How many putts miss because the ball wobbles off-line immediately? The issue is rarely your read—it’s a putter face that isn’t square at impact.
Even with a perfect setup, subtle strokes can leave the face slightly open or closed, dooming the putt from the start.
The solution is a simple drill that provides instant feedback. You only need a chalk line, four tees, and a completely flat putting surface.
Step 1: Build Your “Truth-Telling” Gate
1. Find a Flat Spot: identify a perfectly flat part of the practice green where you can identify a four-foot dead straight putt.
2. Snap the Line: Create your definitive “True North” by snapping a straight chalk line from the centre of the hole four feet back on that straight line putt.
3. Build the Ball Gate: Approximately 18 inches down the line, place two tees on either side of the chalk line. The precision is critical: the gap must be just wider than a golf ball, allowing only about 3mm of clearance on each side. This tiny margin is what makes the drill so effective. (Photo 1)
Step 2: Add the Putter Gate & Execute
1. Place the Ball: Set a ball on the chalk line, only 18 inches back from the ball gate you just built.
2. Build the Putter Gate: Place two more tees just outside your putter head, creating a gate for your club. This ensures your stroke path is straight back and through. (Photo 2)
3. Execute the Putt: Your only goal is to make a smooth pendulum stroke and send the ball through the gate without a sound. Focus on the feeling of the putter face moving squarely along the line.
Step 3: Learn from the Instant Feedback
- SUCCESS: A clean, silent pass through the gate means a perfectly square face at impact. (Photo 3)
- FAILURE: The dreaded “click” of the ball hitting a tee is a clear diagnosis:
Click the Left Tee = Closed Putter Face. (Photo 4)
- Click the Right Tee = Open Putter Face. (Photo 5)
Step 4: Measure Your Progress
Start with ten putts. It’s a humbling experience—initially, achieving four or five successful putts is common and reveals hidden inconsistencies.
Your goal is to build consistency. Aim to successfully make 7 or 8 out of 10 putts before you finish your practice.
Conclusion: Calibrate for the Course
This drill is the most direct system for improving your start line. A few minutes of practice before a round calibrates your stroke and builds confidence. You will step onto the first green trusting your ability to start the ball on your chosen line.