Every golfer wants lower scores. Adding distance off the tee is a big advantage, but once you reach the green, your putter decides whether that drive becomes a birdie or slips into a bogey. Nearly half of your shots in a round happen on the greens, which means improving your putting is one of the most reliable ways to save strokes and play better golf.
With the 18Birdies app, you can track every shot, uncover trends in your performance, and turn those insights into a practice routine that actually lowers your scores. This guide will show you how to use your own stats to build a simple, effective, data-driven putting plan tailored to your game.
Step 1: Track Your Putting Stats with 18Birdies
Smarter practice starts with understanding your true performance on the greens.
Using 18Birdies, you can log every putt you take during a round, including the number of putts on each hole and the distance of your first putt. Over time, these stats reveal where you are gaining strokes and where you are giving them away.
Instead of just looking at total putts per round, you'll start to see patterns like if three-putts keep sneaking in from long range or if short ones under six feet are adding strokes.
With Smart Tracking, 18Birdies records your entire round seamlessly. When you finish, you will get Strokes Gained insights, including putting performance compared to other golfers with a similar handicap—so you know if your putting is helping or hurting your score.
Pro tip: Start tracking today. The more rounds you log, the clearer your improvement roadmap becomes.
Step 2: Identify Your Weak Spots
Once you have logged a few rounds, it is time to let the numbers do the talking. Your putting stats will highlight patterns that may surprise you.
Look closely:
- Are most of your three putts happening from 20 feet and beyond?
- Are short putts inside six feet quietly hurting your score?
- Are you leaving too many first putts outside easy tap-in range?
These trends reveal exactly where your practice should go. Instead of guessing, you will know if you need to focus on long lag putts, mid-range pace control, or those nerve-wracking short ones. Taking time to analyze this data is what transforms casual practice into real improvement.
Step 3: Build a Focused Practice Plan
With your weak spots clear, it is time to build a plan that directly targets them. Random putting practice will not get you far. You need drills that replicate the situations costing you strokes.
- Long putts holding you back? Work on lag putting and speed control from 20-40 feet.
- Short putts shaky? Try "Around the World" or ladder drills inside six feet to build confidence.
- Mid-range misses? Practice reading subtle breaks and dialing in pace on 8-15 footers.
You can work these into quick pre-round warm-ups or dedicate entire sessions to putting. The goal is to practice with purpose so every rep builds skill you will actually use on the course.
Need more ideas for effective putting drills? The 18Birdies Golf School has a library of video lessons and guided practice plans you can follow between rounds.
Finish each practice by tracking your progress in 18Birdies. Seeing improvement in your stats over time keeps you motivated and focused on the right areas.
Step 4: Keep Improving Off the Course
Improvement does not stop when you leave the course. Practicing at home keeps your putting sharp and makes your next green session more productive.
Tools like the PrimePutt putting mat replicate real green speed and roll, so your indoor reps translate to the course. Try:
- Ten minutes before work rolling putts from different distances.
- Short-putt sessions while watching TV, focusing on a smooth, consistent stroke.
- Pressure challenges, like making five in a row from six feet, to simulate on-course nerves.
Combine these at-home reps with your 18Birdies stats to stay on track. If your numbers show lag putting is weak, practice longer rolls. If short putts are the issue, create high-pressure challenges.
Want quality practice gear? Premium members can unlock exclusive deals on training aids, mats, and more through Clubhouse Collections. It's an easy way to upgrade your home setup while you work on your putting.
Build focused habits now so you can step onto the first green knowing you're ready to sink more putts.
Putting It Into Action
The quickest path to better golf isn't a new club - it's knowing where to practice, and why. By tracking your putting stats with 18Birdies, spotting your weak spots, and building a focused practice plan, you can make every session count.
Stay consistent, review your progress regularly, and let the data guide you. Smarter putting practice today means fewer strokes and more birdies tomorrow.
Ready to Putt Smarter?
Download 18Birdies and start tracking your putting stats now. Your best putting is just a few smart practice sessions away.
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