfers at different skill levels
Detailed eBooks on putting improvement strategies

Explore the full library of training materials at break80.guide.