How to Practice Putting: 10-Putt Challenge at 5 Feet

If you’re passionate about golf, you’ve likely heard this golden advice from the pros: focus on your short game. Yet, many golfers, particularly beginners and intermediates, often find themselves drawn to the allure of powerful drives. While long shots are undeniably impressive, they won’t significantly lower your score if your putting game is inconsistent. This article dives into a simple yet transformative putting drill – the 10-Putt Challenge at 5 Feet – and offers practical insights to help you refine your putting skills.

Why Short Game Practice is Crucial

Golfers frequently underestimate the importance of the short game. According to the video, the creator admits to focusing too much on distance and power, leading to neglect of putting. After breaking the 100-stroke barrier by working on wedges, they realized that putting was still costing them strokes on the green. This is a relatable scenario for many recreational golfers who struggle with consistency in their short game.

Putting is where precision and muscle memory come into play. Knowing how to sink a five-foot putt consistently can make or break your scorecard. The video emphasizes the value of building muscle memory for specific distances, and the 10-Putt Challenge offers a fun and effective way to start.

The 10-Putt Challenge: How It Works

The 10-Putt Challenge is a simple yet challenging drill designed to improve your putting accuracy and train your muscle memory. Here’s how you can implement it:

Set Up Your Practice Zone:
You’ll need a way to measure five feet, such as a homemade alignment tool (described below) or a tape measure. Mark a five-foot radius around your starting point. Choose a flat surface or a putting green.
The Goal:
The objective is to sink 10 consecutive putts from five feet away. If you miss even one, you must start over from the beginning. This adds pressure and mimics the conditions of real gameplay, where every putt counts.
Focus on Muscle Memory:
The goal isn’t just to complete the challenge but to train your brain and body to instinctively recognize the five-foot distance. Over time, this will improve your consistency and confidence when faced with similar putts on the course.
Progress Gradually:
As explained in the video, start with five feet. Once you achieve consistency, you can increase the distance to 10 feet or more. But don’t rush – mastering shorter distances is key before moving on.

DIY Practice Tool: The 5-Foot Alignment Aid

To enhance your practice sessions, the video introduces a creative way to build a simple alignment aid using items from your local hardware store. Here’s what you’ll need and how to make it:

Materials:

An alignment stick (available at most hardware stores for $3–$5)
A plumb bob (a small weight with a string attached)
A 2-inch metal ring
String or twine
A drill with a suitable bit (preferably one made for metal)

Instructions:

Prepare the Alignment Stick:
Drill a hole into one end of the alignment stick to secure the string. Be cautious when drilling and ensure you have the correct drill bit for metal.
Assemble the Tool:
Tie one end of the string to the plumb bob and attach the other end to the metal ring. Measure and secure the string so that it marks exactly five feet.
How It Works:
To use the tool, place the plumb bob inside the ring on your starting point and pull the string taut. This setup allows you to measure a consistent five-foot distance for every putt. It’s a cost-effective alternative to pricier training aids and adds a touch of DIY charm to your practice routine.

Putting the Drill to the Test

The creator tested this setup on the course, aiming to complete 10 consecutive putts at five feet. While the challenge proved difficult, it highlighted key lessons:

Patience and Focus Are Essential: The mental discipline required to restart after a missed putt mirrors the pressure of real games.
Repetition Builds Confidence: Practicing repeatedly at a set distance helps engrain both the visual and physical memory of the stroke.
Purposeful Practice Is Key: Instead of aimlessly hitting putts, having a specific challenge fosters a sense of progression and achievement.

Even though the creator didn’t achieve 10 successful putts in a row during their first attempt, they found the drill invaluable – both for improving their skills and for bringing a structured purpose to practice sessions.

Additional Insights: Refining Your Short Game

While the video focuses primarily on putting, it also touches on broader aspects of the short game. The creator shared their progress with wedges, highlighting improved loft and control with their sand wedge. However, challenges remained with their pitching wedge, particularly achieving desired distances. For golfers facing similar struggles, here are a few tips:

Experiment with Ball Position: Adjusting the placement of the ball in your stance can impact loft and distance.
Focus on Swing Tempo: A smooth, controlled swing often yields better results than one driven by force.
Seek Feedback: If you’re unsure what’s going wrong, consider asking a coach or experienced golfer for advice.

Key Takeaways

Start Small: Master the five-foot distance before progressing to longer putts. Consistency at short distances builds confidence.
DIY Tools Can Work Wonders: A homemade alignment aid can save you money while providing functional benefits for your practice.
Practice with Purpose: Instead of mindlessly hitting balls, set specific challenges to simulate real-game pressure and foster improvement.
Short Game Wins Games: While driving for distance is thrilling, shaving strokes off your score often comes down to precision in your short game.
Patience Is Key: Success won’t come overnight, but disciplined, purposeful practice will pay off over time.

Final Thoughts

The 10-Putt Challenge is more than just a drill – it’s a mindset shift toward deliberate, purposeful practice. By focusing on your short game and incorporating structured challenges into your routine, you’ll see noticeable improvements not only in your technique but also in your confidence on the green. Whether you’re a beginner or an intermediate player, this approach can help you achieve lower scores and enjoy the game even more.

So, grab your putter, set up your five-foot alignment aid, and take on the 10-Putt Challenge. With persistence and practice, you’ll be sinking those five-footers in no time, impressing your peers, and taking your game to the next level. Happy golfing!

Source: "The Best Way to Practice Putting – 10 Putts in a Row or Bust!" – Brian del prado, YouTube, Aug 3, 2025 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwvhQHumuu0