Tips for Starting the Spring Golf Season Right!

After a long winter recess, getting back into the swing of things, especially with putting, is crucial for women golfers looking to start the season strong. Here are some effective putting practice routines tailored specifically for women golfers:

1. Start with the Basics: Begin your putting practice by revisiting the fundamentals. Focus on your setup, grip, stance, and alignment. Use alignment aids such as alignment sticks or markers to ensure your body and putter are positioned correctly.

2. Distance Control Drill: Set up a series of tee markers or cones at varying distances from the hole, starting from short distances and gradually increasing the length. Practice controlling your distance by hitting putts to each marker, focusing on achieving consistent speed and pace.

3. Gate Drill: Place two alignment rods or tee markers on the green, creating a narrow gate just wide enough for your putter head to pass through. Practice rolling putts through the gate, focusing on keeping your putter path straight and your stroke consistent.

4. Clock Drill: Imagine the hole as the center of a clock face, with markers positioned at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock around it. Start at one marker and putt to the hole, then move to the next marker and repeat. This drill helps improve your distance control and feel for different putt lengths.

5. Pressure Putt Challenge: Create a series of challenging putts with varying breaks and distances, simulating game-like pressure situations. Challenge yourself to hole a certain number of putts in a row or to make a specific number of putts within a set timeframe. This helps build confidence and resilience on the greens.

6. Visualization and Routine Practice: Spend time visualizing successful putts before stepping up to address the ball. Develop a pre-shot routine that includes visualizing the line, taking practice strokes, and committing to your putt with confidence. Consistency in your routine can lead to improved performance under pressure.

7. Track Putting Stats: Keep track of your putting statistics during practice sessions, including the number of putts per round, three-putt avoidance, and percentage of putts made from different distances. Analyzing your stats can help identify strengths and weaknesses in your putting game and guide your practice priorities.

8. Simulated Game Putting: Set up a mini-putting course on the practice green, incorporating obstacles, slopes, and varying hole locations to simulate on-course conditions. Practice reading greens, adapting to different speeds, and visualizing successful putts as you navigate the course-like setup.

9. End with a Putting Game: Finish your putting practice session with a friendly putting game or competition with friends or fellow golfers. Whether it’s a game of H.O.R.S.E., a putting contest with rewards for sinking consecutive putts, or a match play format, adding a competitive element can make practice more engaging and enjoyable.

Consistent and focused putting practice is key to sharpening your skills and regaining confidence after a winter hiatus. Incorporate these putting drills and routines into your practice sessions to improve your performance on the greens and start the season off on the right foot.

Let us know if any one of these drills helps your game. If you have one you’d like to share, send us an email at editor@golfgurls.com