Stop Three-Putting: 7 Pro Secrets to Transform Your Putting Game

Three-putt nightmares destroying your scorecard again?

You've mastered hitting fairways and greens, but those extra putts are silently adding strokes to your game.

It's the most frustrating feeling in golf—playing tee-to-green like a champion only to walk away with bogeys or worse because of your putting.

Here are the 7 proven putting secrets that will help you slash those three-putts instantly and finally see the scores your ball-striking deserves.

1. Trust Your Process

The foundation of good putting is having a routine you trust.

Develop a consistent approach for every putt:

• Walk behind the ball to read the overall slope

• Check the green from the side to gauge uphill/downhill movement

• Pick your line and commit to it

• Take one or two practice strokes to feel the distance

• Step up to the ball with confidence

• Execute without second-guessing

• Keep your routine efficient—standing over the ball too long typically leads to doubt and mechanical overthinking

• Always trust your first read—your initial instinct about how a putt will break is usually right

You'll find yourself more relaxed over the ball when you trust your routine. Even the best putters in the world have a specific routine they follow religiously.

2. Focus on Speed Control

Speed trumps line almost every time in putting.

A putt with perfect speed but slightly off-line often ends up closer to the hole than a putt with perfect line but poor speed.

Speed Control Hacks:

• Before your round, spend 10-15 minutes on the practice green hitting putts of various lengths

• Try the "ladder drill": place balls at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet from the hole and practice hitting each distance consistently

• Visualize a larger target (like a trash can lid or hula hoop) around the hole for longer putts

• For putts beyond 20 feet, focus on getting the ball within a 3-foot circle of the hole rather than making it

One helpful mental approach: imagine how hard you would roll the ball with your hand to reach the hole. This natural instinct can guide your putting stroke's power.

3. Reading Greens Effectively

Many amateurs miss putts not because of poor stroke but because of incorrect reads.

As I explored in the four-putt bogey lessons, understanding green reading fundamentals can transform your putting game.

Green Reading Tips:

• Assess the macro features first (is the entire green sloping one way?)

• Look at the green as you approach it, not just when you're ready to putt

• Pay attention to how other players' putts roll

• Watch how approach shots and chips react when they land on the green

• Remember that slower putts break more than faster ones

• When in doubt, give the putt slightly more break rather than less

A common rule that works surprisingly well: putts tend to break toward water hazards or low points around the green.

4. Technical Adjustments That Make a Difference

Sometimes small changes to your setup or equipment can lead to big improvements:

• Grip pressure: Keeping your grip light allows for better feel and touch

• Eye position: Try to position your eyes directly over the ball

• Grip style: Experiment with conventional, cross-handed, or claw grips

• Putter type: Some players perform better with a mallet putter, others with a blade

• Stroke length: Control distance by adjusting how far back you take the putter, not how hard you hit it

A 2023 study in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that golfers who implemented these techniques saw a 22% reduction in three-putts over a 10-round period.

Setup Fundamentals:

For a consistent putting stroke, focus on these critical setup positions:

• Eyes over the ball: Position your eyes directly over or slightly inside the ball for optimal line visibility

• Hands under shoulders: This promotes arm-shoulder movement and reduces wrist action

• Hips over heels: Ensures proper weight distribution and balance throughout your stroke

• Forearm-shaft alignment: Your forearms should be an extension of the putter shaft, creating a straight line

• Weight distribution: Keep slightly more weight (55/45) on your lead side for a level stroke

• Square face alignment: Ensure your putter face isn't toe-up or toe-down, which can throw off aim by several degrees

• Consistent stance width: Keep feet, knees, and hips at approximately the same width for stability

For more equipment insights, check out my guide to mastering golf bag essentials to ensure you're using the right tools for your game.

5. Effective Practice Drills

Practice with purpose using these proven drills:

The Gate Drill

Place two tees slightly wider than your putter head a few inches in front of your ball.

Practice hitting putts through the "gate" without touching either tee. This ensures you're starting the ball on your intended line.

Circle of Success

Place 8 balls in a circle around a hole, all about 3-4 feet away.

Your goal is to make all eight consecutively. If you miss one, start over. This builds confidence with those key short putts.

The Clock Drill

Place balls at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions around the hole at different distances.

Work your way around the "clock" practicing different breaking putts from various angles.

4-Corner Drill

Position four balls at equal distances around a hole, creating different breaking putts.

Don't move to the next ball until you've holed the current one. This teaches you to read different breaks.

6. The Mental Game

Putting is as much mental as it is physical.

My article on mental golf game enjoyment strategies offers deeper insights into this critical aspect.

• Visualize the ball going into the hole before you putt

• Don't worry about looks or style—focus on results

• Accept that even pro golfers miss short putts

• For longer putts, focus on two-putting rather than trying to make everything

• Remember that speed control is more important than perfect line

Try the “Look and Shoot” approach developed by Cameron Strachan. This method helps you tap into natural learning by getting out of your own way.

Simply look at your target, get a feel for the putt with a practice stroke while looking at the hole, then step in and putt without overthinking.

Some golfers count or hum a tune during their stroke to keep their conscious mind busy, allowing their subconscious to handle the putting motion.

This approach has helped many golfers reduce their three-putts dramatically without changing their technique.

7. Green Speed Adjustments

When playing different courses with varying green speeds:

• Always spend time before your round on the practice green

• Hit several long putts to get a feel for the day's speed

• Notice if the greens are wet (slower) or dry (faster)

• Pay attention to uphill and downhill differences

• Be prepared to adjust throughout the round as greens dry out or receive sun

Remember that your golf handicap reality check should include an honest assessment of your putting skills to help you play more enjoyable rounds.

And That’s It

Putting doesn't have to be complicated.

Focus on speed control, develop a consistent routine, and practice with purpose. Even the best golfers in the world miss putts—it's part of the game.

With dedicated practice and these practical tips, you'll see those three-putts disappear and your scores drop.

Unlike expensive swing changes or new drivers, improving your putting requires minimal equipment and can deliver immediate results.

So head to the practice green, and watch those strokes melt away from your scorecard!

What's your favorite putting drill or tip? Let me know in the comments below!

-Hakan

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