Want to Know How to Aim Putts With Pro-Level Precision? This Surprisingly Effective Drill Improves Your Accuracy Immediately.

It seems like it shouldn’t be that hard—learning how to aim putts.

The hole is right there. It’s not like when you’re hitting it off the tee, trying to get the ball to travel relatively straight for 200 yards. 

But then, that’s exactly the issue. You’re playing on a much smaller scale, trying to hit a smaller target. Roll it just six inches to the left of the hole, and that’s still six inches too far.

Aiming a putt is a precision skill. And it’s one most amateur golfers still struggle with on a regular basis.

That’s why, as a golf coach, I had to come up with a drill that would teach golfers how to aim putts without overcomplicating things. This exercise makes it easy to visualize your target line and helps you find precision aim naturally.

I created this drill over twenty years ago, and I still use it with almost every student I work with today. It’s simple, easy for them to repeat on their own, and—the best part—it gets results almost immediately.

If you’re still struggling with the question of how to aim putts, you’re gonna love this drill. Let’s get into it. 

The Setup

First, you need three things (aside from your ball and putter):

• An alignment rod
• A Sharpie
• A golf tee

I like to have my students run this drill on a straight, uphill putt. So find an area where you can pull that off and decide where you want the ball to start. Use the Sharpie to draw a dot on the green where the ball will go. Don’t worry—you won’t hurt the green.

Next, position the alignment rod on the ground, pointing straight out from the dot on an uphill slope.

Place the tee in the ground on the end of the alignment rod opposite from the dot. The rod should now trace a straight line from the dot to the tee.

Roll the alignment rod just enough so you can use it as a guide to draw a 3-4” line leading straight out from the ball. Then pick up the alignment rod and set it to the side.

Set the ball on the dot. You should now have a short line leading out to the ball, pointing directly at the golf tee.

The Drill

The setup is about as complicated as it gets. Now all you have to do is practice hitting putts. 

Start with your ball on the dot.

Then take your regular putting setup, using the line in front of the ball to guide your aim. If you’ve got an alignment guide on your putter, square that line up with the line you drew on the green.

I love using the G-Track putter for this. I like to say this putter has “auto-aim.” You set it on the ground and it basically aims itself. You don’t have to adjust for a rounded bottom. Plus, it has both a single line representing your target line and two red lines on the back creating a visual chamber that makes lining up shots way easier.

Whatever putter you’re using, once you’re square to the target line, take your putting stroke.

The goal is to get the ball to hit the tee. If it veers to the left or right, try again, paying closer attention to your putter’s face orientation.

Why This is THE Drill for Learning How to Aim Putts

There are a few reasons why this is a remarkably effective drill for teaching golfers how to aim putts.

First, it offers clear visual feedback. You know the guide line in front of your ball should set you off on direct path to the target (assuming you’ve successfully set up your putt on a surface that doesn’t break). 

So if your ball rolls to the left of the tee, you know for certain that you’re closing the clubface and by how much. 

Having that tee as a target also turns putting practice into a game. If you miss it the first time, you’re likely to find it just by trying a few more times and making some instinctive corrections. In other words, you’re learning how to aim putts without overthinking it.

Now, you might be wondering why we just draw one short line in front of the ball instead of a long line that stretches out from both sides of the ball.

That’s because having a line behind the ball promotes a straight-back motion on the takeaway. I’m not a fan of that technique. I won’t go in-depth on the subject in this article, but long story short: I find that amateur golfers do best with a little arc on the backstroke.

All you really need to practice your putting aim is that one, short forward line. That’s the perfect visual to help you start the ball on the right path.

Pretty simple, right? Honestly, putting practice doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s simply a matter of identifying the details that actually matter and working them into your approach.

Give this drill a try the next time you’re on the practice green. 

Want More Help on the Short Game?

From putting to chipping to bunkers, to even specialty shots and situations…I cover it all in my bestselling short game book, The Easy Break. The secrets to mastering these tricky situations are as simple and straightforward as the five tips you just learned.

You’ll also get great practice drills for every short-game shot, learn how to diagnose and cure your most destructive errors, and more. 

Grab your copy of The Easy Break and get ready for a serious short-game breakthrough.

Let Me Know How It Goes!

Also feel free to jump into the comments right now and share what’s on your mind. Ask a question, share your own favorite putting drill, or just let us know where you’re from and where you’re playing this season.

If you’d like more tips and products specifically geared toward amateur and “experienced” golfers, visit us at VLSGolf.com! Our community is steadily growing, and we’d love to have you join the fun.