Struggling with your putting game? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Putting accounts for nearly 40% of all strokes in a typical round, making it a critical aspect of the game for lowering scores. But we’re here to help you turn your putter into a birdie-seeking magic wand. The 18Birdies Golf School Putting Plan is designed to break down the essentials, provide targeted drills, and offer a personalized improvement plan that can help you achieve your scoring goals and have more fun on the course.
Why Putting is the Key to Lowering Scores
If you want to shave strokes off your scorecard and break your personal best, there’s no better place to start than on the greens. Putting is where good rounds become great and where the best separate themselves from the pack. The best part? You don’t need to be a power hitter to master putting—just a solid technique and the right mindset.
Want a sneak peek? Check out our intro video to see what the putting program at 18Birdies Golf School has in store for you.
The Fundamentals of Great Putting
A solid putting game starts with a strong foundation. Here are the key elements of a great putt:
- Stance: A balanced and stable stance is your launching pad for every great putt. Keep your feet shoulder-width apart, bend slightly at the knees, and distribute your weight evenly.
- Grip: Your grip should feel natural and relaxed. The goal is to hold the putter like you’re cradling a baby bird—firm but gentle.
- Alignment: Make sure your shoulders, eyes, and putter face are all lined up to your intended target line.
- Stroke Mechanics: With your stance set, ensure your eyes are over the ball, and your feet and hips are parallel to the target line. This setup will help you develop a consistent stroke where only your shoulders move back and forth.
By mastering these fundamentals, you're already halfway to draining more putts.
Tips to Improve Your Putting Today
Once you feel comfortable with your stance, grip, and alignment, here are some quick wins you can implement today to start seeing improvement:
- Focus on Distance Control: Try rolling putts to the edge of the green instead of aiming at a hole. This drill improves your feel for distance without the distraction of aiming at a specific target.
- Use the "Quiet Eye" Technique: Studies show that focusing on a specific point on the ball just before and during the stroke can improve accuracy. Find your “quiet eye” spot and lock in.
- Practice Short Putts Relentlessly: Mastering those knee-knockers from three to six feet is a game-changer. Set up a putting gate and practice hitting straight putts through it. Confidence from short range builds momentum for longer putts.
These tips will help you see immediate improvements, but if you're looking for more structured guidance, we’ve got you covered.
18Birdies Golf School Putting Plan
If you want more, check out the Putting Plan at 18Birdies Golf School. This comprehensive course covers every detail of your putting game—from stance to stroke to visualizing each putt. We break down the basics and give you actionable drills that you can practice at home or at your local putting green.
Our program is focused on mastering three key areas:
- Accuracy
- Control
- Consistency
With a mix of video lessons, progress assessments, and—most importantly—practical drills, this course will transform how you approach every green and boost your confidence to sink that next birdie.
Drills to Help You Master Putting
Here is a preview of some of the drills you will find in the 18Birdies Golf School.
The Ladder Drill
Putting isn’t just about hitting the ball straight. It’s about reading greens, visualizing your putt’s path, and managing slopes. That’s where the Ladder Drill comes in—one of our favorite exercises at 18Birdies Golf School.
Here’s how to do it:
- Grab 7 balls and pick a spot towards the end of your practice area to act as a barrier.
- For your first putt, try to get the ball as close to the barrier as possible without touching it.
- For the second putt, try to stop the ball just short of the first.
- Continue putting each ball, stopping when you either run out of balls or accidentally hit a previous ball.
If you hit the barrier or a previous ball, start over and aim for a bigger “ladder.” This drill will help you master distance control and touch, so you’re ready for anything the course throws at you.
Improve Your Distance Control
Ever feel like your putts are either too short or way too long? We’ve all been there, and it’s frustrating! That’s why we focus on helping you master distance control. You’ll learn how to gauge and manage putting distances more effectively, leading to fewer three-putts and more confidence over every putt.
Try the Touch Putting Drill. Here’s how it works:
- Grab 6 balls and a target like a tee, dime, or ball marker.
- Roll 3 balls towards your target using just your hand.
- Putt the 3 balls using the same amount of energy you used when rolling them.
This simple drill helps you get a feel for how much power to give a putt to get it to the hole. And it’s just one of many drills available in the 18Birdies Golf School.
Track Your Progress
Tracking your progress is key to improvement. Measuring your gains will show you just how far you’ve come. As you progress through the 18Birdies Golf School, you can measure your improvement in real-time through tiered assessments, helping your development stay on track. Check out one of our assessments on YouTube for a great way to set your putting baseline.
Try this assessment:
- Set up two stations, one 2 feet from the hole and another 20 feet away (about 7 paces).
- From the 2-foot station, putt 5 balls and record how many you sink. Do this twice.
- Move to the 20-foot station, putt 5 balls, and record how many you make. Repeat for another set of 5.
If you want to track and record your progress more consistently, download the 18Birdies app and dive into Golf School today!
Take Your Practice to the Course with 18Birdies
Practicing on the putting green is one thing, but taking that confidence to the course is where the real magic happens. With the 18Birdies app, you can track your putting stats, analyze your performance, and adjust your strategy accordingly. The 18Birdies exclusive 3D Greens feature helps you understand the detailed contours and breaks of each green you play on. By tracking Strokes Gained, you can measure the different parts of your game—including putting—compared to other players, giving you a complete picture of where you’re gaining or losing strokes. The more you practice and use these tools on the course, the more your putting stroke will become second nature, boosting your confidence as you stare down that next 6-foot putt.
Real Success Stories from 18Birdies Golf School
Still on the fence? Check out these stories from golfers like you who’ve transformed their putting game with 18Birdies:
"I have been diligently working through the Golf School functionality over the past two months, and the progress I have made is nothing short of remarkable. I started with a 127.8 handicap and, although I haven't yet played any new rounds of golf, I can now confidently hit any club in my bag. This is a significant improvement from where I began, and I owe much of this progress to the structured guidance and comprehensive features your app provides. Thank you for creating such a fantastic resource for golfers of all levels. Your app has made my practice sessions more effective and enjoyable. I am excited to continue using 18 Birdies and to see how much further I can improve my game!"
– Trevor in Minnesota
"By far the best and most useful app I tested. Even as a beginner, not playing on the big courses yet. Very comprehensive and helpful training drills, great UI design, and usability."
– Ashton (an iPhone user)
These are just a few of the many golfers who have improved their game with the 18Birdies Golf School. Join them and start your success story today!
Start Your Journey to Putting Perfection
Ready to elevate your putting game? Whether you want to lower your scores, boost your confidence, or just have more fun out there, the Putting Plan at 18Birdies Golf School is your ticket. Turn those missed putts into makes and start seeing the results you’ve always dreamed of.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your putter, fire up the 18Birdies app, and let's make some putts!
Happy Golfing,
Team 18Birdies
